Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - NY Palette - Illuminating, Rust and Ultimate Gray

I wanted to share this outfit with you first, because it contains the two colors that were chosen by the Pantone Color Institute as the colors of the year. Illuminating is a bright, sunny yellow. Pantone describes this yellow as, “Friendly and joyful, an optimistic yellow offering the promise of a sunny day.” Rust is typically a fall color, yet it is an earth tone, thus its inclusion in the spring palette. Ultimate Gray is a classic and comfortable gray that everyone can wear.

I have plenty of yellow in my closet. It is a color that has quickly become a favorite. I love the many different shades of yellow. I have mustard, sunflower, lemon, blonde and pineapple. Look up shades of yellow in your search bar and see all the fun names they give for these lovely pieces of sunshine. Illuminating is not really a different shade, but a different name for a shade that might also be called bumblebee, butter or dandelion.

Since I love the color so much, it was a no brainer that I add this thrifted, bright yellow, denim jacket to my closet. This is a brand called d & co, or denim and company. When I looked it up, it is a brand that is sold at retailers like QVC, Walmart and others. I like the relaxed style of this piece, as well as the 3/4 sleeves. It will be a great topper for cooler summer days.

We were back at the Toledo Botanical Gardens for pictures and things are starting to bloom over there. This tree was gorgeous and I had no idea what is was because the blooms were so big. It turned out to be a white magnolia. I grew up with a pink magnolia in my parents’ yard. I didn’t even know there were white ones.

You’ve seen my boho skirt on the blog before. I looked at other Rust colored options in my closet, but just wasn’t satisfied with how the outfit looked. Choosing this skirt not only gave me a print, but the perfect blend of classic and bohemian. This skirt is a brand called Notations, but I can’t remember where I got it. Ha, ha. You can see it styled with a green top and a different gray top.

This simple Ultimate Gray tee is from Kohl’s and is SO brand. I got this one and a red one a few years ago. I love that they are light weight, but still provide coverage. The hemline is a straight cut and the length is shorter, so perfect for wearing out. I did the front tuck, just for a more polished look.

When I was rummaging through my necklaces, I saw this one and thought it would pull in both the rusty oranges in the skirt and the yellow of the jacket and bag. To go with the coppery colors I also put on my thrifted beaded bracelet. My yellow diamond patterned tote was a fun find at a thrift store. Another thrift store find, my ID Required combat boots get plenty of wear.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear rust in the summer time or do you think it is a color strictly for fall? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments. Your comments keep me motivated to keep providing content to you all.

I’m providing a few shopping links for you to look over in your spare time. These are affiliate links brought to you at no cost. When you click on a link, I get a few pennies, so I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.

Photo and graphic Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - New York Palette: Introduction

I am a bit behind on the Pantone colors this year. I had a hard time getting back into the swing of regularly posting, but here I am. While we are a few weeks into spring, the Pantone colors for this season are for spring and summer. I don’t pay attention too much to their time table, because they already have the colors out for the fall/winter season. Who wants to think about fall/winter when we have barely made it into spring? Ha, ha.

Just as a quick review, the Pantone Color Institute is an entity that provides the color trends for both the fashion and interior design industries. If you go to their website you can see all sorts of information from color swatches you can order to educational opportunities. Obviously, these are not the only colors that you see trending on the runways, but Pantone is easily considered a color authority by both design areas.

Every year, Pantone chooses a color of the year. Last year it was Classic Blue. In 2019 it was Living Coral. This year they picked two colors, Illuminating, a sunny yellow and Ultimate Gray, which is a classic medium gray. Typically, the colors of the year are seen on both the New York and the London Palettes. As I have done in the past I will be starting my series with the New York Palette. This year, the palettes are quite dissimilar, which makes it more interesting for me, as I pick out outfits and for you, my lovely subscribers.

Here is the New York Palette.

This is a mix of jewel tones and pastels, so if you lean towards one or the other, this palette will make everyone happy. Rust is a different color for summer, but I think it can work well with many of the others colors. Once again there is a selection of classic colors, which to me are helpful if you want to tone down an outfit and just accent with the brighter colors through jewelry and other accessories.

The following are a few photos from our shoot which give you some sneak peeks at how I combined these colors.

I hope you will join me on Thursday as I start the series. Have a great day!

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Lady with a Twist

Today’s final Spring/Summer 2021 Trend is called Lady with a Twist. The idea behind this trend is taking classic feminine workwear pieces and adding casual, athleisure pieces for a blend that I often refer to as dressy casual. This trend could certainly be worn in most work places, but it also could be worn for a day out shopping or a walk in the park. Just make sure you have on your walking shoes.

My outfit is less about going to the office and more about looking fun and comfortable. I would definitely wear this to the coffee shop to work on writing projects or for a day running around with a girlfriend.

Everything in this outfit is thrifted, except the bag, which was a gift from my youngest. I am a lover of all things Edgar Allen Poe. My shoes were also a new purchase from DSW a few years ago.

I am sure, I have a bit of Lucille Ball in me, with all my silly facial expressions and antics. Ha, ha. Anyway, this thrifted skirt was a recent find. It appeared to be a piece that was altered. It must have been a much larger size and was brought in to make it smaller, so it has no brand name on it. It has a bit of a fit and flare silhouette, so is more fitted through the hips and bum, then flares outward towards the knees and ankles. It is lined, so no worries about having to wear a slip. The material is a medium weight and is covered with stitching giving it a textured feel. What really drew me to it, were the yellow sunflowers!

You’ve see this thrifted Paris tee on the blog before. It is such a great summer piece because it keeps me cool and comfy. You can see it worn with another maxi skirt, and olive pants.

This pale yellow zip up hoodie is a nice alternative to a cardigan or more structured blazer or jacket. Another thrift store fine, this is a brand called SB Active.

Since the look was a combination of feminine workwear and althleisure, I didn’t want to over accessorize, but I did add a couple of necklaces for an interesting layered look. I used my Poe tote bag for my purse and donned my Saucony sneakers.

What do you think of the Lady with a Twist trend? You certainly could do this in many different ways. Instead of a maxi skirt, wear a pencil skirt with a fun sweatshirt and platform sneakers. If skirts are not your jam, then wear a pair of joggers with a structured blazer, heels and a clutch. There are a lot of ways to carry this trend off. It is completely up to you.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Spark Joy

This trend is a bit different and I think really open to each individual’s own interpretation. The idea of Spark Joy is color and print combinations that make you feel like you are wearing a party. I actually enjoyed putting this together. You know I love print mixing and this pushed me even further outside of my color and print mixing box. Let’s take a closer look.

I got this Universal Threads, sun print top at Target at the same time I got my pastel colored eyelet shirt (seen last week on the blog). Once again, you can see the puffed sleeves. Usually, I am not a ruffle girl, but once in a while, I find something that doesn’t make me look like a clown and this top was one of those times. I think the gathering around the neck helps and that the ruffles are vertical rather than horizontal. Horizontal patterns on us larger ladies are harder to pull off, and that goes for ruffles as well. In fact, when placed as they are on this top, I think it balances out my wider bottom.

This is another LuLaRoe skirt that I found at a local thrift store. The thing I like about these maxi skirts is that I don’t have to worry about wearing a slip. They are comfortable and easy to wear. The fun patterns are great for print mixing as in this outfit, or you can pick any color in the pattern and match up to it. I know not everyone can wear a maxi skirt and I will include a few shopping links at the end for shorter printed skirts for those of you who prefer a midi or knee length style.

My floral, Erin London, bomber jacket you’ve seen before. It was a purchase from Shop National from their mark down section a few years ago. You can see it here with a floral top.

My accessories were simple since there was already plenty going on in this outfit. I chose another long pendant necklace, this time with some bling and fringe. I also opted for a wide black belt to make more of a definition between my top and the skirt. I added a few bracelets, my thrifted, black, a.n.a. loafer heels and my thrifted bucket bag. My daughter does not like this bag. What do you think? She doesn’t like the shape of it. I told her I would ask for your opinion, so be sure to comment below.

So what do you think of this crazy print mixing outfit? I do not really expect you to go out and wear something like this, but it is truly fun to experiment and push ourselves outside of our normal outfit ideas. Would I wear something like this? Probably not exactly as I have it here. I might swap out the skirt for a solid black skirt or pair of pants, or I might change the top for a solid tee. I might even wear the top and skirt together, but switch out the floral bomber for a solid cardi or light weight jacket. You can still have joy with bright colors and print mixing, but you can also look polished and classy.

I’m including a few shopping links for fun prints. Be sure to check those out. These are affiliate links. When you click on a link, I get a few cents. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I hope you are having a great week.

Spring/Summer Trends - 2021 - Wearing White, Bubblegum Pink and Ballerina Flats

You know how much I love color, so I was excited the Spring Trends for 2021 included a few fun colors. Once again, white is on the scene, and like pastels, seems to now be a year round staple. Winter whites this past winter were very popular and I felt it was an easier color for many to wear than a stark, brilliant white, but even bright white has a place, and this spring and summer it will have its day. In addition to white, this spring/summer season is heralding the addition of bubblegum pink. This bright, deep pink can be worn full on, or sprinkled. Just like ice cream toppings, you can decide if you want to drizzle or drench. Today’s outfit is a simple combination of these two colors. Let me know what you think.

My bright pink striped sweater is a thrift find from a few years ago. This Old Navy brand top is comfortable and light weight, so perfect for these still chilly days of spring. My biggest problem with pullovers right now are my belly flaps, or as they are more commonly known - the spare tire. I don’t really have as much of a bulge in the front, but definitely on my sides. At the suggestion of my daughter, I am discreetly hiding the fact behind my clutch. Ha, ha.

This picture is silly, but I put it in here for several reasons. First, I thought you might enjoy a good laugh. I think this was one of my dance moves: maybe the wave? The second reason has to do with what I did with my pullover top. I often do the front tuck. Doing this helps to hide some of the middle area bulge that many of us are carrying around. I did this as an after thought, so it isn’t as pretty as it could be, but you get the idea. Finally, I wanted you to see this maxi skirt that I have styled before on the blog. This St. John’s Bay skirt from JC Penny is one of my favorite summer pieces, as it is fully lined, has an elastic waist and groovy texture. You can see it styled with a green jacket and an orange striped tee.

I like to give you links to past posts, to show you the versatility of the pieces in your wardrobe and how they can be styled for different seasons and with different pieces. You don’t have to have a clothing fetish like I do to have a full and interesting wardrobe. Having a few key pieces, like a white skirt, whether maxi, midi or mini; a-line, pleated or pencil, will give you lots of options for warm weather looks.

I’ve included a couple of pictures that show you up close the details on the skirt.

Once again, I chose a long, pendant necklace. I also added a silver and gray stone bracelet. To keep my accessories similar I grabbed my silver clutch and my silver SO ballerina flats. As I said last week, low soles are back in style, so grab your flats and your sandals and walk in comfort.

Do you wear white in the summer time? Do you like this bright, bubblegum pink? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Eyelet, Luxe Leather, and Long Necklaces

I am continuing my look at Spring/Summer trends today with a focus on eyelet, metallic faux leather, and long necklaces. I have always like eyelet. I think it is a pretty, feminine material that is light weight, making it perfect for the warmer weather. Besides the feminine aspect of eyelet, I also like the textural element that a fabric like this adds to the outfit.

This top is Universal Thread brand. I added a similar colored tank top underneath for warmth. I thought it was appropriate that this top also has puffed sleeves since these are trending as well, as you saw last week. I personally like the puffed sleeve better when it is puffed at the end of the sleeve on a long sleeve top like last week’s. However, when I saw this top at Target, I fell in love with it, and I do like the way it looks. It will be a fun piece for summer with cropped pants and sneakers, or a skirt and flats.

The choice to wear my straight leg high waisted Gloria Vanderbilt jeans was a no brainer. The embroidered flowers on the leg, not only fit in with the fantasy floral trend, but they also went so well with the top. As I have said before, I am not getting rid of my skinny jeans, but I will gladly wear a pair of straight leg jeans on occasion.

You’ve seen this metallic faux leather moto jacket on the blog before. I got it at Nordstrom Rack and is a brand called Coffee Shop NY. It is a tad tight right now, due to my excess pandemic bulge, but I can still wear it open and I think it looks perfect with this outfit. You can see how I styled it with a camo shirt, and with a graphic tee and pin striped shirt combo.

Long necklaces are in this spring, as I mentioned before. I have quite a collection of pendant necklaces, like the one above, but I don’t think the trend is strictly limited to pendants. I think long dainty chains and multiple layers are trending too, so it really is what you want to make of it. I find almost all of my jewelry on clearance racks and at thrift shops. Once in a while I’ll get something brand new from one of my family members as a gift for Christmas, Mother’s day or my birthday, but otherwise I prefer cheap. Ha, ha.

My large pale green tote is making another appearance. I have used this numerous times on the blog and it was a purchase a few years ago from Charming Charlie. Big tote bags are also trending for spring. I think this often comes around again, because people are looking forward to traveling and going to the beach. We will see if Covid allows these simple pleasures in life again.

I figured since I was styling a moto jacket I might as well add my moto boots as well. You’ve also see these on the blog before too. These were a Kohl’s clearance purchase and are Sonoma brand.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like eyelet? Do you like to wear moto jackets? Wear do you get most of your jewelry from? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. You are what keeps this blog going. I know I don’t spend time talking about make up or hair products, and other fashion related ideas, but if you would like to see more of that kind of content, just leave a comment and let me know.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies if you click on a link. I appreciate all your clicks. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Puffed Sleeves, Pastels and Pops of Blue

I think most of you who follow me regularly know I love to combine ideas. For example, when I do my Pantone color series, I try to combine several colors at the same time. Part of why I do this is to save time, but it also stretches myself outside the normal, jeans and tees, types of outfits. I wanted to do the same thing with the Spring Trends, and today’s outfit also added the fun literary technique called alliteration. If you don’t already know what that is, it is the combining of words that all start with the same beginning sound. My grandson recently finished up a poetry unit at school. Why they think ten years olds need to know all the poetry terms and examples to go with them is beyond me. My grandson, came away with an unfortunate loathing for poetical form, which makes this writer sad. But I digress!

Today’s outfit revolves around three spring trends that we have seen before. Puffed sleeves keep coming back around, as do pastels. I think pastels are here to stay, as they can be used in so many ways as neutrals. The color blue is always classic, but I really liked the idea of using it as a pop of color in any outfit, so I might try to incorporate this trend into some of my future looks, just for fun.

I started this outfit with a recently thrifted top by John Paul Richard. I love the pattern and the puff sleeves. We often think of puffed sleeves as being puffy on the top, but on this particular top the puff is on the lower part of the sleeve. I won’t get a ton of wear out of this before the warmer weather hits as it is a heavier weight material, but it is perfect for those in between days. I also love the smocking on the bodice, through the back and upper sleeves. Having it loose through the body is a plus right now too, for my lovely love handles.

At first I had the top paired with some jeans that were more of a cognac color, but then I pulled out these blush Christopher & Banks trousers and thought it worked quite well. As you can see there is a light pink in the top, so my matchy mind likes the combination. However, I did like the way the top looked with the other colored pants as well, but I was trying to triple up on my trends. Ha, ha.

For my pops of blue, I added a beaded necklace, I got two Christmases ago, a couple of beaded bracelets with a few blue beads and my thrifted blue Nine & Co. bag.

The warmer weather always brings out my SO ballerina flats, and this year they are back on trend. However, the colors are more metallics and statement making patterns, but flat soles are in.

What do you think of these three trends? Do you like puffed sleeves? Do you like to wear pastels? Do you have any blue accessories that you can boost up your outfits with? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. Your comments help keep me blogging.

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

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Wide Leg Trousers, Fantasy Florals and Yellow Bags

It certainly seems that spring has settled in around here. I am fully aware here in the midwest, the temperatures will continue to fluctuate at least through April, so I am not breaking out the sleeveless tops and crop pants just yet, but sunshine is more present, the skies are that beautiful spring time blue, buds are on the trees and the grass is turning green. It is a wonderful thing to see these changes happening.

My husband and I got away for three nights to our favorite Ohio State Park, Mohican. We love renting a cabin down there and hiking a few of their many trails. It is just far enough away to feel like we went somewhere, yet we did not have to worry about out of state restrictions or quarantines. I see that New York finally lifted their travel advisory, so maybe the pandemic is finally getting under some amount of control. We certainly hope so. Time will tell.

As I said in my previous post, I wanted to take a couple of weeks and show you how I styled a few of the different Spring/Summer trends. Today’s outfit revolves around a pair of wide let trousers and a floral cardigan.

These thrifted wide leg trousers are a recent find and are St. John’s Bay brand. I personally am not a huge fan of the wide leg trouser look. Don’t get me wrong, I think they look beautiful on women with longer, thinner legs than mine. I personally prefer a boot cut, straight leg or skinny leg on my particular frame. However, I wanted to show you what a wide leg trouser might look like and this is a pair I will keep. I am going to think about some other ways to style them for future posts.

You know I love florals, so I was pleased that florals were again on the spring trend roster. I found this beautiful floral cardigan a while ago. I haven’t actually worn it, but I thought the colors went perfectly with the medium brown trousers. The sweater is a brand called Joseph A. The fabric is a light weight nylon mix and with the 3/4 length sleeves it will be great for summer.

Belts are back, ladies, so don’t be shy about showing off your waist lines. Whether you are straight, curvy, oblong or triangular, a belt not only cinches in your waist, but adds a fun detail to your outfit. I have been keeping my eyes open on my thrift store runs, but so far, no luck. I have had this brown belt with the blush embroidery detail, for a number of years. I really like it, but unfortunately it isn’t real leather and is already showing signs of wear.

You can also make out, I am wearing a long yellow pendant necklace. Long chain type necklaces are trending right now too. I have numerous longer necklaces, so now I have even more of a reason to wear them. It would be even better if I was actually going somewhere that I could wear them. Ha, ha.

For whatever reason, yellow bags are supposed to be trending this spring and summer. I have a number of yellow purses, so I was happy to have an excuse to get them out. This thrifted messenger style bag is perfect for carrying all the essentials plus a notebook or two. That is just what this writer needs. You never know when inspiration will strike.

You can also see I threw on a few beaded bracelets that I thought went well with the overall look.

These low wedge heels are Clarks and I got them a number of years ago. Low heels and flats are trending now too, so get out those ballerina flats. Platform sandals are also trending, so go figure. Ha. ha.

What do you think of the wide leg trouser trend? How about florals? Do you own a yellow bag? I’d love to have your feedback, so leave me some love in the comments section below.

I am including a few shopping links. These links are brought to you at no extra cost. I get a few cents if you click on a link and a few cents more if you make a purchase through a link. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer Trends - 2021

I am actually a little behind as far as being on the trend wagon, but I figure since spring hasn’t officially sprung yet, that I am right on schedule. Ha ha. I am going to do a few weeks on spring trends and then I will start my Pantone color series. It is always fun to head into summer thinking about new color combinations, so while I might be behind schedule, at least I am heading in the right direction. Let’s take a look at what is trending for this spring and summer. Remember, there are hundreds of trends that fashion entities put out and I just pick a few that I think you will find interesting. If you are interested in seeing more trends just type Spring Trends 2021 into your search bar and you will see all sorts of articles from fashion gurus like: Vogue, Cosmopolitan, WhoWhatWear, Marie Claire and more. I usually peruse as many of these sites as I can find, making a complete list, then I go through and choose the ones I like and that I can pull off with things from my own closet.

Statement Trousers

Pants have gone wide for spring and summer so be prepared for palazzo pants, wide crops and other statement pieces made of all types of fabrics from slinky knits and flowy chiffons, to more structured linens and unique denims.

Fantasy Florals

Florals are once again making a scene in the fashion world. From small prints to big and bold, you can find floral prints on everything from dresses, which I’ve shown here, to tops, bottoms, sweaters, bags, and shoes. I’m glad that florals are here to stay and that they are multi-generational

Belts

Belts are making their own statement this spring, so showing off your waist is essential whether it be by wearing a crop top or like me, by doing the front tuck. Another way to show off your belt acumen is by wearing a wider belt over a longer top, tunic or dress, to cinch in your waistline. Making a few investments in good quality leather belts is on my list of things to look for at thrift stores.

Eyelet

Texture is in for the warmer weather. We know texture plays a big part in our outfits in the winter with fur, chenille, velvet and others keeping us cozy. For summer the textures are just as noticeable with trims including feathers, fringe and string. Fabrics like eyelet, lace and netting are again popular providing extra interest for many outfits. I chose to focus on eyelet, because it is the more modest of the popular choices. Don’t get me started on what was being worn, or more truthfully said, what was not being worn on the fashion run ways!

Puffed Sleeves

One thing that is definitely true of this spring is size matters (pardon my vulgarity), but when it comes to sleeves, shoulder pads, bags and shoes, bigger is better. I have never been a huge fan of oversized shoulder pads, and platform shoes, while cute, are not something I would regularly wear, so I chose puffed sleeves for my oversized novelty.

Luxe Leather

Just like last spring, leather is still shaking up the fashion world. Leather (or faux leather for those of us with much stricter budget or looking for animal friendly options) is not just for jackets. You can find leather pants, tops, skirts and the usual leather pieces like shoes and bags. Wearable leather is much more wearer friendly these days with light weight and softer pieces. Leather also runs the color gambit, so look for leather in metallics and pastels.

Pastels

Pastels are here to stay and seem to be wearable in every season, but especially as we look forward to the brighter, warmer days of spring and summer. These lighter colors can be worn as statement pieces on their own, or you can incorporate them into your wardrobe in small doses with a bag, shoes or other accessories.

Bright Pink

This bright pink will get more air time when I do my Pantone series in a few weeks, but for now be aware, this bright, sometimes bubble gum pink is getting some attention. While blush has made its place as a new neutral in fashion, this bright pink is making a place of its own.

Wearing White

Wearing white after Memorial Day is a given, but that particular fashion “rule” has been disbanded by most people. White is a year round color, just like black or navy, or olive or blush. However, I am much more likely to wear white in the summer in the form of crop pants, skirts or shoes. If you have been wanting to get out your whites and give them a ride, go for it.

Pops of Blue

I thought this was an interesting trend that anyone could easily add to their wardrobe. The idea is to put together whatever outfit you are going to wear, then add a pop of blue. Whether you are dressed to go to work, or for a day running errands, you can easily uplift your outfit and your mindset with just a small pop of blue.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at a few of the Spring/Summer 2021 trends. I’ll be discussing a few others as I get into my outfits and possibly even into the Pantone series. If any of the pieces above look interesting, just click on the link for more details. These are affiliate links, brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

I hope you are having a good week.

Having Fun with Layers - Light Weight Dress

I wanted to do another light weight dress in my layering series. I know plenty of you wear dresses more often than I do, so I thought it might be a good idea to show you how to take one of your light weight summer dresses and style it now, even thought it is still quite cold. This time, because the length of the dress is much shorter, I wore it over a pair of colored jeans, for extra warmth.

You’ve seen me style this thrifted Sonoma dress for a fall Pantone series. It certainly has the right color scheme for fall. I also styled it for a summer kimono series last August. The Chevron print is definitely unique in my wardrobe. I am more into florals, but this particular piece appealed to me because of it’s colors.

These cognac colored distressed jeans are Stitch Star from Meijer and you have seen me style them for another Pantone color series. I also styled them in a Christmas outfit.

This thrifted, blush Jennifer Lopez sweater is one of my favorites for the in between weather of spring and fall. I often throw this in the car in the summer too, for when we go into an air conditioned building. I like the weight of it, the fun texture and the asymmetrical cut.

My accessories were pretty simple since the dress is busy enough. My blush SO heeled ankle boots and my blush clutch were perfect choices to go with the blush sweater. My necklace is a floral statement piece that I thought would add a touch of bling. I also added a few blush beaded bracelets.

What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear a dress with pants, or over leggings, or do you prefer to have your legs bare? I’d love to know your thoughts.

Since spring is on the way, I decided to give you some shopping links for all things blush. Enjoy shopping. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Having Fun with Layers - Light Weight Kimono

I am sure most of us have one or two kimonos in our closets. Typically, we only pull out these light weight pieces when the weather warms up enough that we can show them off over our spring or summer outfits. Kimonos are really more of an accessory than they are an actually clothing item. They are meant to accentuate or be the focal point of an outfit, much like a statement necklace or a scarf. For this reason, I thought it would be fun to show how we can use a kimono while it is still cold, by using it in the same manner, but over an outfit with heavier layering pieces.

This kimono was a clearance find at Kohl’s a few summers ago. It is actually a bit small for me, but since I don’t have to worry about closing the front, I just let it hang open, almost more like an open front cardi or vest. You can see the pretty floral detail, but what you can’t see is that there is also a spattering of light yellow here and there in the pattern. That is why I wore it over the bright yellow sweater.

I love this pretty yellow, St. John’s Bay, cable knit sweater that I got at JC Penney over a year ago. Cable knit sweaters are definitely a staple in my cold weather wardrobe. They are comfortable and can be worn along or with a collared shirt sticking out as an additional layer.

You’ve seen these Gloria Vanderbilt jeans on the blog many times and I swear by this particular pair of white jeans. So far I can still fit into them, which is a good thing, because a heavy weight pair of white jeans, that don’t show through are hard to come by. Ha ha.

I didn’t really need to add a whole lot to my look since the kimono does the bulk of the work. I added some black beads, both at the neck and on my wrist. I also opted for gray Impo ankle boots, and a thrifted Evan-Picone bag. Like my blush New York and Co. bag, this gray piece serves as both a tote, a crossbody and a clutch.

I hope this post will inspire you to pull out that kimono in your closet and give it some love.

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

Have a great evening.

Having Fun with Layers - Summer Dress in Winter

The beauty of layering is that it allows you to wear many of your wardrobe pieces over multiple seasons. In fact, when you layer you can wear any lighter weight spring or summer pieces all year long. For people like me, who have way too many clothes for every season, I don’t really have to worry about wearing summer skirts in the winter, but there is an element of desire here. Once we get into the month of March, all of us are over winter and want to pull out our light weight pieces and at least look like spring has sprung.

Today, I am going to show you how to layer an outfit with a summer dress that makes it perfectly wearable during a polar vortex. It is most likely you won’t be going anywhere anyway, but why not look springy and bright in your own home for a needed change of pace. You could turn the heat up to 80 F, or you could just add a few layers.

I am also trying to add a few tips to my blog posts when applicable that help you in the how to’s of outfit building. These will be highlighted in bold text.

My daughter was getting rid of this LuLaRoe swing dress with a high-low hem and I just fell in love with the colors, so I grabbed it. In the picture below, you can see it without the belt, but I wanted to have more of an hour glass silhouette so I added the wide black stretchy belt.

Once again, I used my black knit tights and my black tank top as my under layers. I simply use what I have available, but every woman is different. You might prefer more silky fabrics agains your skin and choose pretty cami’s and slips for your foundational under layers. Or you might prefer a set of heat keeping thermal (or something like Under Armor) underwear. Whatever you use, if you live in a climate that gets cold, snow and ice in the winter you know how essential layering is.

Layering Tip: Use multiple light weight layers to alleviate bulk.

For this look I also chose to add a button down blouse under the dress. This thrifted chambray printed top is Old Navy brand and I thought the colors in it went well with the colors in the dress. I get a bit of print mixing as well.

Print Mixing Tip: Choose patterns that have at least one or two similar colors.

For this first look, I added a bright blue bag, a Christmas gift from my younger daughter a few years ago. I like how it makes the blue in the dress really pop. It also adds that element of spring we are all longing for.

Once I added the belt, I thought I would also add a longer sweater over the top. Ladies, I live in an old, drafty house that is almost 100 years old. We have done a few things over the years to help insulate, like add loose insulation and get new windows, but without actually tearing the place down and starting over, we still live in a drafty, older home. I’m fine with that, but it does require multiple layers. I often feel silly wearing as many layers as I do, but this is life. All that to say, yes, I would wear these layers at home.

This cozy open front sweater was a Christopher and Banks purchase from a year ago. I love this medium green, marled look and I thought it went really well with the dress, even though it isn’t exactly matchy, matchy. Sometimes a little different shade of color or added texture can really add to an outfit.

Outfit Building Tip: Adding texture to your outfit will add interest, and often extra warmth.

Since the background of the dress is black, I thought black was a good choice for the belt and boots, and in this look with the sweater I added my black Aidebam bag, which I got this past Christmas from the same daughter who got me the blue bag. Both my daughters know, I love my accessories. My boots are Croft & Barrow, a few years old, from Kohl’s.

For jewelry I wore a simple bead pendant necklace with a similar color scheme and a couple of beaded bracelets, that I didn’t get a close up of.

Accessory Tip: Less is more. If wearing busy pattern all over, chose accessories that compliment rather than detract from the pattern.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like your pieces to match or do you like to think outside the box when it comes to blending colors and patterns? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments section below.

Now, for the winners of the Bloggiversary giveaway. The winners are Jessica Klimesh and April White. Congratulations, ladies! I will be contacting you soon, to arrange getting your gift card!

Have a great day everyone. Stay warm, stay safe and stay sane!

Having Fun with Layers - Dressy Valentine's Day Look - 5 Year Bloggiversary with a Giveaway

Today I am showing you a more dressed up Valentine’s Day look. Although, so many of us are choosing to not go out very often, or at all, there still is the opportunity to dress up for a date night right in your own home. Obviously, this is harder for those of you who have kids, but those of us who are empty nesters can do this a little more easily. If you are a young couple, there is no reason you can’t have a fun Valentine’s party with your littles and reserve some of your own special time once they are in bed.

Today’s outfit revolves around a beautiful blouse I recently acquired from Maurice’s clearance rack. I love everything about this blouse from the high collar, to the pattern and the flowy, sheer fabric. Just like I did for my casual outfit on Tuesday, I am wearing the same under layers consisting of the black tights and black tank top.

My long, black maxi skirt was a Meijer clearance find. It is a summer weight skirt of lighter material, but it is not sheer, so doesn’t need a slip underneath. The brand is Ava James. I like the textured pleats which gives it the look of crepe. It also has a comfortable elastic waistband and pockets.

You can see from the above picture that I drew on the gold, metallic splashes that are on the blouse for my jewelry inspiration. There is plenty going on, on the blouse, but I thought a few simple gold pieces would compliment the look just right.

I added the metallic, blush moto jacket as my over layer piece. This jacket, I’ve styled before on the blog. I got it a few years ago at Nordstrom Rack and it is a brand called Coffee Shop New York. You can see how I styled it with a camo shirt and with a Mickey Mouse tee.

In keeping with the gold jewelry and the gold flecks on the blouse, I decided to carry my small gold, clutch. This is a thrifted piece and perfect for those special occasions that require you to dress up. I don’t have very many of those any more. How about you? Do you still find occasions to dress up?

My shoes you have seen multiple times on the blog. They are Aerosoles and I got them on clearance at DSW. Again, I apologize for the dirty shoes. I didn’t realize how much cat hair is just laying around, and I have vacuumed several times since Christmas. Those darn fur balls. Ha, ha.

What did you think of this outfit? Do you like floral blouses? Do you prefer maxi skirts, midi skirts or a knee length or shorter? Are you doing anything special for Valentine’s Day? I don’t know if we are doing anything or not. As we get older, it has become less about the particular days and more about making every day special. Don’t forget about the giveaway. I’m including the rules again, below. If you haven’t entered yet, be sure you comment and subscribe.

If you want to be entered into the drawing to win either a $25 Target card, or a $25 Amazon gift card, please be sure to read the rules and enter. Entries will be taken until 12 midnight on Friday, February 12th. If you are not sure how to subscribe, just click the link at the top of home page that says, Subscribe and fill in the information. Being a subscriber does not cost you a thing. It just allows me to sent you a once a week email, to remind you there are new posts on the blog. You can either comment on today’s post, or on this past Tuesday’s post. You can also earn more entries by commenting on Facebook and Instagram. Have a fabulous Thursday!

Having Fun with Layers - Casual Valentine's Day Look - Celebrating 5 Years

Here I am again, celebrating another year of Faith and Fashion blogging. When I started this little hobby back in 2016, I had no idea how my sense of style would change and evolve. I also never realized how doing this 2 or three times a week every week for the last five years would help my ability to write. Starting this blog, in part to help me write regularly, has helped me to become a better writer. As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. I am no where near perfect, but I do have more confidence, not only as a writer, but as a woman who knows something about fashion. As I have done in recent years I wanted to have a giveaway, so be sure to read all the way to the end, so you know what the drawing is for and how to enter. This year there will be two winners!

I decided to spend a few weeks talking about layering. I realize we are all looking forward to spring, but we are in the middle of the deep freeze here in the mid-west and I really don’t want to be trying to take pictures of light weight, flowy spring outfits. Well, I really would rather be doing that, but I would have to take everything to Florida to take pictures. Ha, ha. No chance of that happening right now. Instead, what I am going to do, is show you a few spring pieces that I have doctored up for the cold weather, and that means layering.

I love layers. I love being able to wear multiple pieces from my closet all at the same time and it has a very practical purpose. Layers keep me warm. I do understand that many women are menopausal and that means hot flashes, so layers are not as practical, but what I hope to do is show you layers that are easy enough to take off when those heat waves blow through.

Today’s outfit revolves around a light weight pair of floral pants that I recently purchased at Kohl’s.

When I saw these cute twill joggers on the rack at Kohl’s I thought, “I’m going to buy myself something that is new for the season.” Typically I wait until the end of the season to purchase new pieces and then wear them for the remaining weeks of the season, or put them away until next year, but these were on sale and I had a good coupon. I love the floral print and the light weight fabric, which makes them great for spring and summer. These are Sonoma brand.

If you are anxious to wear your new spring finds, but it is still cold, I would start with an under layers. I chose a pair of black tights and a black tank top.

Most under layers will not add a lot of extra bulk, but they will add warmth. If you are suffering with hot flashes, don’t add the extra under layers. You will be warm enough with the normal pieces.

I wanted to draw on both the dark, almost burgundy pinks and the light pinks in the flowers on the pants, so I chose a light weight thrifted SO sweatshirt. Layers do not have to add bulk, as I said before. This sweatshirt is a lighter weight fleece, making it much easier to wear something over the top.

For my top piece I chose a light pink, faux leather, Christopher and Banks moto jacket. The light pastel pink certainly makes me think of spring with all of its pretty flowers and of course Easter outfits and colored eggs.

I added a few simple details like my fringe pendant necklace, which actually has some olive colored beads; a couple of beaded bracelets, my blush colored, thrifted New York and Co bag and my Spirit burgundy ankle boots.

I noticed after the fact that my shoes were all scuffed and covered with dust and cat hair. I’m sorry for the poor photos as well. My glasses were picking up the glare from the windows. I wasn’t going to go outside, as it is so cold and I was trying to get the best light, but didn’t take the glare into account. The joys of being an amateur photographer. Ha. ha. My daughter has been so busy and I haven’t want to add more work to her already full plate. That’s okay, because this is real life.

I hope you enjoyed this post on layering fun. Think about the spring pieces in your closet and how you could make them wearable in the cold temperatures by adding layers. What could you wear?

I’m including a few shopping links to get you thinking about spring. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have fun shopping, and don’t forget about the giveaway. Just follow the directions and you will be entered to win one of two gift cards. Entries for the give away will close on Friday February 12th, at midnight. I will announce the winners of the give away on Tuesday February 16th.