20 Days of Christmas - Red and Green

It is the fourth day of my 20 Days of Christmas challenge and it has been fun to pull out some of my Christmas themed pieces and think about how to put them together in a way that is fun and stylish. I also wanted to revisit some of the traditional holiday color combinations and see how I could combine them in a fresh, trendy way.

Today’s outfit uses the two age old Christmas colors, red and green. Greenery has been used in decorating for centuries to brighten up the long, drab, winter months and is a reminder of the return of spring. Red, while associated with holly berries, is also in the Christian tradition, a reminder of the blood of Christ.

I started with this LuLaRoe maxi skirt which I have styled before on the blog, here. When I initially got this skirt, I thought it had a bit of a tropical vibe, but they celebrate Christmas in tropical places too, right? I decided to add this 3/4 length sweater to brighten up the outfit, though I think a green top with red accessories would have worked as well. The sweater is Croft and Barrow.

To make the look a little bit more youthful and updated I decided to top the whole outfit with my Mudd olive utility vest. I also thought carrying the green velvet cross body bag added a bit of trendy textural interest. I’ve gotten a number of compliments on this bag that I found on the clearance rack at Meijer, last spring.

As you can see we had some snow, so I felt my Croft and Barrow knee high black boots were in order for the day. I also had on black leggings under the skirt for added warmth. I was pretty cozy all day at work and even when my daughter and I took her dogs for a walk. I also had a 3/4 length tee under my sweater. Layers, upon layers. It’s winter time.

The finishing touch was this green and gold two layer necklace. The green went perfectly with the green in the skirt.

I really like these LuLaRoe maxi’s, although I think I had heard they were phasing them out of their product line. It looks like they now have a long, pleated maxi skirt. Whatever the case, it is easy to make your summer maxi skirts winter wearable by adding heavy tights, or leggings and boots.

Do you wear red and green at Christmas time? What did you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this? I always welcome your feedback.

Have a great weekend. Be sure to follow along with the 20 Days of Christmas challenge on Instagram.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

20 Days of Christmas - Slip Dress

I have seen many fashion bloggers do series that cover a period of days. Spring and fall fashion are popular themes for many of these series. I thought it would be fun to do a series revolving around Christmas. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the decorations, the music and movies, the food and gatherings, and the gift giving, but even more important is the meaning that this holiday has for those of us who call ourselves Christians. This is the time we celebrate our Savior’s birth.

That being said, I love to dress for the occasion. I don’t own a boat load of ugly Christmas sweaters, but I do have a few kitschy tees that are fun to get out each Christmas. In addition, I love to pair the colors that we typically think of at Christmas time, like red and green, in different ways that look classy, but still festive. This year, for this particular challenge, I also wanted to bring in some color combinations like silver and gold (I hear Burl Ives singing) and white with blue (which makes me think of Frozen), as well as classic black with gold or cream. It is that last color combination that made it to the blog today. If you want to see all twenty of my outfits leading up to Christmas, be sure to also follow my Instagram feed, as that is where I will post my combinations for Monday’s, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Today’s outfit revolves around a black and cream slip dress. I found this little number while thrifting. I have seen numerous bloggers style slip dresses and have always thought it was not for me. However, it was always simmering at the back of my mind that if I found the right deal, I would get outside my box and give it a try, thus today’s thrifted dress. A slip dress, simply put, is a slip that can be worn as a dress. For the most part slip dresses are made of a heavier weight fabric than a typical slip that you would wear under a dress, so that they can be worn out in public without fear of being see through.

What makes this a slip dress? The spaghetti straps, the light weight, silky fabric and the fit and flair style. A slip dress will typically not be big and flowing. This one was a bit tight on me and I would have felt more comfortable in a larger size, but when you thrift shop, you have to go with what you get. I just have to remind myself to stand up straight so my bulges aren’t as obvious. Ha, ha.

I added a black turtleneck under my slip dress, because, dang it, it is cold out there! I also threw on this fringed cape that I got from Chico’s. A little gold and pearl jewelry helped to up the class factor.

I chose the burgundy suede fringe bag to bring in a pop of color, as well as to tie in with the boho feel of the whole outfit.

Black textured tights over a gray pair of tights adds warmth and interest and I finished off the look with my black suede boots.

Do you have a dress you like to wear at the holidays? Do you own a slip dress? If so, how do you style yours? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for following along and be sure to check out my Instagram to see more Christmas outfit ideas. 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 my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Hanging Out with the Happiness Boutique

I was contacted by a German company called Happiness Boutique wanting to do a collaboration with me. The Happiness Boutique describes its style as being “…modern classic with a charming vintage touch.” They offered I pick out two of their jewelry pieces in exchange for featuring them on a blog post. When you check out their website you will see a collection of youthful, whimsical pieces that will add an element of bling or pizzazz to any outfit.

I pulled this outfit together just before I flew out the door to go to take pictures at my daughter’s house. I wanted to put together a look that was both warm and fun and that could be worn for a Thanksgiving day get together. I also wanted to think outside the box, since I wanted the jewelry to take center stage.

The two pieces I chose were a necklace and a bracelet. The necklace has more of a traditional gold finish and the bracelet is more of a rose gold.

I chose this double leaf pendant because I like that it acts like both a pendant and a fringe necklace. The leaves are very cute and add a unique textural element to the outfit. There is also a small dark colored jewel at the point from which the two leaf chains hang. This vintage feather necklace is a wonderfully delicate piece that makes a statement all on its own.

I chose to wear my new sweater from Eden Fashion Boutique as a solid backdrop for the necklace. Wanting the necklace to make a statement, I was afraid it would get lost in a print blouse, but any solid back ground really makes this pop.

The wavy bracelet in rose gold, is another statement piece. I love the wavy design, but also the added texture on the one loop. This shimmery, shiny piece is going to be making regular appearances throughout the holidays.

Happiness Boutique is currently offering my readers a 10% discount on your total order over $21.00. Just enter stylingrannymama at checkout. Act soon on that, because the extra 10% is a special for the Christmas season from November 20th to December 20th. In addition Happiness Boutique offers free shipping and a customer reward program.

I hope you enjoyed this look at Happiness Boutique. These items were gifted to me. I received no money for this post. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Here are a few other fun pieces from Happiness Boutique.

My Favorite Animal...Print, I Mean

I thought it would be fun to show you some of my own leopard print pieces. I would say, out of all the different animal prints, leopard is probably my favorite with snakeskin print being the second. I have never been into zebra print. I love the animals and think it is very pretty in home decor, but the jazzy black and white stripes never seemed to appeal to my fashion preferences. But never say never.

Over the last few years I have been drawn to leopard print and have found a few fun pieces, some of which you have seen already. The first piece I acquired was a leopard print skirt. This was a JC Penney find and is Worthington brand. The first picture was from spring of 2016; the second is just this fall.

See original post here.

See original post here.

I also snatched up another leopard print skirt at a thrift store. Why do I need two leopard print skirts that are almost the same as far as shape and length? I could say the colors are a bit different and the second has a richer texture because it is corduroy, but in all honesty, I just forgot that I had the first one when I saw the second one in the thrift store. Ha, ha. This one is Jones, NY brand.

See original post here.

The next piece I acquired was a thrifted 3/4 length sleeve cardigan sweater. I liked the extra classy feel of the black band around the hem, sleeves and buttons. This is a brand called Karen Scott.

See original post here.

One of my favorite pieces you have seen recently on the blog and that is my leopard print blazer from JC Penney. This is a faux velvet piece and while it is not rigidly structured, it has enough shape to make it look classy. Thus far I have only styled it casually, but I think I will think about a more dressed up look.

See original post here.

See original post here.

If you are interesting in reading those original posts, just click on the links below the pictures. You might have fun seeing how different my hair was before I decided to start growing out my gray. Ha, ha.

I have a few other leopard print pieces for accessories including a pair of flats from Christopher and Banks and a scarf.

See original post here.

See original post here.

Those are my current leopard print treasures. I’m hoping at some point to acquire a pair of booties and a bag of some sort, but I’m in no hurry. I think leopard print is here to stay.

Do you have a favorite animal print? What ways do you like to wear those types of prints. I’d love to hear from you. Leave me some love or a few sassy remarks about my past pictures in the comments. Ha, ha.

Have a great weekend!

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Girls' Night Out - Eden Fashion Boutique

This past Thursday a local small business, Eden Fashion Boutique, was hosting a Girls’ Night Out party at their downtown Sylvania, Ohio location. Eden Fashion Boutique was the brain child of Katie Thompson and originally started in Bowling Green, Ohio, but their cute little retail store has expanded to include the Sylvania location. In addition, they have an online shop that features the same pieces they have in store, so if you like to shop from home, be sure to check out their site.

The Eden Fashion Boutique in downtown Sylvania is a small space that packs a big punch. From the stylish mannequins in the windows to the racks filled with items grouped by color, I couldn’t help but feel the need to try on every item in the store. Mustard and sunflower yellows, cedar greens, rich burgundies and classic black and whites filled the racks with the warm and cozy textures of fall and on coming winter.

The obvious idea behind this party was to bring your girl friends and have an intimate shopping experience while enjoying wine and snacks.

The party was timed from 5 to 9 so Rebecca and I got there right about 5:30. When we first walked in there were only a few other people in the store, but before we knew it, Eden was hopping. Rebecca had contacted Katie ahead of time and asked if she would be up for having us take pictures, try things on and so on. Katie was all about it and when I met her in person I was so impressed with her positive and energetic spirit.

Katie’s background is marketing and organizational development. A stay at home mom for nine years she was inspired to fill a need in her community.

“I wanted an uncluttered, curated place to shop with unique pieces that were affordable. And since that didn’t exist, I decided to create it myself!”

This wasn’t something that came about on a whim. Eden has their own branding statements that include their vision and mission. Their mission statement will ring true with many of my fellow bloggers:

“We strive to encourage, empower, and inspire women….” This statement is supported by the space Eden occupies, the clothing sold there, the people who serve the customers and the customers themselves. Shopping at Eden is not like going to the mall. It is an intimate, relaxed and positive experience.

That positivity translates into the boutiques from the friendly and helpful staff, to the signs on the walls, to the cute stickers they use to tape the tissue they wrap each purchased item in when it goes into your bag.

Picture from my cell phone.

They were having a special sale that evening, if you bought three items you got one free. With Rebecca’s birthday coming up this weekend, I told her to pick out two items and I would pick out two items. Let the shopping commence.

Don’t ask me to pose and shop at the same time! This is serious business! Ha, ha.

There were so many delicious pieces that it was hard to not try everything on. I told Katie I was going to have to come back for my own personal style session and do just that.

These were a few of the things I tried on.

This fuzzy cardigan was like wrapping yourself inside a blanket. What could be better in the winter than a stylish fuzzy blanket with arms? I loved the color.

These were a pair of their pull on jeans. The fit was nice and the material soft and flexible. Rebecca ended up with a pair of these. This sweat shirt is just another example of the positivity vibe of this store.

I’m just loving this brown mustard yellow color. The turtleneck is so soft to the touch and the sweater is another fun piece I would love to add to my wardrobe. I ended up with the turtleneck. It has an asymmetrical neck line. That and the soft fabric sold me.

I’ll be styling this on the blog later this week. I also bought a dark green pullover sweater that will be making an appearance on the blog as well.

This was a fun event and I hope to make Eden a more frequent stop. They keep their collections moving, so there are always new items to check out. The clothing seems to be well made, the price points are not bad and the shopping experience is intimate and fun. I will definitely be back.

I hope you enjoyed this look at one of my home town’s local small businesses and if you have the time, check out their online store. If you are ever in the area, this is a retail business worth checking out.

You can also visit Eden on their facebook page or their Instagram account.

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Outfit Inspiration - Plaid Trousers with Green

This outfit is another product of perusing a Christopher & Banks add that I had gotten in the mail. The add contained an outfit consisting of a pair of plaid pants, a cardigan, a short sleeve tee and a button up blouse with a collar. Since I am such a layering fanatic in the winter, due to living in a drafty old house and living in the mid west, I thought this would be a fun and different way to add multiple light layers. This layering not only adds warmth, but creates visual interest and additional texture, for an outfit that is clearly work appropriate, and also date night ready.

Plaid is in again and seems to be a recurring pattern in the fashion realm. Whether it is the light and bright plaids of spring and summer checks or the more expected flannel and buffalo plaids of fall, plaid is a pattern everyone can wear. With plaid shirts, pants, skirts and jackets there are plenty of choices for your closet.

I found this pair of Mossimo brand trousers at a thrift store. I like the wider legs, but it was the plaid pattern and the bright green stripes that had me throwing them in my cart. The picture below was to show off my dark brown Life Stride boots, but it also gives you a close up of the plaid colors.

Seeing as the pants have both a light green and a dark green stripe I was able to draw from several different greens in my closet. The Sonoma tee shirt is fairly old and is often worn during the warmer months as it is relatively light weight. The long sleeve gingham that I am wearing underneath is Jaclyn Smith and was thrifted. The cardigan was also thrifted and is Old Navy.

Because the tee had that touch of purple I added the purple bead and metal necklace for a contrasting splash of color.

I really like these greens with the purple. Even though I typically would associate these colors more with spring or summer I think they work well for fall and brighten things up, which really helps on a dreary day.

This shoulder bag is another thrift store find and is Liz Claiborne brand.

I like when the strap on a bag is long enough that I can use it either as a shoulder bag or a crossbody bag. It’s okay to occasionally have it both ways! Ha, ha.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this outfit. Do you like to wear plaid? What sorts of plaid items do you have in your closet. In addition to my plaid pants I have a few tops that are plaid, including a few flannel ones. How about you? Not all patterns are liked by everyone, but there are other ways to embrace a trend like florals or plaid, just think less is more. Carry a plaid bag, wear a plaid scarf or even a pair of plaid socks and then roll your pant cuffs so the socks are just peeking out.Everyone will think you are so on trend and you didn’t have to make a big investment.

I hope you all have a great weekend! Until next time.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Summer Maxi Dress for Fall

I’m sure many of you have heard about transitional dressing. This has to do with taking a clothing piece from one season and changing it up to make it wearable in the next season. With our seasons here in the mid west being so varied, it is essential to have pieces that can be worn for more than one season. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I love jeans. You can wear them any time of year. Ha, ha. However, this is not going to be a post about jeans. You already know how much I love those! This post focuses on a summer maxi dress that was a new purchase from late last spring.

Some of you who regularly follow me might remember this dress from my summer series on maxi dresses. You can see the whole dress and the original post here. This bohemian style maxi boldly stated it wanted to come home with me when I saw it on the rack at Nordstrom Rack this past May. I knew as soon as I tried it on that it would be a versatile piece and would easily take me from summer into fall.

In order to make the light weight dress fall ready I decided I needed layers. I knew I wanted to style it with knee high boots to add warmth on the lower level. While I didn’t wear tights for this photo shoot, I would add them if I was going to have the dress on for a longer period of time.

I do love wearing boots. They are a great way to change up an outfit and add warmth. With so many styles from ankle booties to over the knee types what is not to love. And now there are so many more colors!

Here are a few brown pairs, that I like at decent price points.

To add layers at the top I chose this thrifted sunflower yellow sweater cardigan. The brand name is Callaway. A simple cardigan adds a warm layer without a lot of bulk and they come in so many pretty prints and colors. Here are a few to look at. With Christmas coming, I am sure you need ideas for all those girls on your list. Ha, ha.

In addition to the sweater I also grabbed my thrifted brown moto jacket. I have styled this many times on the blog. It is one of my favorite thrift finds and most often I wear it as an extra layer in the winter time, rather than as an outerwear jacket. For this particular fall day this and the sweater were just the right amount of layers.

Here are a few shopping options.

My accessories are pretty simple. This layered necklace I found somewhere or other on the clearance rack. The nice thing about these types of necklaces is there is no work involved. Some days that is just exactly what I need.

My bag is a navy Vera Wang bag that is also thrifted.

One of the things that I like about fashion blogging is learning new ways to use my clothes. It used to be that we had our summer clothes and our winter clothes. I still go through the process of putting things away and pulling out different things each season, simply because I am a clothes horse and there is no way I could have all my clothes out at the same time. Also, I tend to reach for what is in my comfort zone. In the winter I like to be warm, so I like my heavy sweaters and added layers. In the summer I like less layers and lighter material. However, since I have started blogging I have learned that there are ways to extend the seasonal pieces and get more wear out of them. This outfit is the perfect example.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Leave me some love in the comments. I always like to hear your point of view.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link I get a few cents. If you make a purchase through a link I get a little commission. I appreciate all your clicks.

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.