Spring Preview

March 01, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Women's Fashion, Spring Colors

While spring is still a few weeks away, the fashion world has been at work since sometime last year planning the color line up for Spring 2016. Pantone is the color guru. Not only do their color choices affect what the models are wearing on the fashion run ways, but they affect the colors used in design and decorating. You can see their website and the Spring color choices by clicking here.

In my fashion posts for the next few weeks I have taken Pantone's color choices and shopped in my closet. Most colors put out by the designers fall into similar color categories and you probably already have something that resembles some of the colors in your closet. For example the color "Serenity" is very close to a light denim blue. "Peach echo" is related to the dark coral family and "Buttercup" the vibrant yellow.

Pantone picks two colors that become the central focus of the spring line up. This year it is "Rose Quartz" and "Serenity". While you can be trendy just focusing on those two colors, I love to see what I can do with all ten colors put forth in the spring line up. I have so many clothes and I was able to find most of the colors already hanging in my closet or folded in my drawers. A few things I ended up purchasing, but mostly at thrift shops.

The color guide is there as that, a guide. Not everyone can wear "Fiesta" or "Iced Coffee", but you can find the colors that suit your skin tone and make up scheme best and then accent with pieces in the other tones and colors. For instance, maybe your outfit consists mainly of "Snorkel blue" and "Green flash". You could then accent that with "Buttercup" beads around your neck and wrists, or use a "Lilac gray" bag or "Iced coffee" shoes. You will see some of my "Spring line up" over the next few weeks.

In the mean time don't be afraid to try new things. I will confess, I have a hard time getting out of my comfort zone, but that is part of what writing this blog is about. Learning, changing, adapting and growing. We should never be stagnant, and when we find that we are, well, it is time to do some spring cleaning. Continue reading for our first Closet Clean Out Tip...

Closet Clean Out - Tip 1 - Organize

If you are like me, you love to shop, or maybe you don't, but you have a closet full of clothes, many of which you don't even wear. The first thing to do is organize. I know this may be counterintuitive, but I find that if I organize first then I can more easily see what I have and what I don't. Also, I have a second reason for organizing first, as I organize I purge.

I like to organize things in different ways. Sometimes I organize strictly by color; all the yellows together, reds together and so on. I do this by hanging rack and drawers. Right now, I have short sleeve shirts with prints by color, short sleeve shirts without print by color, 3/4 sleeve shirts with prints by color, 3/4 sleeve shirts without print by color and so on. I would love to be more of a minimalist, the whole capsule wardrobe has it's appeal, but I love options and I love colors and I love different shapes and lengths. I guess I just love clothes!

So as you delve into your closet, don't be afraid to pull everything out...but be aware this does take time and you and your spouse want to be able to sleep on that bed where you are piling all your clothes. As you organize according to your own system, get rid of stuff. That pink blazer your never wear because it is just not the right pink for your skin tone...donate it. That turtleneck you love but it's covered in pills, throw it away. Pilling does not look attractive on any clothing. That skirt that is a tad too tight, give it to your skinny friend. I hate to tell you girlfriend, but if you are anything like me, that weight is not coming off very fast and by the time it does, you will want to buy a new skirt.

I know organizing can be an overwhelming task, but look at it in bite size chunks. Look at your hanging racks first. How can you organize your tops, dresses or skirts so that you have a better idea of what you have? Start with the long sleeve tops. Leave everything else on the rack, but the long sleeve tops. Take those out and pile them on your bed or hang them on an empty rack. As you are handling each shirt, decide do I want to keep it, do I want to donate it, or do I need to try it on and decide after I look in the mirror. An item you bought because it was such a good deal, may now not look so great. Even if you never wore it, get rid of it, because keeping it will not guarantee you will wear it.

One thing I read about reducing clutter said to get rid of ten things at a time. So your assignment today, ladies, is to reorganize your closet and as you do, try to get rid of at least ten things. If you do more than ten you are awesome and I feel good that I inspired you to do that much! Tell me your success stories in the comments section below. I'd love to hear from you!

Next week we'll talk about those pesky socks and underwear.

Layers of Fun: The Outer Limits - Week 2

February 24, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Dressing After 50, Layering, Winter, Women's Fashion, Menswear inspired outfits

Here is the conclusion of my first photo shoot. Remember, I am not normally a photogenic person, so it took some gentle direction from my photographer daughter to help me know when to smile, when to walk, how to tilt my head and so on. I am a work in progress, a living, breathing testament to Philippians 1:6 - "...He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

This is one of my favorite outfits. It was classy, but comfortable. A perfect outfit for my job as an assistant manager at local university bookstore. I paired the tunic and narrow leg trousers, both from Christopher and Banks (see similar pants here). The tunic is no longer available. The vest and shoes were thrift store finds. The vest gives the outfit an edgy vibe and the shoes shout menswear oxfords. The necklace was probably clearance at Kohl's (bought a few years ago).

I like this outfit too. I am most comfortable in jeans and these skinnies are easy to slip into my taller boots. As I said from last week's post, I am not real fond of the vest worn by itself as the pattern tends to widen my already wide middle. But putting it under the fitted jacket works. The raspberry shirt adds a pop of color. Now if I could just find my horse!

Thanks for checking out this week's fashion post. Next week (and month) we'll be looking at Pantone's Spring colors and I'll be searching my closet for outfits that work the color scheme. We will also be doing a "closet clean out" with tips for slimming down our bulging closets. I hope you will join me.

Layers of Fun: the Outer Limits - Week 1

February 23, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Dressing After 50, Layering, Winter, Women's Fashion

We finally got to the outer layers. Outer layers can include jackets, sweaters, vests, and coats. Follow those with other accessories such as jewelry, scarves, bags and shoes. The pictures below show you some of my final outfits. I did not focus on coats, other outer wear, or bags as we will focus on those in a different post at a later time.

You can see with the above outfit I added a sweater, skinny belt to give me a waist and a scarf. Even though it is print on print the scarf pulls together the black in the shirt and pants as well as the raspberry color of the sweater. The ensemble is completed with a pair of heels.

All the pieces in this outfit except the necklace were thrift store finds. The fun necklace was from H & M a few years ago. As my blog evolves, I hope to be more tech savvy and give you links to possible similar outfit pieces. Right now I am still learning. Thanks for being patient.

Tomorrow I will post Outer Limits: Week 2, as we will be starting a Spring theme next week. Be sure to check out my last two outfits from our first photo shoot tomorrow, then put next Tuesday on your calendar for Spring colors and tips for weeding out your closet. Until next time, keep stylin'!

Layers of Fun: Middle Earth

February 16, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Layering, Women's Fashion, Dressing After 50

We talked about our foundational layers in last week's post which you can see by scrolling down to the bottom of the page. This week we'll look at a few images of clothing that can be worn over the bedrock or under layers. A lighter weight option is a simple button up shirt. The gingham choice is a looser fit, whereas the other is fitted.

Another option is a lighter weight turtleneck sweater. This black, thrift store find is made of silk. Wearing this with black leggings makes me look sleek, but I would not be caught dead in a pair of leggings without a tunic or dress that covers my behind, so I top the turtleneck and leggings with another thrift store find, the leopard print dress.

Other middle earth layers can include tunics and vests as seen below. I do not like the way the vest makes me look heavier, but when you see it under the jacket I chose for next week's post you'll see why it works.

Finally, we need to have a few bottoms. Slacks, leggings (as seen above) or narrow leg trousers are just a few of the options available to cover our lower selves when the weather is cold. I love to dress in skirts as well, and we'll talk more about those in a future post.

Thanks for peeking in as I learn more about how to dress myself for a stylin' granny mama look.

Next week, the Outer Limits!

*All Photos By Rebecca Trumbull, Makeup By Rachel Christensen

Layers of Fun: Bedrock

February 09, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Women's Fashion, Layering, Mid-west, Winter, Menopause

Since it is still winter in the midwest, I thought it would be beneficial to start our fashion walk with layers. I am a layer fanatic and I will give my daughters Rebecca and Rachel the credit for teaching me about layering and all things fashion. What is more fun that being able to wear as many of your clothes as you can at one time, and still look fashionable?

In today's post we'll start with the under layer or what I call the bedrock. This is your foundational layer. This layer should lay close to your skin. This will include your underwear. Now what sort of underwear you wear is entirely up to you. This blog is meant to help you feel comfortable and fashionable in things you are already used to wearing. If you wear cotton panties, by all means keep wearing them. If you wear a thong, you go girl! There are so many options out there and you are in charge of you. In addition to your underwear you can also consider hose, tights or leggings as well as slips and shape wear part of the bedrock.

After we have all our under layers on, we can think about actual clothing. I usually wear a tank top, but any type of cami or even a thin tee shirt will do. What you wear, might be determined by how you wear it. If you are layering a button up blouse over a long sleeve tee and want to coordinate the pattern on the blouse with the color of your tee then you might be wearing a crew neck. Maybe you are looking for simple practicality and just want to be warm, then a cami or tank top that doesn't show is appropriate.

The real trick to the bedrock is layers without bulk. If your under layer is too thick or covered in buttons or embroidery, etc. the over layers may look wrinkly, or, God forbid, make you look heavier. So always think layers without lumps. Think of layer cake. A beautiful cake will have frosting free of crumbs or blobs of unnecessary decoration. As we dress, we want to appear smooth, light and beautiful.

Obviously layering is not for everyone. I am a post menopausal woman and while I still have micro hot flashes I was one of the fortunate women who flew through the change easily; that's not true for everyone. My mother-in-law was thrown into menopause after having a hysterectomy and likens her hot flashes to panic attacks with your skin on fire. During that stage of her life she would not be found in the amount of layers I am used to wearing in the winter. If you are in the throes of the change then layering can be as simple as a short sleeve blouse under a cardigan. That way, when you are flashing you can take the cardi off and still look polished. No sweat! (Pardon my unforgivable pun!)

Next week we'll explore Middle Earth!

Me? A Fashionista? Get Serious!

February 02, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Women's Fashion, Blogging, Fashionista, Shopping, God

When I began seriously thinking about starting this blog, I laughed at the idea of talking about fashion. My adult daughters would back me up when I say, I have not always been a fashionista. I still have a long way to go. And posing in front of a camera, don't make me laugh! Seriously, I am the one, who in every picture, has some strange contortion of the mouth. Either food is involved or I am talking passionately about something. I mean really! Every picture. My husband of 28 years assures me that I am a beautiful woman, but the camera has yet to agree with him.

With a new found interest in fashion, I began looking at magazines, noticing what people were wearing and perusing a number of blogs centering on women after 40. I am no expert, as I have already confessed, but I am fairly certain many women over 40 don't look like many of the bloggers that are posting pictures out there. Granted, I have only looked at a few blogs, but so many of them are pictures of thin, attractive women who are able to pull off skinny jeans without worry. This only fueled my desire to create a blog for actual women.

I am one of those women. I am slightly (okay, so maybe moderately) overweight, my skin is beginning to look like parchment and my hair feels more like dry grass than silk. I am not a fashion guru and I have no desire to walk the streets of New York City in high heeled booties. Sneakers, yes, or even a pair of stylish riding boots, but heels? No way. Working part time, parenting adult children, loving on a grandson and working at a marriage, my style has developed just as I have developed as a woman.

Most of my clothing comes from second hand stores, although I do have a few favorite retailers that I will mention at some point. I am so new to blogging, I am still figuring out how it works, so bear with me. Rather than give you incentives to buy what I buy, I would like to encourage you to shop in your own closet. Most of us have too many clothes! God bless you women out there who don't like to shop. It is an addiction just like sweets and I hope to eventually get on that wagon too!

My desire is to show you how to feel good about yourself whether you work outside the home or inside the home; dress in suits or jeans; use top of the line make up or none at all. The truth, ladies, is that God made women His piece de resistance. That's right, you are a jewel. Granted, some of us need more buffing than others, but I hope that you will find things on this blog that will help you shine.