Awesome Accessories - The Sheer Drape

August 11, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Clothing language, Clothing pieces, Dressing After 50, Layering

A question came to my mind when I decided to do this monthly column; what exactly is an accessory anyway? Is it only belts, jewelry, shoes, bags and hats? Can an item of clothing actually be an accessory? According to Webster's online dictionary the simple definition of accessory is: something added to something else to make it more useful, attractive or effective.

“an object or device not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience, or effectiveness of something else ”

— Webster's (Number 2 of full definition)

If that is the case, then anything you add to an outfit that makes it more attractive, convenient or effective (as in speaking the language of clothing) would qualify as an accessory. For this weeks accessory I decided to feature the sheer drape.

You saw this drape in last week's Piece Perfect column featuring the pleated skirt, see that here. While this is a clothing item, it is not something that I would ever wear by itself. I know in our world today women do wear sheer shirts and blouses with just their bras underneath, but as a Christian and a woman who values modesty I don't feel that it is necessary. Yes this would be lovely with a lacy bra and panties in a candlelit room with the hubby, but not out for lunch with the girls or on a date with the spouse to a show. So, for me, I feel this drape is more of an accessory. It adds dimension and flowy layers to an outfit.

For this post I am going to show you four ways that this gray sheer drape can be worn.

Belted open with a wide ribbon:

Belted closed with a wide belt:

Tied higher - waist level:

Tied lower - closer to hip level:

This is a particular type of drape. It is longer in the front than the back, so easy to tie. Not all drapes will be this cut, thus your options for styling them will be different. However, the drape is a great accessory to dress up any outfit. I could see this over a sleeveless dress, paired with some skinny jeans and tall strappy heels, or over a turtleneck sweater for a winter outfit with added dimension.

Here are the four looks together:

Now that I've tried this various ways, I am excited to style this as an accessory for other outfits. Hope you enjoyed this post on my Awesome Accessories column. Let me know what you think of this sheer drape. Would you wear one and how would you style it?

Until next time! Have a great weekend.

Denim Daze - Bermuda Shorts

August 09, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Denim clothing, Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion, Denim shorts

I don't wear shorts much anymore due to bad varicose veins, an unfortunate genetic problem passed down from both of my parents. But for the sake of versatility I decided to don a pair of denim bermudas to show how they could be styled for a casual day at the park or for a dressed up evening with the hubby. I am wearing support hose, just to make my legs look smoother and less black and blue. Ha, ha.

Not sure what I was looking at in this photo, but you know me...silly most of the time. I really like these shorts as they do not have belt loops or a zipper. They simply slip on with little tugging and twisting and they stay in place. What a wonderful day it was when manufacturers decided to add other fabrics to cotton denim, like spandex and polyester. It allowed more movement with denim pieces and made denim a go to choice for all sorts of occasions.

Graphic tees are in and always will be. What I like these days is that there are so many choices. I am really not one to advertise a product, like Diet Coke, although I am a die hard addict; or bands though I am going to see Alice Cooper with my younger daughter in October; but just a simple white crew neck with pictures that reminded me of my trip to England, I could do. I still may end up with a Diet Coke shirt or tee from the concert, but you don't have to settle for those types of tees when there are so many options available.

I just wore a simple black and gold bangle and carried my boho drawstring bag. Perfect accessories for this laid back, casual look. For shoes I kept it simple and comfy with my black espadrille flats.

To dress the outfit up, I changed my tee shirt for a dressy feminine sleeveless top. This top has an asymmetrical hem, front ruffle and little bits of bling throughout.

I added a two layer black bead necklace, two bracelets with black and silver and an envelope clutch made with a sparkly gray material. The final piece to dress this outfit up was to swap out the black espadrilles for a pair of strappy black sandals.

I found these sandals at a thrift store and must say I love them. The black straps are elastic and are pieced together with strips of patent leather. The back of the heel is also patent leather and has a zipper for easy in and out. You can also see the hemline of the shirt a little better. Notice the sheer black strip around the bottom for added length, dimension and detail.

Here are the two outfits side by side.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping a Similar Look:

Denim shorts - Macy's - $24.99

Graphic Tee - Kohl's - $26.40

Espadrilles - Zappos - $42.00

Boho woven bag - Rebecca Minkoff - $78.00

Feminine ruffle top - JC Penney - $15.99

Envelope clutch - Nordstrom - $49.00

Black sandals - DSW - $34.95

Hope you enjoyed this weeks' post. You can see how I styled a denim chambray shirt last week by clicking here. Let me know your ideas for styling a pair of denim shorts in the comments section below and be sure to like and share my page on Facebook.

Check back on Thursday for ways to wear an awesome accessory.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne Shane for Fashion Friday and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots.

Piece Perfect - The Pleated Skirt

August 04, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Clothing pieces, Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion, Pleated skirt

Like a puzzle, our wardrobes are made up of individual pieces, that when put together make a pretty picture or in this case ensemble. Most women have certain basic pieces in their closets. These pieces usually include basic pants, blouses, sweaters and so on, as well as jackets, bags and accessories. I have found that I sometimes own a piece that I really don't know what to do with, so this column is, in part, my attempt to style some of the things hanging in my closet that I haven't worn very often.

Today's perfect piece is a pleated skirt. Whether it be a maxi, a midi, knee length or above the knee, pleats create an outfit with a classic look. I usually think of pleated skirts as being more dressy, so I challenged myself to come up with a casual look, or in this post a work look and a more dressy look.

Yes, you did see this skirt earlier in the week when I paired it with a chambray shirt (here). For this look I kept it casual by wearing a white tank with a little strip of beadwork around the neck. The wide black belt and the black denim jacket give it an edgy vibe. I added a simple chain necklace which I double wrapped, a fringe drawstring bag with metal detailing and black wedge espadrilles.

You can see the metallic beadwork on the jacket, a little bit on the tank and the detailing on the fringe of the bag.

And we don't want to forget the shoes. I love this pair of Chaps that I found at Kohl's. They have a wedge heel with an enclosed toe. What I love is that they slip on and the wide black strap is elastic. They are super comfy and secure. Like, I've said before, I like the security of a shoe that won't fall off.

For the more dressy look, I exchanged the stiff denim jacket for a gray chiffon drape. I also swapped the chain necklace for a gray beaded double stand choker.

I also used my sparkly pewter clutch, which just keeps making appearances, and I changed the casual espadrilles for pewter square toed heels.

Here are the two outfit ideas side by side.

I think these two outfits are great transitional ensembles for late summer heading into fall. I see more possibilities for this skirt in the future. I can see it paired with tights and flats with a cute blazer for work, or boots and a chunky sweater when the days get colder.

Let me know if you have a pleated skirt and how you like to dress it up or dress it down. Be sure to like my posts on Facebook and Instagram as well. I appreciate the support. See you next time.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping for a Similar Piece:

Pleated Skirt

Nordstrom - $55.90 (Anniversary Sale - ends Aug. 8th)

Express - $69.90

Kohl's - $24.99 (juniors)

Denim Daze - The Chambray Shirt

August 02, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Denim clothing, Dressing After 50, Layering, Chambray shirt

Chambray is not a true denim. However, we can wear chambray like denim as far as wash and color. See the difference between these two fabrics by clicking on this link to Proper Cloth. That being said, I have included a chambray shirt in the denim series because it "looks" like denim. Chambray is much softer and more moveable than true denim, so I can wear a chambray shirt as a shirt or as a jacket as I show in my two looks for today, but I would not usually wear a denim jacket as a shirt as it is too stiff and thick.

For this casual look I tucked the polka dot chambray shirt into a pair of pink polka dot pants. Yes, I did some print mixing, but I felt that it worked because the print on the pants is so much smaller than the print on the shirt. I kept the look casual and a touch boho with my woven drawstring bag, beaded woven belt and the suede loafers as seen below. The jewelry is a simple strand of brown beads.

In the next look, the chambray shirt becomes a light weight jacket and is worn open over a light blush tank. These together, top a pleated maroon skirt. My pewter sparkly bag that I have used on other occasions (see here , here and here) is worn with the strap over the shoulder. I am showing the front and back of this look so you can see my hair which is pulled to the side in a chignon type bun.

In the above picture you can see the bling on the tank. Vertical stripes made with tiny metallic dots cover the top half of the shirt. It makes something so simple, dressy and I opted to not wear a necklace as the bling speaks for itself. I added a simple gold bracelet as my only jewelry. I love this bracelet. It has a spring hinge so it opens to put on and then snaps closed around my wrist; no struggling with a clasp. I wore my nude peep toe heels. I bought these shoes for my daughters wedding two years ago. They are classy, but fairly comfortable and with the strap there are no worries that my foot will fall out of my shoe.

I'm really starting to sound like i have security issues aren't I? Bracelets that snap around my wrist, shoes with straps around my ankles and if you continue to follow me you'll find I keep most things covered up. Does that make me insecure or comfortable, confident and mysterious? It all depends on how you look at things.

So here are the two looks side by side. Which one do you like better? What else do you like to do with your chambray shirts? Leave me a comment below.

Photo credits Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping the Key Pieces:

Chambray shirt - Kohl's - $24.99

Pants - Boscov's - $27.60

Loafers - 6pm - $77.99

Pleated skirt - ASOS - $49.00

Tank top - Nordstrom Rack - $28.97 (no bling, but very cute)

Nude heels - DSW - $39.95

Clutch - DSW - $34.95

Color Crash Course

July 28, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Color, Denim clothing, Dressing After 50, Spring Colors, Women's Fashion, Fall Colors, Pantone

The forth in a series of monthly columns on Thursdays, the Color Crash Course, will focus on color. Color is an important part of how we dress. Sometimes I pick my outfits according to color. Let's say pink. Maybe for a few days I pick something pink to center my outfits around. Usually it is a top or a cardigan or jacket. Now that I am learning more, I might pick a bag with pink in it and center my outfits around that bag, or maybe it is a statement necklace or a scarf. Color brings depth and dimension to our outfits.

Pantone is the gold standard in the fashion and interior design industry for determining seasonal colors. For example in the spring they came out with colors called Serenity Blue and Rose Quartz. You can see the outfits I designed around those colors here (Serenity) and here (Rose Quartz). Fall colors are now out and include names like Airy Blue, Sharkskin and Lush Meadow. I look forward to Pantone's seasonal color report because I like to draw on their ideas as a spring board for my own outfits. You might wonder how I do this without going out and buying a whole new wardrobe. Think small. I recently found a clutch at a thrift store in the green spectrum of Lush Meadow. I also own a number of items that would qualify as Sharkskin. My colors may not be exact matches to Pantone's, but again, they provide a spring board for my own fashion designs. Cyndi Spivey of Grace and Beauty did a great overview of Pantone's Fall color line up in her post Fall Fashion Color Report.

While I will be focusing in September on those fall colors put out by Pantone, this column will not be limited to those colors only. I want to use this 4th Thursday of the month to encourage you to try different color combinations as well as revisit some of the old classics. Have you ever thought, "I would never wear those colors together!" You know the saying, never say never! These days anything goes. Brown with black, red with pink, orange and green, you name it, it can go together. It's all about shades and undertone. Maybe you have also thought, "I'd never wear denim with denim or like color with like color." Again, never say never. Next month this column will feature a post on wearing denim with denim. If you can't wait that long, see what Janeane did of Designing From My Closet. She nailed the denim with denim look.

Occasionally, I will also look at pattern mixing. Mixing patterns is new to me, so I am still learning, but it will be fun to experiment. I would love your input. In the comments section below let me know what colors you like to wear, or what colors you have never thought to put together. Let's have fun with color!

Top pictures Pixabay. Bottom pictures Rebecca Trumbull.

Denim Daze - Intro

July 26, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Casual dressing, Clothing pieces, Dressing After 50, Denim origin, Denim clothing

Denim has been around for a very long time. According to this Wikipedia article, Denim first gained popularity in the US in 1873, when Jacob Davis, a tailor from Nevada was asked by a female customer to make a pair of durable pants for her husband to chop wood in. These were the first heavy work pants to have copper rivets to fasten the pockets. Davis' idea went wild. He contacted Levi Strauss with a proposal which lead to his employment by them as head of mass production in San Francisco. Denim has come a long way since its beginning as purely durable work wear. The stiff cotton of its early years has evolved into a variety of fabrics, cuts, colors and washes.

Just when denim became "fashionable" I am not sure, but right now denim is all the rage! Its birth and resurgence as a fashion piece has lead to manufacturers creating all sorts of stylish denim clothing that can be worn for play, work, evenings out and just about any event you might want to attend. Everything from shorts and jumpsuits, to blazers and dresses allow for great outfits that can go completely blue or paired with all sorts of prints and colors.

Denim is my favorite attire. I love casual dressing and denim allows me to have comfort and ease as well as a variety of options with which to pair it. One day I might pair skinny jeans rolled up with a pair of sneakers and a tank top, another day I might choose a skirt with a nice sweater and heels for work. Even though denim is typically blue, these days it comes in every color under the sun. I own black jeans, salmon jeans, tan jeans, white jeans and even green jeans! And that is only the tip of the iceberg. Oh the things we can do with denim vests, denim jackets and even denim bags! So much fun to style and to easy to wash and wear!

The month of August starts my series called Denim Daze. I will be taking five separate pieces and showing you two ways of styling them each Tuesday. This was a fun shoot for me. I am so much more relaxed and confident in denim. I guess my country girl vibe is showing. Not country, as in country music and cowboy boots, but the kind of country that says, easy comfort, playing outside, sitting by the fire, country!

I hope you will join me each Tuesday through the month of August and that you will be inspired to take that denim jacket and dress it up, or to take that denim skirt and show off its casual side.

Be sure to check back on Thursday this week to see the next new column, I will be featuring on my blog. Have a great week!

Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter.

Beautiful Blogger Bests

July 21, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Blogging, Color, Dressing After 50, Shopping, Textures, Women's Fashion

This is the third column I am adding to my fashion blog. When I started thinking about blogging my daughter told me I needed to follow other blogs to see how people set up their pages, what they were talking about and so on. I have simply fallen in love with some of the other blogs I follow.

I have found ideas, inspiration, motivation and encouragement through other bloggers. So in honor of their wonderful blogs and their great ideas, I have decided to do a feature once a month focusing on an idea that I saw on another blogger's post, by showing you my own version of their idea. Of course I want to give them all the credit, so I will be including links back to the original posts that inspired me.

Here are a few of the fashion bloggers that I love to follow:

Jodie's Touch of Style - Jodie is a retired cosmetic dentist. She has taken fashion, interior decorating and design classes and uses the things she has learned to enhance her knowledge of fashion for women over 50. I love how Jodie uses three generations of models; herself (50's), her step-mom, Nancy (60's) and her mom, Charlotte (70'). Many of the items you see, she has found at thrift stores, which is right up my alley. Jodie is a sweet, down to earth person, who wants to encourage all women to find their own style. I will be featuring a number of ideas from Jodie because I have learned so much from her.

Designing From My Closet - Janeane is a beautiful soul. Being an interior designer she has easily translated that ability into her fashion. She, like Jodie and myself, loves to create from her own closet, using pieces that she already has, or buying more inexpensively via thrift stores, using coupons and Poshmark. Janeane has inspired me in so many ways and has made me think more about intentional dressing. Dressing not just for an occasion, but looking at our style as a way to convey an image, emotion or message.

With Wonder and Whimsy - Liz has her own style and I love to see what she posts each time. Her style is full of color, lace and well, whimsy. Liz is not afraid to try new things and doesn't let her beautiful red hair keep her from wearing certain colors. She looks beautiful in them all! Whether she's styling an outfit up or an outfit down, Liz creates a cohesive look that inspires and motivates me to give new things a try.

A Pocketful of Polka Dots - Jennie is an administrative assistant and a blogger. She is the mother of 4 boys and hit a point in her 40's where she decided to do things differently, going from wearing mainly black to all sorts of color. She loves shoes and you'll love her collection too! I haven't been following Jennie for quite as long as the others, but I really like her style. Being a fan of casual dressing, I love her take on wearing jeans, Converse sneakers, tee- shirts and blazers.

Not Dressed as Lamb - Catherine is a well known, award-winning, blogger from the UK. Her sense of style is supported by the idea that no one should tell you what you can and cannot wear...no matter how old you are. She has no fear of mixing colors, patterns or textures. She knows how to bring a pop of color to a more subdued palette, but can also create an awesome outfit around something as unique as a pair of yellow pants. Catherine believes women should be able to wear what they want, when they want and look stylish while doing it.

These are only 5 of the bloggers I follow and there are many more out there including Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, High Latitude Style, Petite Over 40, JoLynne Shane, Grace and Beauty, Fifty is Not Old and more. As I learn and grow as a fashion blogger, I hope to expose those of you who follow me to even more of the beautiful bloggers that inspire me. The more I read and learn, the more I can't wait to try new ideas.

Be sure to check back next month for my first Beautiful Blogger inspired post. Have a great weekend!

Summer Outfit - Featuring Palazzo Pants

July 19, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Casual dressing, Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion

Before I introduce my denim series next week, I wanted to show you one more outfit from the last photo shoot I did. It was sort of a last idea in the series and I don't show it styled casual, only more dressy, but it would be easy to imagine it as a more casual outfit with just a few changes.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

I like the way this pair of palazzo pants fit. They are a little more snug than some of my other pairs, but that seems to have a more slimming effect. Plus the pattern runs more vertical than horizontal. I love the feel of palazzos, but I think you have to find the pattern and fit that works for you. Not every pattern or material works for everyone. That is part of the importance of finding your own style.

I styled these with my nude peep-toe heels, my white lace tee, gold accessories and a sparkly pewter clutch. I also included my neutral colored light weight cardigan. I adore this cardi. It has an open front, 3/4 length sleeves and is the perfect weight for summer.

Here, you can see a little more of the detail on the lace tee, and a little bit of the detailing on the long gold necklace with fringe and bead dangles on the end, the matching bracelet and a bit of the bling on the purse.

This outfit could quickly become casual, by swapping the heels for a pair of flip flops, the lace tee for one with an asymmetrical hem, some fun colored beads and a canvas hobo bag. Just click on the links below to find similar pieces for the dressy look or possible add ons for a more casual look.

Shopping the Look:

Palazzo pants - Loft - $64.99

Lace tee - Macy's - $27.99

Neutral Cardigan - Kohl's - $27.99

Peep-toe Heels - Macy's - $99.99

Clutch - Charming Charlie - $25.00

Necklace - Charming Charlie - $14.00

Suggested Casual Swaps:

Asymmetrical Tee - Soft Surroundings - $39.99

Sandals - DSW - $29.95

Bag - Kohl's - $30.00

Necklace - Charming Charlie - $15.00

Remember, fashion is for you. You decide what you want to wear. As bloggers we want to encourage you to find your own sense of fashion. If you enjoy these posts, do me a favor and invite your friends and family to subscribe. I appreciate every one of you. Be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what you thought of this week's outfit, or any suggestions you have for future posts.

Be sure to check back Thursday for my next new column which will feature the beautiful bloggers I love to follow and draw inspiration from. Until next time!

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots.

Awesome Accessories

July 14, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Blogging, Clothing language, Clothing pieces, Dressing After 50, Women's Fashion

The second Thursday of the month I am going to focus on accessories.

“My motto is to go wild on the accessories - the belts, the hair clips, the jewelry.”

— Heidi Klum

Accessories are those items that help make an outfit look complete. They can include jewelry, shoes, bags, scarves, hair clips, hats, belts and so on. Most often we put an outfit on and then decide how to accessorize it. What necklace goes well with this top? Should I wear bracelets with this sweater? Should I wear over-the-knee boots or heels? Do I carry a clutch or a hobo bag? So many questions and so many answers.

This column will look at different accessories and possible ways to style them. I'll try to answer questions that I have had about differences in shoes, bags, scarves and so on. Not everyone automatically knows how to tie an oblong scarf versus a square scarf. If you are like me, you probably didn't know how many different types of bags there are and I am not talking about the ones under your eyes! I hope to share what I am learning with those of you who read my blog about the importance of using accessories to add to your clothing "language".

I never used to think about styling an outfit around a scarf, or a bag, or a statement necklace, but now I do. In fact, I think putting a well thought outfit together can be fun. I love going into my closet and saying, "What can I put together?" Just like that puzzle idea I mentioned last week, finding the right pieces for an outfit and the right accessories can be a very satisfying experience. Do I feel satisfied every time, no, but I do find joy in the search, just like I enjoy finding pieces that fit together in a puzzle.

I hope, over the coming months, to show you different ways to wear a scarf, what makes a piece of jewelry a "statement piece", the ins and outs of purses and bags as well as look at other clothing items that might qualify more as an accessory rather than an actual item of clothing.

If there is anything you would like me to feature on this Awesome Accessory column, let me know by leaving a comment. I would adore you input! Thanks for following and have a great week.

Casual and Dressy: Outfit Recap

July 12, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Casual dressing, Clothing pieces, Dressing After 50, Fashionista, Denim Vest, Jeggings, Layering, Maxi skirt, Women's Fashion

This week I wanted to show you a recap of the last few weeks' outfits by showing the pictures side by side. This gives you a better idea of how I styled a piece casually and how I styled it more dressy.

The first two were styled around a pair of jeans. I swapped out the casual sneakers, tee and sweater for a dress and sparkly sandals.

These weeks revolved around a black maxi dress. Week 1 was a casual tee, espadrilles and yellow beads. Week 2 a sparkly vest, silver belt and black sandals.

The key piece in these posts was the white crop pants. Casual with the sparkly tee, dark wash denim button up and Keds was turned dressy by changing into a silky blouse, light weight sweater, neutral sandals and a sparkly pewter bag.

Here I styled a pair of light pink jeggings. Again you can see the change of shoes, top and jacket or sweater can take the look from casual to dressy.

In these final two posts there were only a few simple changes made. My black espadrilles were changed out for nude peep-toe heels, the pewter hobo bag became a sparkly pewter clutch, the jewelry switched from casual beads to shiny gold and the lace tee was tucked in a belt added.

I am, by nature a more casual dresser. I don't get dressed up for very many occasions, so this was a fun way to think about how I would make an outfit that started out casual, more dressy. I decided to take this adventure up a notch so starting in August I'll be doing another series on casual versus dressy styles, but this time using denim.

I hope you all enjoyed this series. Let me know your ideas for taking a casual style and turing it dressy. Have a great week.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style.

Piece Perfect

July 07, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Blogging, Dressing After 50, Fashionista, Layering, Women's Fashion, Clothing pieces, Color, Clothing language, Textures

I am playing with some new ideas on my blog. I feel the need to do a little more intentional posting about fashion related subjects. After all, there is so much more to fashion than just showing a picture of an outfit. Since I am truly a writer first and fashion blogger second, I thought why not put a little more emphasis on writing about fashion. I have no idea who will be interested, but the point is to use the ability I have been given, and if I can use that on an area other people are interested in, win, win!

My intention, then, is to begin a series of monthly columns, if you will, on different fashion related topics. The first Thursday of the month I will focus on clothing pieces.

Clothing is like a puzzle. Each outfit is a finished picture made up of a few, or many complementary pieces. An outfit is not as locked in as a puzzle, where the pieces have to go together in an exact way to make the intended picture. We have more freedom with our outfits to throw pieces together that, a few years ago, might have been considered taboo. Pairing a pair of jeans with a dress for instance (see my post of that here). We also can pair colors in an array as varied as the wildflowers along the highway (see my take here). The point is up to us. What am I trying to say with the outfit I put on this morning? If it is a jeans and sweatshirt sort of day, I am probably feeling a need for comfort. If I am wearing something I usually don't wear, I may be feeling bold or daring. This, of course, can transcend our closets and seep into our make up and accessories. I never wear red lipstick. The day I do, I will be saying, "Look at me! I have made a change and I am proud of it!" Ha, ha.

Clothing is part of our language. It enables us to speak without using words. Perhaps that is why I like bright colors and fun textures. It speaks volumes about the person I am on the inside, not just the woman on the outside. Colors speak to the deep inner joy I have found in my relationship with Christ. I expect that heaven will be filled with colors I can't even imagine. Color is such a powerful form of expression. On a drab, gray, winter day I often reach for bright pink or blue to chase the blahs away. Think of your favorite place to vacation or your favorite local coffee shop or restaurant. I bet one of the reasons they appeal to you has to do with color: the blues of the ocean on a sunny day, the oranges of a log fire on a cool fall evening, the calming greens of the coffee shop walls or the dark wood of that Irish pub. Color can speak volumes. Textures can also add a dimension to our clothing language. When I am feeling girly, I reach for ruffles or lace. When I am feeling cold and want comfort I reach for a heavy cable knit or a soft cashmere sweater.

Piece Perfect will focus on different pieces in our wardrobes that can be foundational for building a great outfit. I will try to have an outfit post to go with the piece I have selected. Occasionally, I might show pictures of the piece along with possible complementary items and accessories. I hope that you will enjoy reading this new portion of my blog and that you will come back each month as I feature a different clothing piece. The first piece I will be styling next month will be a pleated skirt. Be sure to check back the first Thursday of next month.

Leave me a comment below about the colorful places you like to visit! Until next time.

Styling a Maxi Skirt with a Denim Vest - Post 2

July 05, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion, Maxi skirt, Denim Vest

This week my post doesn't have a dramatic change from last week (see the casual look here). I am still wearing the same skirt, lace tee and denim vest. The only changes made had to do with my accessories.

Last week I styled this look more casually with black espadrilles. This week they were swapped out for my nude peep toe heels. I tucked the lace tee in rather than leaving it out and I added a belt for a more polished look.

In addition, I changed out the casual beaded necklace for a long gold chain with gold fringe and dangles with a matching bracelet. The gold also matched the gold of the belt.

Lastly I added my sparkly pewter clutch. It is amazing how easy it is to change an outfit from casual to dressy. All you need is a few different accessories and a little creativity. The great thing about this sort of styling is that you can just throw a few things in a bag and go from the office to a night out with just a few simple changes.

Photos by Rebecca Trumbull. Make up by Rachel Christensen.

Shop the look:

Print maxi skirt - Macy's - $55.99

Denim vest - Christopher and Banks - $44.95

Lacy white tee - Christopher and Banks - $39.95

Nude peep toe heels - Zappos - $69.00

Belt - Mod Cloth - $22.99

Necklace - JC Penney - $16.80

Next week I will be doing a recap of all these looks, so you can see them side by side. I hope you have enjoyed this series. Have a great week.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots and the Ageless Style Link Up and with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Friday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots.

Styling a Maxi Skirt with a Denim Vest - Post 1

June 29, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion

I've had some people suggest that I post both pictures from these last few weeks to see the casual and the dressy photos side by side. I will be doing a post recap in a couple weeks where I will show all the outfits styled both ways, so keep that in mind.

This week's post centers around a boho type maxi skirt styled with a denim vest. I am wearing a white tee that has a lacy layer in the front. I told my daughter that our next shoot needs to feature photo's with more details. We were in a hurry when we did this shoot, just trying to get some pictures for posts, then go to a movie. Next time we won't have something scheduled after our shoot, so we can take our time.

You can see the bling on this denim vest that I got from Christopher and Banks. I have decided, bling is one of my style staples. You can just make out the lacy overlay of the tee shirt. The necklace was a longer bead and metal mixed type that I doubled to make a casual chic choker. I like the way it brings the colors in the skirt up around my face.

Here you can see the colors of the skirt, which included red, black, off white and a touch of pink. I wore my black espadrilles and carried a small pewter hobo bag. We bloggers are trying to encourage you to think outside the "fashion" box and realize, you don't always have to match your bag with your shoes. I still tend to lean to the conservative side when it comes to matching. I chose the pewter bag as it creates a cohesiveness in the outfit with the silver on my necklace and the metal buttons on my vest. I also wore my tee hanging out creating that casual, comfortable feel and look.

This one was just for fun! I look as though I am seeing a spider, but I think my daughter was telling me to look at my feet. The problem was, with the maxi skirt on I couldn't see my feet. When I saw this picture it made me laugh and I hope it makes you smile as well. That is me, a real, actual woman! Ha. ha.

Shopping the Look:

Print maxi skirt - Macy's - $62.99

Denim vest - Christopher and Banks - $44.95

Lacy white tee- Christopher and Banks - $39.95

Black espadrilles - DSW - $39.95

Beaded necklace - JC Penney - $16.80

Hobo bag - JC Penney - $38.50

Have a great week and be sure to check back next week for Post 2 on styling a maxi skirt and denim vest.

Tuesday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, and JoLynne at the Fashion Friday link up.

Between the Lines: Final Week and Styling a Light Pink Pair of Jeggings - Post 2

June 21, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Casual dressing, Dressing After 50, Jeggings, Layering, Women's Fashion

It is hard to believe that our Between the LInes series, started by Katherine at http://katherinescorner.com/ is drawing to a close. This series featured all sorts of bloggers over the age of 50. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link for the final installment.

This week I took my light pink jeggings and styled them in a fun, casual way. I used to find it hard to pair things with pink, but my fashion eyes have been opened and I think color matching or mismatching is all about what you love and what you want to say with your clothes. I still have a disposition towards matching, but I am trying to get away from that more and more. A real statement can be made by putting "clashing" colors together.

I never used to think that orange and pink went together. Or that it was just too much, but pairing a bright, true orange with these pale pink jeggings is a perfect blend of bright and subtle.

This cute little jacket that I found at a thrift store is a colorful statement piece. It is full of varying shades and psychedelic patterns that pair perfectly with the solid top and pants. I can't wait to try this jacket with some other pieces. The gold belt is a great way to pull in my waist and the color matches perfectly with the embellishment on the tank top.

I ended up wearing my leopard print flats with the outfit, just as another way to mix things up. I think adding a leopard print or a gold clutch would have pulled the whole outfit together. I also would have added a bracelet or some bright colored bangles. Rolling up the legs on the jeggings adds to the casual look.

I enjoyed putting this outfit together and felt it expressed a little of my bohemian, gypsy inner vibe. Trying to stretch ourselves as fashion bloggers and as women, I am finding that there are things I like and things I don't. I am trying to be more open minded to different color combinations and find my own sense of fashion. I am a work in progress and so are you. Embracing that fact is the first step in becoming your own person with your own style.

Shopping the Look:

Light pink jeggings - Chico's - $39.98

Embellished tank - Kohl's - $30.80

Print jacket - Chico's - $44.98

Gold belt - J.C.Penney - $30.00

Leopard flats - DSW - $49.95

Click on the link below for the last installment of the Between the Lines series.

Tuesday linking up with Catherine from Not Dressed as Lamb and Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Nicole from High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne Shane for Fashion Friday, and Jennie from a Pocketful of Polka Dots.

Between the Lines: Week 8 and Styling a Light Pink Pair of Jeggings - Week 1

June 14, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion, Jeggings

Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page for Week 8 of the Between the Lines series featuring more great bloggers over 50.

This week my key featured piece is a pair of light pink jeggings from Chicos. I found this pair at a thrift store and they are a little big around the waist, but fit perfectly through the hips and legs. The color is very light, so could be worn just like a white pair of pants.

This week's look is a little more dressy. The top was a Penney's find. I should have taken a picture of it without the short sleeve sweater, so you could see the floral print. The flowers are large and include the colors red, pink, purple and a little splash of yellow. I added a long red beaded necklace and red peep toe wedges. I put the black fly away sweater over top as an added layer for air conditioned restaurants and buildings.

I added my yellow bag to go with the splashes of yellow on the top. This was a fun look for me and I would feel comfortable wearing this to a variety of events.

Next week I'll show you how I took this same pair of jeggings to a more casual look.

Shopping the Look:

Jeggings - Chicos - $39.98

Floral Top - JC Penney - $15.99

Black Sweater - Kohl's - $21.99

Necklace - Kohl's - $14.30

Shoes - Nordstrom - $39.96

Bag - Kohl's - $33.00

Be sure to click on the link below to see more of our over 50 bloggers featured at Katherine's Corners.

Tuesday linking up with Catherine from Not Dressed as Lamb, and Jess from Elegantly Dressed and Stylish.

Between the Lines: Week 7 and Styling A Pair of White Crop Pants - Part 2

June 07, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion

Several weeks ago I styled a pair of white crop pants for a casual look. You can see that post here. This week you can see how I dressed up the look by changing the top, shoes and adding a sparkly bag.

The sandals are a taupe color and the clutch is what I would call pewter. I think it worked well together and you can't really tell they aren't the same color. The bag is covered in sparkles. I love my bling!

The blouse is a sleeveless button up made out of a light weight polyester that I bought at Kohl's by Vera Wang. I am not a big fan of polyester being the sole content of a clothing item, particularly in the summer. It can be hot, but this was not too heavy and for an evening out, or in the air conditioning I have no worries of getting too sweaty. The coloration is hard to see, but it has almost a greenish, gray tint in splotches along with the black and white.

I also topped this outfit with a barely tan 3/4 length sleeve sweater. I love the feel of this piece and use it often in the summer. It is so soft, light weight and comfy and can be dressed up or down. I added some simple metal jewelry. The necklace is a pair of gold an silver rings linked together on a silver chain, and I am wearing a gold cuff. Sorry we didn't have more detailed pictures from this shoot. But hopefully you get the idea.

I showed you these last two pictures to show you that I am an actual woman, and sometimes a bit silly.

Shopping the Look:

White Crop Pants - Christopher and Banks - $59.95

Print Blouse - Kohls - $33.00

3/4 Sleeve Sweater - Denim and Co. - $38. 50

Sandals - DSW - $39.95

Clutch - DSW - $29.95

Be sure to click on the link below for the 7th installment of the Between the Lines series, featuring bloggers over 50.

Tuesday linking up with Catherine from Not Dressed as Lamb and the Ageless Style link up with Jennie at a Pocketful of Polkadots. Wednesday linking up with Allison from Sydney Fashion Hunter and Tania from 50 is Not Old.

Between the Lines Week 6 and What to Wear to a Graduation Party

May 31, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Layering, Casual dressing, Dressing After 50, Women's Fashion

Since I was out of town last week, I am including the link for both Weeks 6 and 7 in the Between the Lines series on Women Bloggers over 50. Be sure to read to the bottom of the page and click on the link to see other great women bloggers over 50. The link will take you to Katherine's Corners. Katherine is the blogger who came up with the idea for this series to introduce us and you to the other many bloggers over 50. These bloggers write about everything from fashion and cooking to home redo's and gardening. Just scroll to the bottom of Katherine's page and click on the links that you find interesting. Maybe you'll find a few new friends to follow. I have.

I apologize that these pics are so horrible, but it was what I had to work with using my flip phone. Yes, I am still part of the dark ages. Ha, ha.

I found this cute sleeveless dress at Kohl's for only a few dollars on the mark down rack. It has a gathered waist, and came with a dark blue ribbon to bring in the dark blue of the fabric. The hem is asymmetrical and the dress is lined with a soft stretchy fabric, just like the outer shell, so it moves easily.

As it was a cooler day, I put my dark wash button up on as a jacket and wore leggings and my navy Ked sneakers. I accessorized with a navy flower necklace from Christopher and Banks and two navy bracelets. Sometimes, I just love everything to match. I am trying to get away from that, but nothing makes me feel quite as put together as an outfit that has single color theme. I carried a small pewter colored hobo bag which was perfect for the few things I wanted to take to the party.

I loved the blue of this outfit, but it could easily be less "matchy" by throwing on a different colored pair of wedge sandals and a bag, maybe in a tan or beige color. Or you could add bright colored yellow accessories, or a pastel colored sweater or light weight jacket.

I'd love to hear your ideas on how to change up this outfit. Let me know in the comments section below!

Next week, I'll be back to my two parter series on single pieces. If you remember I left off with a casual take on white crop pants. Next week, we'll look at a more dressed up version. Thanks for following!

Shop the Look:

Printed Dress - Kohl's - $39.99

Dark Wash Denim Shirt - Aeropostale - $21.80

Keds - Keds - $45.00

Jewelry - J.C. Penney - $18.00

Tuesday Linking up with Catherine at Not Dressed As Lamb and Jess at Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania at 50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Nicole at High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Jennie at A Pocketful of Polka Dots and JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday Link up party.

Between the Lines: Week 5 and Styling a Pair of White Crop Pants - Part 1

May 17, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Layering, Dressing After 50, Casual dressing, Women's Fashion

It's Fashion Tuesday again and that means a new outfit and another segment in the Between the Lines series, which features bloggers over 50. Be sure to read to the bottom of this post where you'll find the link to Katherine's Corners and the next ten bloggers featured in this series.

This week the clothing item I feature is the white crop pant. This pair, I found at Christopher and Banks on clearance. I tried on a bazillion (well, maybe not that many) white pants looking for a pair that had several features. First, they couldn't be see through. Second, they had to be made of fabric that wouldn't wrinkle the first time I sat down in them and third they had to fit my body!

You can't see in these pics, but the pants have little rhinestones on the front of the lower leg adding a bit of bling. Wanting to keep the bling throughout, I paired the pants with a gray tee with rhinestones scattered over the front and my gray sneakers with sparkly dots. I added the denim button up as a light weight jacket, and for that pop of color added a few yellow bracelets and a yellow bag.

The pants have a stretchy feel to them and there are no zippers or buttons to have to deal with. They basically pull on and sit nicely around the waist and through the hips. I am a big fan of Christopher and Banks clothing, but especially their jeans and pants.

Next week my hubby and I will be on vacation. So the second part of this series will be the following week. I hope to post a few things from our travels, so check in sometime next week. My internet service will be spotty as we will be camping part of that time.

Shop a Similar Look:

White crop pants - Christopher and Banks - $59.99

Gray Tee - Kohl's - $19.99

Dk Wash Button Up - Asos - $43.50

Gray Tennis Shoes - Macy's - $39.00

Yellow Bag - Kohl's - $33.00

Yellow Bracelets - Charming Charlie - $10.00

Click on the link below to view Week 5 in the Between the Lines series.

Between the Lines: Week 4 and Styling a Simple Black Maxi Dress - Part 2

May 10, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion

Last week I styled a simple black maxi dress with a more casual look by adding a striped tee over top, Buttercup colored jewelry and black espadrille shoes. This week I wanted to dress the same maxi up a little bit more for an outfit that could be worn for an evening out with the hubby.

As you can see I took off the striped tee and put on a long vest. This vest is covered in clear sequins, so it has a glittery affect. The vest is a fly away style, so to give me a leaner, more polished look I added a metal belt. The belt is silver, although in this picture it almost looks pink (not sure why). I added a simple silver necklace and changed my shoes for a pair of block heel sandals.

Yes, I do have my Fitbit on, and luckily the color wasn't too bad with this outfit. I really should have taken it off and put on some sort of silver bracelet. As I said before, I wasn't exactly prepared for this shoot. When I was at home putting things together, I had bags and jewelry all figured out and then when I got to my daughter's apartment to do the shoot, we were limited by time and I kept forgetting what I was going to put with what. Ha, ha. Guess I need to start writing things down. Yes, I am an over 50 blogger! Be sure you read all the way to end of this post so you can follow our In Between the Lines series, featuring 10 more great bloggers over 50.

There are plenty of other ways to style this simple black maxi dress. Give me some of your suggestions in the comments section below. I'd love to get your feedback.

Shop a similar look:

Black maxi dress - Nordstrom - $38.90

Vest - Elder Beerman - $26.39

Silver belt - Macy's - $34.00

Silver necklace - Blue Nile - $40.00

Sandals - Macy's - $69.00

This week's link ups: Monday - Not Dressed As Lamb, Tuesday - Elegantly Dressed and Stylish,

Between the Lines: Week 3 and Styling a Simple Black Maxi Dress - Part 1

May 03, 2016 by Amy Christensen in Casual dressing, Blogging, Dressing After 50, Layering, Women's Fashion

The next few weeks I want to show two ways for styling a certain piece. This week I am focusing on a simple, knit black maxi dress. The dress itself is very plain. It has a sleeveless tank type top and a straight skirt with no form to it. Some people might use a maxi like this a swimsuit cover up or for lounging around the house when they don't have to go to work. The beauty of this dress is that it is reasonably priced, light weight, doesn't require a slip underneath and very comfortable..

For this particular outfit I simply threw a gray and black striped tee over the top. The shirt is very light weight as the black stripes are made of a sheer see through material and the grey stripes are lighter weight knit. I added a pop of color with the Buttercup yellow beaded necklace and bracelets and lastly stepped into a very comfortable pair of black espadrilles.

All Photos by Rebecca Trumbull, Make Up Rachel Christensen

This was a very comfy outfit and would be great for an evening stroll along the beach or boardwalk. Or for a casual day of shopping. Next week I'll show you how to dress this simple maxi up for a night out!

Shop A Similar Look:

Black Maxi-dress - J.Crew - $44.50

Gray and Black Striped Tee - Target (longer version - would look cute belted) - $19.99

Black shoes - DSW - $49.95

Necklace - Etsy - $22.00 or $16.00

Bracelet - Etsy - $9.00

Be sure to check out the next ten Over 50 Bloggers in the Between the Lines series by clicking on the image below. That will take you to Katherine's Corners. Katherine was wonderful enough and ambitious enough to start this series two weeks ago. Every week she features 10 bloggers over 50. These are bloggers who do everything from cook and farm to furniture redos and fashion. Head on over and give them some love!

Linking up with Top of the World Style, Sed Bona, Turning Heads Tuesday. Also linked up with Sydney Fashion Hunter.