Winter Wonderland - Week 3

Here we are less than a week away from Christmas! What????? I cannot believe how fast time flies by. When I was playing with my grandson today, I spent a few moments just looking at his cute little face (something we grandmas like to do) and I wondered what happened to that little tiny burrito that I held in my arms six years ago! Time keeps its own pace and doesn't ask how we feel about it, even if we would like it to slow down a little.

This week's day to night outfit revolves around a faux leather pencil skirt. Once again, I reached for the burgundy color to pair with my grays. I just love how these two colors work with one another, almost like a lovely dance with the burgundy confidently taking the lead and the gray coming along for the ride.

For my day look, I chose to style an outfit for work. The look is still casual, but more professional. This would also be a great look for a lunch get together with the hubby or the girlfriends.

Wearing a light gray tunic sweater I wanted to add a little more color by my face so I chose this oblong, multi colored scarf. I love the way the scarf draws in the burgundy of the skirt.

Here is a closer look at the scarf. Try to imagine the look without the scarf and I feel I would be a bit washed out, but adding the scarf and my Mary Kay Mystic Plum lip color adds a wow factor. This close up of the scarf shows you the lovely purple and burgundy tones. I added a brooch to hold the scarf together. A shout out to Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style for motivating me to get reacquainted with pins and brooches. Another way to add some bling to our outfits.

I added a dark gray clutch that can be used as shoulder bag. It has a chain for a strap so I wouldn't put anything real heavy in it. To keep the look more casual, I wore my gray suede wedge heel ankle boots. 

To transform the look into more of a night time go out on a date look I swapped out the scarf for a chiffon kimono and gold layered necklace. 

Instead of the gray clutch I carried a gold woven one to go with the gold necklace. I also swapped out my casual gray ankle boots for a low heeled black pump.

Here is a back view of the kimono. It has a bit of a hi lo hemline and while for this outfit I wore it more as a jacket, I could see pairing with a belt and leggings for more of a tunic look.....oooo good idea for another post. I really need to write these ideas down when I get inspired or I will forget! 

After my daughter had loaded these pics onto her computer she said she wasn't real happy with our back drop because of the busyness. Now I see what she meant. Too many leaves and branches and lights. Ha, ha. But she's the professional. I still think it looks pretty. 

So here are my two outfits side by side. 

Let me know what you this of these outfits. Do you think the look transitions from day to night? What would you have done differently? I love to hear your comments, because I don't know everything and fashion has so many aspects to it that I don't even think of. So don't be afraid to leave a comment. I appreciate the input. I do respond to all comments and you can just check back on the post later to see what I've said.

Shopping the look:

Faux leather skirt (black - other choices in burgundy available on ebay, etsy, etc.) - Macy's - $59.50

Gray tunic sweater (many sizes in light gray sold out - this is another option) - Macy's - $41.99

Kimono - Essential Apparel - $28.80

Ankle Boots - DSW - $49.95

Clutch - Charming Charlie - $29.00

Necklace - Charming Charlie - $18.00

Monday linking up with Michelle of Michelle's Pa(i)ge and Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb.

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Leopard Print with Maroon/Burgundy

This month the Beautiful Blogger I am sharing is Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Jennie is an amazing fashion blogger. I love her sense of style and the fact that she is not afraid to try different looks. Jennie does everything from casual to dressy, boho to edgy. Check out Jennie's About page to learn more about this actual woman, wife, mother to four sons and full time administrative assistant (how does she do it all?). 

If you click on this link Shhh! It's Secret Celebrity, it will take you to the post outfit that I derived my inspiration from. While Jennie was specifically showing off the shoes that were gifted to her from Camtrade Footwear, I just loved the outfit she put together. The mixing of the leopard print sweater with the maroon lace top, the black jeans and the maroon shoes simply called out to me to give it a try. 

Let me preface this by saying, I never knew there were so many variations on the colors we refer to as maroon or burgundy. If you look at Jennie's top in her post, I would say it is more of a maroon, as maroon has more of a purple undertone. In my post I think my top is more red, so I would probably say it is more of a burgundy. Ha, ha. Once again, you can call it whatever you want. 

Here is my outfit. My leopard print cardigan is a button up with 3/4 length sleeves. With the single digit temps we are having here in the Midwest, I will generally wear long sleeves with layers underneath. I might save this sweater for when it warms up again, or wear a long sleeve top underneath and let the longer sleeves show. This is an older pair of black ankle jeans.

Would you say I am doing some print mixing? The pattern on the lace top and the print on the sweater are definitely mixing it up! Print mixing doesn't always have to be pairing different colored prints together. It can also be pairing different textures and patterns together. Why does this work? I think it is due to the fact that the top is one solid color. Try imagining it with a leopard print blouse under a lacy solid color jacket. It still works. I think the black trim on the top also helps pull the two pieces together with the black trim on the cardi. 

In Jennie's post she wears a gold necklace. Gold looks great with both the leopard print and the maroon/burgundy top. 

Here are those shoes again! They just seem to keep popping up in my posts! Ha, ha. I never knew when I tried them on at the thrift store that they were going to be so versatile.

I love the inspiration I receive from following other bloggers. Not only do they inspire me to try new things, but they inspire me to share ideas with you. I hope you will check out Jennie's blog and give her some love! 

Thanks for following along today. I hope you have a great weekend! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shop the Look:

Leopard print cardigan - Target - $13.79

Maroon/burgundy lace top - JC Penney - $14.99

Black ankle pants - Macy's - $23.99

Shoes - DSW - $44.99 or DSW - $49.95

Winter Wonderland - Week 2

This series for the month of December focuses on taking a more casual day time outfit and making it more party ready. Last week my efforts focused on a pair of jeans and a graphic sweatshirt. This week I take the casual day time look up a notch picking pieces I would be more likely to wear to work.

Here I am featuring a piece in the line of the berry or wine color again. Last week it was my shoes and two different jackets. You can see that post here. I love this color paired with gray. I topped the dress pants with a thin long sleeved cowl neck sweater. Over that I layered a holiday sweater that I got last year at Christopher and Banks. 

What drew me to this zip up cardigan was the design on the front. It looks like a winter city scape with pine trees and sparkles which represent the stars in the night sky. It doesn't have to be for Christmas and that is part of why I liked it. I can wear it all winter long.

I carried my berry colored fringe bag and wore a simple silver fringe necklace.  You can also see I kept the look more casual by leaving the cowl sweater untucked.

Here is a close up of the necklace and you can see a little of the detail on the sweater.

For shoes,  I chose my shiny Oxfords. I have worn these shoes to work on several occasions as they look nice, and are quite comfortable. 

To take this look from day to night I made only a few simple changes. First I changed shoes from the Oxford to the higher heeled black ankle boot. 

Sorry that my boots were looking a little less than spiffy! 

I removed the sweater and donned a brocade vest. When I looked at the pictures after my daughter had downloaded them for me, I realized how similar the color scheme was between the vest and sweater. When I first looked at the pictures I couldn't even tell that I had made a change. So maybe next time a different color vest would be better. I don't know, what do you think?

To add to the dressed up look, I accessorized with gold. The gold fringe necklace took the silver one's place and the gold woven bag added some shine to the outfit. In addition I added a front tuck and wore a thin belt with some gold detail. 

When I put these pieces together, I really liked the combination of colors. The gold adds rich detailing when combined with the wine colored pants and gray sweater. 

Once again, here are the outfits side by side. As you can see, just changing a few details can change the attitude of an outfit. The first outfit says, professional, but warm and comfy. The second outfit says festive and rich with textures and colors. 

I hope you enjoyed today's post. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Have a great day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Shopping the look:

Pants - Kohl's - $36.99 (skinny ponte pants)

Gray Cardigan - J.Jill - $49.99

Gray Cowl Neck Long Sleeve Tee - Kohl's - $17.99

Brocade vest - Etsy - $25.00

Black oxfords - DSW - $49.94

Black ankle boots - DSW - $59.95

Gold clutch - Charming Charlie - $22.00

Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania of 50 is not Old, Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Tif of Bright on a Budget,  and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. Saturday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. 

Awesome Accessories - Boots

Do you ever have one of those days? Or weeks? Or months? Or years? Ha, ha. Where you just feel like, "i'm tired!" Or maybe even like giving up? You feel like you really aren't making a difference and all the work is not worth it! That is how I am feeling this week. Between my daughter's plumbing problems (which turned into two nights of water streaming into her closet), extra running back and forth, working extra hours and various other annoyances that I won't go into, like the fact that I typed this whole post once already and then it all disappeared! Don't you love technology? Ha, ha.

Oh well. Enough of my rant. Just being real here folks. Now onto my blog post.

Let's talk boots! Whether we are talking work boots, rain boots or fashion boots, boots have long had a place in our wardrobes. From farmers to construction workers, to officers in the military to fashionista's and fashion bloggers we all need or want to wear boots at some time or other. Winter is  prime boot season and today I just wanted to share a few of my favorite styles with you.  

These berry colored suede booties are one of my new favorites. Another thrift store find, I love the color, the texture, the height of the heel and added platform under the ball of the foot. They are very easy to walk in and versatile enough to wear with jeans, skirts, dresses, dress pants and leggings. 

This style and the ones following are what we would refer to as ankle boots. They fall just above the ankle and again are versatile enough to wear with many different clothing pieces. Ankle boots come in a variety of fabrics, patterns, and heel heights. They also zip, lace up or just pull on. They are a great staple for any wardrobe, especially for seasonal transition times like fall to winter.

I really like the wedge on this gray suede pair. It is just talk enough to say I have a heel, but super comfortable. I wear these to work and even out for a day of shopping.

This brown pair of boots is what I would call a mid-calf height. I like this height as I can still tuck my pants into them, but then I can also wear leg warmers which can add warmth, color and texture to the outfit. These are super comfy and I love the motorcycle vibe they give off.

The knee-high black boot is one I find myself wearing again and again. I actually have two pairs right now. These which are a typical riding boot and then I have a pair that have a low heel, for a little dressier look. Again, these are very comfy and can be worn in many different ways. 

The only other boot, I have yet to attain is an over-the-knee boot. Maybe for Christmas! If I do get a pair you will be sure to see them in January! 

I hope you enjoyed this post on boots. What height boot is your fave? Be sure to leave me some love in the comments section below or on Facebook. I appreciate your input and support.

Photo credits Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Boots:

Dress Bootie - Payless - $22.00 (also this - $25.00)

Wedge heel - Tom's - $69.90

Ankle boot - Steve Madden - $75.00

Mid-calf boot - Rogan's Shoes - $56.24

Riding boots - DSW - $69.95

Winter Wonderland - Week 1

As I begin writing this post, it is 9:30 at night. I usually get started a tiny bit sooner, but my younger daughter had an emergency, so my husband and I, after finishing our dinner out, drove over to her apartment to see if we could help. The cold water supply pipe to her water heater burst! By the time we got there, maintenance was on site vacuuming up gallons of water that had sprayed out in Niagara Falls type form in my daughter's bedroom closet. Obviously, in apartment living these sorts of disasters not only affect you, but your neighbors as well. While maintenance was doing their job of fixing and cleaning, I held the chinchilla who had been doused with cold water. I wrapped the fat little guy up in a blanket and he soon stopped shivering. After the two men left with their huge shop vac, I helped my daughter go through dresser drawers, bags and boxes that had become soaked in the flood. I cannot imagine what people who go through actual flooding feel. This was overwhelming enough!

All that said, it is time for the start of my Winter Wonderland series. When I stared thinking about this, I was envisioning snow as my backdrop, but all I got was gray and drab. A typical midwest winter! Ha, ha. So we did what we could for our photos.

The idea behind this series was to show some of the textures and styles that we often see in the winter months. This being December I also wanted to choose outfits that could be taken from day to night or work to celebrations with just a few minor changes. 

This day time look is all about casual and warm. Rock and Republic skinny jeans, black knee high boots and a black double breasted jacket look sharp and classic. 

To add some fun to my casual outfit, I wore a short sleeve gray tee with a light weight Beatles sweatshirt over top. I added a scarf with some silver threads and my maroon fringe bag. Voila!

Details of scarf.

Details of the bag. You are going to see this color come up again and again in this series. Whatever color you want to call it, burgundy, wine, maroon, it doesn't matter. I think is is a beautiful winter color, so I'll be working it!

In the above photo you get a better look at the jacket buttoned. This is not a jacket I would wear to be warm. It is more like a blazer than an actual coat. However when you layer pieces you can get away with wearing this for a coat. Especially if you are not going to be spending hours outside.

And here is a closer look at the boots. I wore a pair of leg warmers with them as well, just for extra warmth and texture.

For the night version of this casual outfit I swapped out the heavy dark jacket and threw on my faux velvet one. I changed from knee hight boots to maroon heeled booties and changed the fringe bag for one with a bit more shimmer. I was having problems with the heels on these shoes, not only sinking into the ground, but getting attached to leaves. Ha, ha.

Instead of the scarf I wore three silver necklaces, just to add some bling. It is amazing to me how just a little bling or shimmer can take an outfit from casual to dressy.

I was having a hard time standing with these shoes on this ground.....

I had this other longer jacket, so I threw in a picture of that as well. I just wanted to show you different ways you could style the same outfit.

Can you guess which of these three was my favorite? I'd love to hear your favorites in the comments section below.

Thanks for following along. Be sure to check back on Thursday when my Awesome Accessories column will take a look at boots.

Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping the looks:

Rock & Republic Jeans - Kohl's - $59.99 (on sale)

Double Breasted Blazer - Macy's - $64.99 (this one is velvet)

Beatles shirt - Fab Four Store - $34.99

Black Knee High Boots - DSW - $69.95

Scarf - Charming Charlie - $19.00

Velvet Jacket - ModCloth - $79.99

Suede Heeled Booties - DSW - $49.95

Longer Jacket - Nordstrom - $89.00 (also velvet)

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter, Tania of 50 is not Old, and the Ageless Style Link Up. Friday linking up with JoLynn Shane in the Fashion Friday Link Up Party, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots,  Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, 

Piece Perfect - The Navy Blazer - Part 2

Last month I showed you two ways to wear a navy blazer with a dress and a skirt (click on the words to see that post).

Because I found so many ways to style this navy Ralph Lauren blazer, I felt I needed another post to give it, its due! Today I'll be wearing the blazer with two different pant outfits. As usual I try to do one that is more casual and one that is more dressy.

Casual Look - 

Being a woman of layers, I took advantage of all the pieces I possibly could! I started with a gray tee with bling, put a rusty orange cardi over that, then threw the blazer over the top. I paired the tops with my white/gray snakeskin jeans and a pair of gray, suede mid-calf boots. Finally, I pulled the whole look together with an oblong scarf with similar colors.

You can see how I styled the gray tee, here and the snakeskin jeans, here in previous posts.

I am using my orange bag as well. 

Dressy look -

For my dressier pant look I wore these dark color dress pants. Sometimes they look gray and sometimes they look brown, so I will say they are brownish-gray. I wore my printed pussy bow blouse and threw on some simple, non-colored jewelry. 

There you have it. A good quality, fitted blazer is a must for every woman't wardrobe. Here are this week's outfit's side by side. 

I hope you enjoyed seeing all the ways you can style this versatile piece. A blazer can take your wardrobe from small to large and it can take it from dull to dynamic. Whether the blazer is blue, black, gray or red, it can be a great piece to have in your closet.

Be sure to check back next week for the start of my Winter Wonderland series on Tuesday. 

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Pieces:

Blazer - J.Crew Factory - $79.00

Snakeskin jeans - Macy's - $21.99

Orange cardi - Target - $19.99

Gray Tee - Kohl's - $14.99

Oblong Scarf - Kohl's - $7.99

Gray/brown dress pants - Macy's - $69.99

Printed Pussy Bow Blouse - Lord and Taylor - $40.27 (clearance)

Family Weekend Getaway

The day after Thanksgiving we drove to Shipshewana, Indiana to meet my husband's family. All of us were able to be there and it was a lovely time of too much good food, a little bit of shopping and tons of visiting. Our daughters were both there; our eldest with her hubby and our youngest with her son. Both of my husband's parents were there in addition to his sister and her spouse along with their two boys and their families. The cousins all have so much fun together and the children of those cousins are now continuing the tradition of celebrating the holidays. There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm of a six, five and three year old!

Since Rebecca was there I had her snap a few pics one of the days so I could use them for this post. 

Many bloggers talk about a capsule wardrobe, especially when traveling. While I think it is an awesome idea, I have the same problem with clothes that I do with food. I love food! I love variety! I love different tastes and textures. When we are talking Christmas cookies, I can't just make one or two kinds and save myself the work. I have to make four or five kinds. Sugar cookies are a must, though I am not sure why only cut outs are called sugar cookies (and a few others), but don't all cookies have some amount of sugar in them? But, I digress! I can't just have a Christmas tree shaped cookie. I have to have stars and snowmen, Santas and bells. And, they can't be plain, they have to have various colored frostings and sprinkles! Maybe that is why my Grandson loves to make cookies with me!

The same is true for my clothes. I love clothes. I love the colors and the textures. I love jackets and sweaters, pants and skirts....and my husband just interjected, "And you love to wear all of it at the same time!" Ha, ha. Anyway, when I travel, I still like to have variety, but I have been experimenting with choosing a color theme when I pack. For this weekend away, I chose the colors, cream, gray and brown.

This outfit was one of the choices that I packed. Keeping in the same color theme for the weekend I only needed one pair of shoes, plus the pair I wore on the drive. I wish I would have gotten pictures of all three outfits I included in the weekend, but that didn't happen. Too much partying and little picture taking.

This thrifted gray fly away cardi is the perfect addition to many ensembles. It is light weight, so I will be able to use this through many seasons. While I didn't get a picture of it, the cardi has a band in the back which gathers the material and gives it a fitted look. I love the drape of this piece. I wore the cardi over a multi- print popover top which had an elastic band on the bottom giving the top room and comfort. I wore my off white corduroys which, I felt added a casual vibe to this holiday outfit. 

Here's a closer look at the top. I also wore a gold pendant necklace.

For shoes I wore my gray suede ankle booties. I wish I would have pulled my pant leg up higher. The boots have a cute chain on the outside of each ankle. I love the low wedge heel on these. They are the perfect boot for shopping and can be worn with a dress or skirt as well. 

Just for fun, I asked my stylin' sister-in-law Sue to take a few pics with me. 

We were having too much fun!

I thought Sue came up with a great outfit for our holiday get together. Her tunic sweater set shimmered with gold threads and the mix of skinny jeans and cowboy type boots kept the outfit casual, but festive.

I love how Sue kept her accessories minimal. The simple bead dangles on the necklace pull together the creams, browns and golds in her outfit. Isn't she beautiful? She's also has a beautiful heart! I am very blessed to have her for a sister-in-law.

I hope you enjoyed this peek into my world. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. I appreciate all your support and input. Don't forget to check out my Instagram page and Pinterest as well. 

Have a great Tuesday.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Thursday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Nicole of High Latitude Style, JoLynne Shane in the Fashion Friday Link Up, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polkadots.

Color Crash Course - Red and Burgundy - A Thanksgiving Outfit

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. This morning as I type this post, I am thankful for a dry home and a furnace to heat it. I am also thankful for family and their safety as they travel. I am thankful for my physical health and my relationship with the God of the universe. What are you thankful for today?

Another thing that I am thankful for is the community of bloggers out there that have taught me so many things about faith and fashion. One thing that I particularly admire is the attitude of throwing the fashion "rules" out the window and dressing how we want to dress. That doesn't mean I dress like a slob or that I dress in barely nothing at all. For me throwing out the rules allows me to experiment with colors, textures and styles of clothing that I formerly might have scoffed at. The very reason I decided to start this Color Crash Course column was to challenge myself to think outside the box when it comes to color combining. 

In the first attempt at color combining I paired orange and red (here). Next I combined the colors of Halloween, orange, black, green and purple (here). Today I am trying my hand at burgundy and red. My first thought was, "There is no way I can make this work, without looking like some sort of clown!" But that caused me to be all the more motivated.

I chose a red turtleneck sweater, burgundy dress pants and my burgundy suede booties, which I just styled on Tuesday's post here. Sorry about my muffin top! Ha, ha. And I haven't even eaten Thanksgiving dinner yet!

Then I threw on a thrift store find, a open front chiffon and knit cardi with a water color type pattern. What drew me to this piece were the variety of colors combined on its surface. Here is a closer look at the actual pattern from the back.

Just to make things even more interesting I added a gold necklace that has some burnt orange in it.

I feel that the open cardi adds dimension and texture to the outfit as well as pulling the whole look together. 

Add a simple gold clutch and gold bracelet and the outfit is complete! I found this gold woven bag at H&M when I was Christmas shopping for other family. At less that five dollars, I thought this little gem filled my need for a gold bag.

So how are you celebrating Thanksgiving today? My husband is out hunting this morning and we will be having a small turkey later for the two of us and one of his students from the university who couldn't make it home to be with family. Our girls have their own celebrations with their significant others and families. However, we will all be together over the weekend. I'm looking forward to that.

I pray God blesses each of you who are following my blog with a happy and fun filled day! Don't eat too much!

Flying Solo

Well, it was inevitable that at some point this newby to the blogging world would have to start taking pictures on her own. My hubby got me a new camera for our anniversary, but I have not had much time to acquaint myself with it, at least not until today. Seeing as how my daughter and I have had not time to schedule another photo shoot, I had to take it upon myself to try to, not only put an outfit together, but take pictures of it, edit them and put them on this post. Since Rebecca taught me how to download pictures I have no problem with putting a post together, but I have never had to actually take pictures of my own outfit. So today (and one other day last week) I have taught myself how to set up the tripod, turn the flash on and off and use a remote. Wow! Look at me! I am exhausted. Ha, ha. 

So here goes.

I guess you could call this a military jacket. It is an olive drab color and has metal buttons up both sides which can be buttoned open as I have it or buttoned closed, which I might have to lose a few pounds to do. 

I styled the jacket with a wine colored long sleeve tee and white pants with a light gray snakeskin pattern. The tee is quite long so I did the magic front tuck to give my waist definition. I thought about putting on a belt, but decided against it.

I added a square scarf which I folded into a triangle and put it around my neck so the point of the triangle is in the front then wrap the ends all the way back around to tie in front. Because the scarf is then worn shorter I could also add a bit of bling by wearing a longer necklace.

You can see by this photo the jacket does nip in at the waist due to the multiple panels and seams in the back. Great pic of my butt, huh!

Finally the shoes! I found these at a thrift store and absolutely love them. They are a wine/burgundy suede and have the perfect size heel with a bit of a platform on the ball of the foot. It makes walking in them so much easier. They are a low cut bootie and have zippers for easy on and off. 

So there you have it! What did you think of my first solo flight? I would love to hear your thoughts. Rest assured I do have another photo shoot scheduled with my daughter, but you'll have to put up with my unprofessional pictures for a couple of weeks. Ha, ha. I hope to get outside for a stab at natural lighting, which I generally prefer. It is much harder to take pics in natural light when it is dark! That gives you an idea of what sort of Monday I had today. But that is a story for another time.

If you get a chance on Thursday in between the turkey and the pumpkin pie, come back and see what I do for my Color Crash Course column. 

Have a blessed Thanksgiving. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. and Michelle of Michelle's Pa(i)ge. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter,  Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Styling a Scarf with a Bag

There are so many fun bloggers to follow, that I actually have a hard time, deciding who I should feature next on my Beautiful Blogger Bests column, but this week I was pressed for time and needed a fairly simple look that didn't require a ton of prep or thought. Enter in the English beauty Gemma of Jacquard Flower. 

Gemma is a part time professional and a full time mom to twins. Her style language is fairly simple, a few good quality items mixed with clothing pieces that can be used every day. I always look forward to Gemma's posts. In this particular post Outfit Ideas with Scarves and Bags, Gemma takes two simple pieces and creates a fabulous casual outfit with eye popping color. Be sure to click on the link to see her original post. I especially like her orange shopper bag and blanket scarf. The scarves and bags Gemma used in her post were all from Laura Ashley.

While Gemma wore jeans and a black sweater, with tan knee high boots, I wore jeans and a gray sweater with black boots. 

Look 1 - Red and Gray Scarf with Red Bag

We were at my daughter's (photographer) house meeting our new grand "dog". She's a big puppy with some mastiff and a few other things in her lineage. I should have had my daughter include a photo! Anyway, my girl and my son-in-law have this wonderfully large and comfy chair. It just felt like the perfect pose!

Look 2 - Blue and Gray Scarf with Blue Bag

This one doesn't have the pop of color like the red does, but I like the textures involved in the outfit as a whole.

Here are the two looks side by side.

You might be asking yourself, why follow all of these different fashion bloggers? My answer is to be inspired. I have learned so much from all of these lovely ladies and their creativity inspires me daily to look in my closet and ask myself, "How can I look my best today?"

I hope you will check out Gemma's site and give her some love. As bloggers we benefit from your comments and your views! We all thank you. 

Have a great weekend!

Pantone Fall 2016 - Recap

This week I wanted to show all of the outfits I styled based on the Pantone Fall 2016 color line up. To see my original posts click on the color.

Week 1 - Bodacious

Week 2 - Airy Blue

Week 3 - Potter's Clay

Week 4 - Riverside Blue

Week 5 - Sharkskin

Week 6 - Warm Taupe 

Week 7 - Spicy Mustard

Week 8 - Aurora Red

Week 9 - Dusty Cedar

Week 10 - Lush Meadow

Which one is your favorite? Which color(s) would you wear? Let me know in the comments section below or on my Facebook page.

I hope you enjoyed this series. I will be exploring the Pantone Spring 2017 colors next Spring, even though they are already on their website. Let me get through Christmas first before I start thinking about outfits for next spring! Ha, ha.

In the mean time, keep checking back. I hope to begin a series in a few weeks on my own color choices for winter, called Winter Wonderland. Keep an eye out for that. Check back on Thursday to see which Beautiful Blogger I drew inspiration from this week. 

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Tania of 50 is Not Old, and Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Awesome Accessories - The Pashmina Scarf

Since the weather here in the Midwest is beginning to cool down considerably, I thought I would take another look at scarves, but focus on a heavier, longer variety of scarf that we refer to as the pashmina. The original pashmina was type of cashmere wool woven into a garment meant to be worn as a shawl. Today we have a variety of pashmina colors and prints as varied as the flowers and plants in creation. Many of the scarves or shawls that we now term pashmina, are made from a variety of fabrics and realize different weights and textures, thus, not true pashminas. However, there are many stores that sell real wool/silk blend pashminas for very reasonable prices. 

Today's post will look at a variety of ways to wear these longer, rectangular shaped scarves.

This scarf, while having the shape of a pashmina is not made from the soft, silky cashmere wool. It doesn't feel scratchy so I do not think it has any wool in it. It is probably a blend of man made materials. A thrift store find, I thought I could use it like a blanket scarf, but then as I did more research realized a true blanket scarf is square not rectangular. I am learning new things all the time!

1. The shawl - 

2. The simple flip over one shoulder - 

3. Flip ends to the back then pull ends to the front - here the ends are the focal point of what hangs in the front - 

4. Flip ends to back, but leave front loose. Pull front down into more of a long bib, then bring just the fringy ends to the front - the messy look.

5. Triangular bib - similar to above, but make the bib more triangular and tucks the ends under the bib. 

6. Left long and belted - 

Here is a look at all of them:

I hope this post inspires you to dig that pashmina out of your closet and start wearing it. I have quite a few in different colors. It is the perfect toasty addition to any outfit or just wear one with your coat to keep your neck warm. The pashmina is not only stylin' it's practical.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

If your are looking for a true pashmina check out The Pashmina Store.

This store is only a recommendation that I found while perusing on line. I have never bought anything from them, but might some time in the future! 

Pantone Fall 2016 - Lush Meadow

The final installment in the Pantone Fall 2016 series is a vibrant, rich color called Lush Meadow. I am not sure I would have given this color that name, because to me it seems to express more of an emerald tone, than a field of green. Unless you are in the jungle, meadows are typically more of a grassy green and perhaps filled with flowers. Something like this:

Pixabay

However, I was not on the committee to name these colors and I am sure they had a reason they named this green what they did. Now that my little tangent is over. Here is my outfit.

I have had this maxi skirt for a long time and just could never find the combination of top and accessories that made me say "Yes! This is it!" When I paired this top with the skirt and then added the belt, I thought I had hit the mark. 

Even though the top is a single color, there is a definite print to it. I am not sure what the process was, but it looks like lace and crochet mixed. I didn't realize it at the time, but seeing these pictures now, I see that the shape of the print on my top, matches the shape of the print on my skirt. How's that for some fancy mixing? Ha, ha.

For my accessories I wore a bead, ribbon and chain necklace which had beads that whisper Lush Meadow and ribbons in the line of Spicy Mustard. I also added a Spicy Mustard bracelet. (To see how I styled Spicy Mustard as an outfit click here.) My bag was a simple charcoal gray clutch that matched one of the colors in the skirt. The skirt also has white and a bit of tan, thus the inclusion of the brown belt and brown ankle boots.

In this shot of the boots, you can also see a bit of the lining of the skirt. (You can also see the mud on the heel of my boot - ha, ha - squishy ground!) It is fully lined from top to bottom, so it provides an extra layer of warmth and no need for a slip. This is a great transitional skirt for fall, but I think I will be wearing this again in the winter with a chunky sweater, knee boots and tights for added warmth.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on the Pantone 2016 Fall colors. Next week I will be doing a recap of all the outfits, so I hope you'll check in again next Tuesday. 

Thursday I will be looking at the Pashmina scarf as another awesome cold weather accessory. Be sure to check back. Until then take care and keep stylin'!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

Shopping for Lush Meadow:

Tops -

Nordstrom - $70.00

Kohl's - $28.80

Roaman's - $49.99 - 54. 99 (Plus Size)

Bag's - 

Kohl's - $69.30

Kohl's - $55.30

DSW -  $49.95

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter, and Tania of  50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of a Pocketful of Polkadots,  JoLynne Shane on Fashion Friday and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.

Piece Perfect - The Navy Blazer

Today's Perfect Piece is going to be spread out over two months, because I found so many ways to style this fitted navy blazer by Ralph Lauren. Today's post will feature wearing the blazer with a dress and a skirt. Next month I will look at styling it with casual and dressy pants. 

Navy is one of those colors that can be worn with just about any other color. If you look up navy blue on the internet it shows a range of blue from what I would term royal blue to what I would call true navy. For the sake of ease I am referring to this blazer as navy, even thought it is a bit lighter than true navy.

The term blazer refers to a jacket that resembles a suit coat, but more casual. For more info on the origin of blazers see the Wikipedia article here. 

The three above pictures give you an overview of the fit of the blazer. Blazers can be fitted, flowy or boxy. I like a fitted blazer best because it cinches in at the waist giving me that girlish figure. Ha, ha. This blazer has a breast pocket on one side with the Ralph Lauren initials, two front flap pockets and two buttons. You can also see the split in the lower back allowing movement and flexibility. 

This blazer is also fully lined which means the lining not only covers the entire body, but the sleeves as well. The silky lining not only adds a layer of warmth, but makes it easier to slip into and out of, especially if you have long sleeve layers underneath. 

Here is the first outfit with the blazer. I just threw it on over a striped tee shirt dress, then paired it with my navy Keds. Not to get to matchy, I carried my Lush Meadow tote bag. I accessorized with blue beads and a blue bangle. 

Note the line where the sleeve hits my hand. It is just longer than my wrist, which is where I like most of my jackets to hit. This allows you to show just a little bit of sleeve if you have a top that you want to stick out or if you want your bracelets to show. Some people wear their sleeves longer and some shorter. I'm sure there is a standard, but in the fashion world it's more about personal preference. I also like that the initials are not overwhelming. If you look up Ralph Lauren jackets you will see that many of them have his crest on the pocket in gold. I got this at a thrift store and I am not a huge brand buyer, especially if it is advertised on the pocket, but I like the fit and look so well, that it didn't bother me that the RL was on the pocket.

Here is the blazer paired with a skirt and sweater. The skirt has a navy, red and cream pattern, so I chose a creamy sweater with Joy printed on it. I kept my accessories in the gold/pewter line to go with the lettering on the sweater.

This will be a fun sweater to use again at the holidays. 

Here are the two looks side by side:

So what do you think of this blazer? Do you wear a blazer? How do you style it? I'd love to have your input. Just leave a comment in the comments section below.

Next month in this Piece Perfect column, I'll show you the outfits I put together pairing the blazer with a pair of dress pants and a pair of snakeskin jeans. 

Thanks so much for your support. Be sure to like and share on my Facebook page. You can also see what I've been pinning on Pinterest, and peek at some of my other outfits on Instagram. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Photo credit, Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Blazers:

Ralph Lauren version - Black - Dillards - $198.00

Other brands:

JC Penney - $34.99

Target - $29.99

There are a number of navy blazers available including Ralph Lauren on Poshmark, ModCloth and eBay.

Pantone Fall 2016 - Dusty Cedar

I am nearing the end of the Pantone Fall 2016 color line up. Today we are looking at a lovely fall color called Dusty Cedar. When I looked through my closet, I realized I had this cute faux velvet jacket and it manifests Dusty Cedar perfectly.

I decided to try wearing this jacket with a pair of white jeans. I think the colors are great, but I am not really excited about the bright white on my bottom half. I think maybe a pair of skinny jeans would have been a better choice or maybe not white at all. What do you think?

I wore a sleeveless print top under the jacket and added silver accessories. The necklace has a few pink beads on it as well which ties in the dusty pink of the jacket and the pink of the top.

I also carried a silvery bag and wore my pewter heels.

Here is another view with the jacket buttoned. 

What do you think of the Dusty Cedar color? Do you like velvet? While this jacket is not true velvet is has that look. What do you own that is velvet? I'd love to have your feedback. 

I hope you enjoyed today's post. Check back on Thursday as we look at another perfect piece to have in our wardrobe. 

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Shopping for Dusty Cedar:

3/4 Length sleeve tee - Macy's - $39.50

Chiffon top - Redbubble - $36.00

Bag - Society6 - $18.70

Monday linking up with Tif of Bright on a Budget, and Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fash Packing, and Tania of 50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. and Ada of Elegance and Mommyhood. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, JoLynne on the Fashion Friday Link Up, and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge.

Color Crash Course - Spooky Color Combo (without being scary)

One of the ways I wanted to challenge myself in this Color Crash Course column, was to come up with color combinations that we usually associate with something else. For instance red and yellow make me think of McDonalds; red and green Christmas; green and yellow the Green Bay Packers (my husband's team) and so on. With Halloween only a few days away, I had to look at colors traditionally associated with this holiday. 

It used to be Halloween colors were restricted to orange and black, but in the more recent decades green and purple have been added to that mix. Images of pumpkins, witches, the Frankenstein monster and ghosts flying through a purply black night sky all come to mind. I decided to take those four colors and combine them into an outfit. 

Black jeans make the color subtle, rather than a stark black pant or skirt. Plus the jeans add texture to the outfit. Remember we have been exploring the idea of texture for making an outfit more interesting. 

This orange sweater was from Christopher and Banks last year. I like that it is light weight so perfect for layering and it has.....texture. The little raised bumps give it a polka dot effect. 

You can see the button up I wore under my sweater is black and has little owls on it. What better for Halloween. With the black background the little tan owls really show up as well as the little bits of purple and green in the pattern. I decided to add the lighter purple necklace so as to not overwhelm with a too Halloween-ish outfit. 

I left the shirt tail out to add some color and dimension between the sweater and the black jeans. 

For my bag I decided on a Lush Meadow clutch (more on that color in a few weeks). My shoes are an older pair I just love. A dark purple velvet kitten heel with sequins. They sound quirky, but I really like the way they fit my foot and the dark purple and sequins remind me of that Halloween sky. 

And, of course, I had to throw in a silly one. For another lovely look at black and orange check out Laurie at Vanity and Me. She shows an orange sweater styled two ways.

What do you think of wearing these colors together? What do you think of this outfit? I'd love to have your input. Just leave a comment below. 

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Thanks for hanging out with me on the blog!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Fall 2016 - Aurora Red

We only have three weeks left of our Pantone 2016 Fall color series. Today's feature is Aurora Red. By the time we took this picture on the evening we were scrambling to fit some photo's in we were both exhausted. The evening was hot and humid for September and I was literally wilting. My daughter had just worked a full day, then came over to squeeze in a few photos before the light was completely gone. 

So yes, our photos were getting a little silly. I styled the Aurora Red 3/4 length sleeve tee with a pair of Palazzo pants. I styled these before here. For this look I added the vest to give the outfit an extra layer of warmth. Granted on the day we took the pics I didn't need it, but with the cooler weather we are now having this vest is perfect. In keeping with the edgy vibe the vest adds I opted for chain link and coin belt and necklace.

I wore simple black heels, which are hardly visible due to the grass and the length of the pants. The taupe bag I am carrying is a thrift store find. 

I have given these pants a second go round and have decided I am getting rid of them. They are very comfy, but in all honesty are not flattering on me at all. I think it might be the way the pattern encircles the leg. It makes me look stumpy. Ha, ha. I only share that, not to get down on myself or because I have body image problems, but to show that some pieces can flatter and others can detract. 

However, I do like the look of the red tee under the vest and the fun chain link and coin belt and jewelry, perhaps with a skinny pair of jeans, a pencil skirt or a maxi. Aurora Red is a beautiful rich color to add to your wardrobe. If red is not your color, try adding it to your outfit as an accessory. In the shopping links below I listed a pair of ankle boots, and a red bag. You could also add a scarf or a necklace to bring that red pop to any outfit.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know your thoughts good or bad in the comments section below. I appreciate input of all types, because it helps shape me as a blogger and a fashionista. Check back on Thursday for my Color Crash Course. This week I'll be styling a spooky color combo, just in time for Halloween. Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping for Aurora Red:

Red ankle boots - JC Penney - $44.99

Red skirt - Loft - $59.50

Cross body bag - JC Penney - $24.00

Red tunic - J.Jill - $44.99

Beautiful Blogger Bests - Monochrome with Print and Texture

This week on my Beautiful Blogger Best column, I am featuring the lovely Liz of With Wonder and Whimsy. Liz is a firey red head who is not afraid to wear any color and has a knack for styling outfits that are feminine, flirty and fabulous. 

Today I am referencing Liz's post Outfit Formula: Monochrome, Texture, and Print. To check out her original post just click on the link. The neat thing is, Liz was taking something she learned from another blogger Janeane of Designing from My Closet. I featured Janeane in my original Beautiful Blogger Bests column on styling an outfit around a bag. See that post here. 

In her post Liz styles an outfit using the colors black and white. If you follow Liz you know this is not her norm. She loves pastels and lace, colors and frills, but she wanted to challenge herself to step outside her norm. The challenge for me was to put an outfit together that had two basic colors, a print and some texture. This is what I came up with.

This photo was taken on one of the last really hot afternoons we had before it started to cool down and become more fall like. Thus, I look a tad wilty. The skirt is thrifted and the top is actually a tunic that I recently acquired from Charming Charlie's end of the season sale. I put the tunic on and then layered the skirt over top.

The eyelet jacket and the bag with it's gold rivets and extra buckles add great elements of texture to this otherwise monochrome outfit. I did cheat by adding the red beads, but I love the contrast of the red against the white and blue. The large beads also add additional texture to the look.

These are my navy loafer heels. Funny thing, I really didn't know what this type of shoe was called. That just shows I am still a newbie to the fashion world, so I thought, "Well they look a bit like a loafer, but with a heel." I typed in loafer heels and up they popped. Isn't the internet amazing? Ha, ha. This is a great shoe to wear with a skirt for a more casual look or with pants for a more dressed up look. Funny how that works!

Are you seeing spots? I'm thinking this would have looked better with a belt of some sort. What do you think?

So there you have it. I am so thankful to all the beautiful bloggers that I follow. Liz has been a great inspiration to me, not only with her knowledge of fashion, but with her kind and attentive comments on my fashion posts. Be sure to click on her link and give her some love. 

Check back next week for more fashion fun! Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options (I chose black for the color):

Polka Dot Dress - Kohl's - $69.99

Black Eyelet Jacket - Jacket Society - $155.00

or

Bomber Eyelet Jacket - Macy's - $55.99

Black Loafer Heels - Belk - $89.00

Black Tote - JC Penney - $85.00

Pantone Fall 2016 - Spicy Mustard

Of all the Pantone Fall 2016 color line up, Spicy Mustard is the one that surprised me most. I am not a big fan of yellow. I think yellow is a lovely color, but I don't tend to reach for it and don't have many yellow pieces in my wardrobe. Spicy Mustard, however,  seems to be a versatile yellow, one I keep reaching for. In fact as I write this I am wearing the same tee you see in this post, with a pink fly away cardi and flared jeans. Check out my Instagram post from Monday.

For today's post I decided to style the Spicy Mustard, 3/4 length sleeved tee with a snakeskin print skirt that I have had for a long time. The skirt itself seems to carry a bit of that same yellow throughout the pattern. 

Since the skirt takes on the role of pattern for the outfit, I decided to downplay my accessories and keep them a relatively neutral color. 

The bag and shoes are a pewter color, while the jewelry brings in the browns and creams in the skirt. 

It is hard to get a good picture of shoes when you are standing in grass and the ground is soft! Ha, ha. 

Here is a close up of the skirt snakeskin pattern. 

Be sure to check out Liz at With Wonder and Whimsy for her take on Spicy Mustard. 

What do you think of Spicy Mustard? Would you wear it? How would you style it in an outfit? Let me know in the comments section below. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Be sure to check back on Thursday and see which Beautiful Blogger inspired my polka dot outfit. Until then, have a great day. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Shopping Options:

Spicy Mustard top - Nordstrom Rack - $34.97

Snakeskin pants (skirts available at Poshmark and other online used retailers) - Macy's - $35.99

Strappy Shoe - DSW - $39.95

Bag - DSW - $49.95

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Wednesday linking up with Allison of Sydney Fashion Hunter and Tania of 50 is Not Old. Thursday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Nicole of Hight Latitude Style. Friday linking up with JoLynne of JoLynne Shane, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, and Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style.

Awesome Accessories - The Infinity Scarf

Whenever I see the word, infinity, all I can hear in my head is Buzz Lightyear saying, "To infinity and beyond!" The word infinity as defined by Webster means to have no limits or end. So how exactly Buzz could go to infinity and beyond is quite beyond me! Ha, ha. I may not understand the physics behind infinity, but I am here today to tell you how to wear an infinity scarf.

Basically an infinity scarf has no end. It is a loop. The following are pictures, albeit goofy ones, of me showing the different ways you can wear this type of scarf. I wore a white top and chose a bright colored scarf so you could get a better idea of what each style looks like. I do want to preface this by saying, I did this outside, on an 80 plus degree evening, without a mirror to look at what I was doing. Ha, ha. As I said, my daughter and I both agreed, next time we will figure out a different way to do this type of thing.

1. The first and probably most common is the simply double loop:

2. Next is the triple loop:

3. Here is the end through the loop. This is accomplished by putting the whole scarf behind your neck, then bringing both ends forward. Now take the one "end" and put it through the "loop" of the other end. Pull it so it is as snug as you want it to be. If you wanted it a little looser you could use a pretty pin or brooch to hold it in place.

4. This one is done by simply tying the scarf rather than looping it.

5. Next is the vest. This one didn't turn out in the picture as I had practiced it in front of a mirror, but you get the idea. It is a simple way to add a pop of color or pattern to an outfit. I'm showing you the front and the back. Sorry for my mug shot!

6. Finally I did a shawl type look, by taking the whole scarf open, putting it over my head, so my shoulders are inside the loop, then gathering the front excess and making a simple knot.

I hope you enjoyed this post on how to wear an infinity scarf. For a whole different take on scarves and other ways to wear them check out Janeane at Designing From My Closet. In Three Unconventional Ways to Style a Large Scarf she shows three great ways for taking those big scarves and adding them to more than just your neck. In an earlier post she shows how to wear a variety of scarves. Check out How to Wear a Scarf. 

What about you? Do you like to wear scarves. I have three drawers full of scarves and I love to wear them. I am even excited about finding more different ways to add them to my waist, bag or wrists. I hope you found today's post helpful. Let me know what you think.

Have a great rest of the week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.