Spring Transition - Bomber Jacket Outfit

Last week, I started a series on transitional outfits that take us from winter to spring to summer. Last week's post featured a red jacket worn with a graphic tee, bootcut jeans and peep toe sandals. You can see that post here.

What exactly makes an outfit transitional? An outfit becomes transitional when it crosses over one season to the next or when it takes you from a daytime work wear look, to a night time date look. Usually, an outfit that transitions will incorporate different layers and things that can be taken off or swapped out easily for a different look. 

For today's look I chose another outfit from a Chico's catalogue that inspired me. This look centers around a summery dress, worn like a tunic over leggings, topped by a bomber jacket. 

I've styled this Simply Vera dress before on the blog, when we went to Florida, last December. You can see that post here. I found this cute piece on the clearance rack at Kohl's a few season's back. Here, and here are few cute styles for this season. 

This black bomber I picked up somewhere and I don't remember where! Ha, ha. It is an off brand, but I'll provide a few shopping links for jackets, bags and shoes at the end. 

These black leggings became mine, when I shopped a friend's closet. They are super comfy and thick, but not too thick. I am more inclined to wear leggings at this transitional time, as they are warm, but not overly warm. 

I chose my purply blue agate pendant necklace. I received this as a gift and it is one of my favorite pendant necklaces to wear because of its unique color and shape. Here are some very pretty options from an Etsy seller. i might need to buy myself another one, or two!

For my bag I chose this beauty that I've featured before on the blog. I really love the color and the texture of this pretty clutch, that my younger daughter gave me. It also has a strap so I can wear it as a cross body bag. It goes perfectly with the bluish green in the dress. 

I'm loving these peep toe shoeties from Clarks. They are not only cute, but comfy and the zipper up the back makes them pretty easy to get on and off. 

Here's a look at the outfit without the jacket. If it gets too warm, just take the jacket off and you have a light weight sleeveless dress. If it got real warm, you could take the leggings off as well. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you have any light weight summer dresses that you are dying to wear, but don't feel that it is quite warm enough yet. This is the perfect way to extend the wearability of those pretty summer styles and still be warm and comfy. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Leave me some love and don't forget to check out my Instagram and Pinterest pages. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Tuesday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of Mummabstylish.  Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Old Becomes New - Multi-print Tunic

For those of you who are just joining me on the blog, this Thursday column is focused on pieces that have been hanging around my closet that I rarely reach for. In March and April I devoted two posts to a suit wear jacket that I had thrifted from a few years ago. You can see those posts here and here. My final decision on the jacket was to get rid of it. I feel as though I gave it my best shot to style it various ways, seeing whether it gave me that "this is it" feeling. It never did, and after reading so many of your helpful comments, I decided to let it go. Cue Elsa! (That is Elsa from the movie Frozen, for those of you who still might be living in a cave, like me!)

This post I am devoting to an east 5th tunic that I got at JC Penney a few years ago. I love the colors, but for some reason, just wasn't sure how to style it. 

When I pulled it out, I almost immediately thought of my Apt. 9 faux lace black ankle pants. The reason I decided on these had to do with the weight of the fabric and that there were no pockets or buttons that might stick out. They are light weight, so perfect for a transitional spring outfit. 

The black knit knee length vest is a brand called harve benard which I got on clearance at Kohl's. I feel like this vest is fairly versatile, because it is an open weave and not too heavy, so can be used in most seasons.

Here you can see the bold, fun print. I wore a fringe bead necklace that blended in. I think next time I will go for something green. Speaking of the green, that was exactly why I chose my green axcess bag.

For shoes, I chose my comfort plus heels. 

What do you think of this tunic? Would you keep this, if it was in your closet? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. 

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring Transition - Red Jacket Outfit

Now that it is officially spring on the calendar and has been for over a month, and now that the temperatures are starting to feel like spring, I thought I would do a series of outfits that revolve around transitioning from winter to spring to summer. 

Here in Ohio, our temperatures can vary on any given day during the spring as much as 30 degrees. It can be 32 degrees when we head to work in the early morning and be 65 when we leave work in the afternoon. Spring dressing can often be a conundrum that is not easy to maneuver. That is why I love my layers. 

I cannot emphasize enough that layering can be, not only a way to keep warm when the temps are cool, but a way to add interest and pizzazz to any outfit. This first outfit in this series was inspired by a previous Chico's catalogue. 

The Chico's outfit included a red jacket, a graphic tee, jeans, and a chain belt. For my outfit I started with my Christopher and Banks quilted jacket. This is a perfect spring piece. It is not heavy, but has a certain amount of insulating value, so if it is cooler, it will still keep the wind out and the heat in. The jacket is fitted through the middle and has snaps for ease of closing and opening. Here is a red faux leather moto jacket from Off 5th, a cute zip up from H & M and a very similar one to mine from Kohl's.

My graphic tee, I picked up at Kohl's a few years ago. The symbols reminded me of our trip to England back in 2012. It was a wonderful trip and one to be long remembered. This one is Thakoon brand. Thakoon Pnichgul is originally from Thailand. You can read the Wikipedia article by clicking on his name. 

You can also see my chain link belt in the above picture. This one I found thrifting and has fake money hanging on it. Is this what they mean when they say "money belt"? Ha, ha. 

i got this cute choker at Nordstrom Rack a couple years ago. You can see a few other cute options here, here and here. 

I've styled these Rock & Republic boot cut jeans on the blog before. You can see that post here. These are figure and leg flattering, have some stretch and the dark wash is perfect for making an outfit have a little bit more of a dressed up feel. Here is a pair from Kohl's and they are currently on sale. 

This George satchel from Walmart keeps popping up here and there. Satchels are a great way to add structure to an outfit without actually having to wear something that is uncomfortably fitted. This bag is still available at Walmart.com and is only $19.00. While they don't have my neutral pattern they do have a floral one, that is perfect for spring and summer. Check that out here. There are lot's of pretty options from other brands, such as this Nanette Lepore version from Lord & Taylor, and this pretty pink and black floral from DSW. 

Let's not forget shoes. Once again I am styling these perforated peep toe sandals. You'll see these pop up on the blog through out the summer. One of the reasons I like these has to do with my varicose veins. We are often told to embrace our flaws, and show them off, rather than cover them up, but I am more about doing what makes me, and you, feel most confident. I do not like showing off my purply blue bulgy veins. I have chosen to wear support hose when I wear a skirt or a dress and wear shoes that cover more of my foot. Believe me, I love the look of a sexy, beautiful leg, but that is not what I have. However, I do have strong legs that still take me on walks and hikes and still are fairly healthy, even with the vein issues. 

These sandals still allow me to show off a pretty painted toe, but keep the more unsightly veins covered up. Plus they are pretty dang comfortable! I did have my toes painted, but they are such a light pinkish orange you can't tell from these pictures. Time to get out the dark pink polish!

These types of sandals are fairly popular and not too pricey. Here is a cute neutral wedge from Kohl's, a similar color to mine from Nordstrom, and a pretty dark blue pair from DSW. 

Here is a look at the tee without the jacket. 

I hope you enjoyed this outfit post. How do you make the transition from winter to spring and spring to summer? Do you like to wear layers? I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you ever want to show off your outfits, I'd love for you to post a pic on my Facebook page of an outfit I've shared that inspired you. The more the merrier. 

Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Pinterest.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through one of my links, I get a small commission. 

I've included a few links for fun graphic tees as well. Enjoy! 

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. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of mummabstylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Outside the Box - All Over Pattern Mix

Since becoming a blogger I have learned about pattern mixing. I have done a little bit of it here and there, but usually with smaller pieces. I did a post about pattern mixing in March of last year. You can see that post here. Many of those outfits were examples of an all over pattern mix. While I have done it in the past, I thought it would be fun to revisit the all over pattern mix for a fun spring work outfit. 

I came up with the idea for this post when I did my Spring Trends post back in February. You can see that post here. When I lined up the skirt and top to show the plaid/check trend for spring I thought the combination would be perfect for a spring outfit. 

Everything in this outfit is thrifted except the shoes and bag. The skirt is a brand called Michelle. The black and white plaid is broken up in the lower left corner by two pretty embroidered flowers. 

This cute little clutch is actually a pencil pouch that I found at Barnes & Noble. It makes a great clutch and is perfect for spring. You can see how I styled an outfit around this bag in this post here. Since I was going for an all over pattern mix, I thought this bag was perfect for this outfit. 

My jacket is a brand called Madison and Max. I found this in a friend's closet. Shopping your friends' closets can be a great way to recycle and save money for all of you. 

The blouse is Jaclyn Smith brand and is a light green gingham. You can see the mixing better here.

You might feel this mix is over the top, but I really think the jacket pulls it all together and because it is a solid, keeps the mix from becoming too overwhelming. 

I decided on my black Cabela's flats. These are a great shoe for work, when I have to be on my feet. 

How are you at print mixing? Do you think this works or is it too much? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 

I've included a few shopping links for some fun printed pieces for spring. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on a shopping link I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Have fun with your print mixing!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Jacqui at Mummabstylish. Friday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, and Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane.

Pantone Spring 2018 - Recap

Now that my series is over, I thought I would show you all of the outfits together for a fun review. Just a refresher, the Pantone Color Institute puts out a palette of colors twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. These colors are the basis from which designers, both fashion and interior, draw their inspiration for fabrics, clothing, paint and furnishings. I always consider it a challenge to draw outfit inspiration from these colors, even the ones I may personally not like. Let's face it, not all colors are necessarily pretty in everyone's eyes. However, I think it can be good for our brains to think outside the box and try new things. 

These were the two palettes. Many of the colors overlapped and I made reference to that in the posts. I personally think these two palettes were perfect for spring. Most of the colors were bright or light, with a few more earthy tones, which combined rendered great spring outfits. 

Here were my outfits. If you click on the picture it will take you to the original post.

I was glad that Pantone added the four classic colors of Sailor Blue, Harbor Mist, Warm Sand and Coconut Milk. These colors are perfect for grounding an outfit and keeping it from getting too over the top with color. Is there such a thing? Ha, ha. 

I think out of all of the colors from both palettes my favorites are Ultra Violet, (no surprise there, since I love purple), Arcadia, Pink Lavender and Ash Rose. All but Arcadia fall into the purple range. What can I say, I love purple! If I ever had a sports car it would be dark sparkly purple. Ha, ha. 

I hope you enjoyed this series. Let me know in the comments what your favorite colors were from this spring's two palettes. I always love to hear what you are thinking. 

Join me on Thursday for my Outside the Box column. You never know what I'll be showing off there. If you follow my Faith page, check back tomorrow for more on my Mulling It Over series as we delve further into 2 Timothy 2. 

Have a great Tuesday!

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 and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Ordinary Amy - Casual take on Eva Trends Kimono

Last Thursday I introduced you to this gray lace body kimono from Eva Trends. I showed you two ways to wear the kimono, with a dress and with a long maxi skirt. You can see that post here. This week I wanted to show you two more ways to wear this fun piece by styling it over a pair of skinny jeans. 

I opted to put this on my Ordinary Amy column, because these two outfits are more what I would wear. I just feel more comfortable and confident in a pair of jeans, than I do in a dress. I'm sure that goes back to my tomboy days as a child chasing after my two older brothers. 

Look 1 - Jeans with Heels

This first look is a fun way to get dressed up for a date night.

For both of the looks in this post I used my dark wash Apt.9 skinny ankle jeans. I use these often in the warmer weather rolling up the hems to make them into crop pants. 

This black velvet top was given to me at Christmas. This City Streets brand, has short sleeves and a simple round neckline. Here is a similar one from Last Call by Neiman Marcus. Here is a cute tie-sleeved one from Nordstrom. 

This necklace I ordered from Christopher and Banks. The one problem with it, is that the chord is very stiff so it has a tendency to want to twist around. I make take it off that chord and put it on something different. It is really a unique piece. Here is a pretty fern one from Etsy. 

I grabbed my silver clutch and a silver bracelet. I finished off the look with my Comfort Plus gray heels. 

Look 2 - Jeans with sneakers.

For my second look, I really brought it down to completely casual. Using the same pair of jeans with the lace body kimono, I swapped out the velvet tee for my Wonder Woman tee. 

I did the front tuck with the tee. I think it would be even better with cuter belt. This black leather one is my go too and I wear it with everything, but usually it is functional, and doesn't show. 

I rolled my pant hems and my sleeves up for a more casual vibe. The only complaint I have about this lovely kimono is that the sleeves are narrow. It was hard for me to roll the sleeves up far enough to use the button on each side and my arms are not overly heavy. Someone with a larger diameter arm, would probably not be able to wear this. 

Here are two pictures that show you how the kimono is shaped. The truth is, it was a very cold day and the static was making the kimono stick to my clothes and itself, so I opened it up to let the wind blow away the static. 

I decided on a red clutch with silver handles and a few silver bangles. A couple of these have red on them too. 

You've seen these Keds before. They are like old friends. I told my daughter, don't get too close, because they are dirty. Ha, ha. 

Here are the two outfits side by side. 

The lace body button-up sleeve cardigan is a fun piece to add a different dimension to many of your outfits. You could probably belt is as well, though I didn't think of that for this post. 

What do you think of these outfits? Do you like these or the ones last week with the dress and skirt better? 

Don't forget Eva Trends is offering a 15% discount if you order using the code AC15. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. 

The items from Eva Trends were gifted to me. This post also contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Friday linking up with Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, Nicole of High Latitude Style. 

Pantone Spring 2018 - Ultra Violet, Ash Rose and Sailor Blue

This is the final installment in my Pantone Spring 2018 color series. I love doing this series, because using color as a spring board for putting together an outfit makes getting dressed so much easier. I know not everyone loves color, but I really enjoy the challenge of trying to make each of these colors work for me. After all, if we ladies, who are over 50, are not limited by the styles of the outfits we wear, why should we be limited by the colors we wear? 

This week's color line up features Ultra Violet, which appears on both the New York and London color palettes. You can see my first pairing with Ultra Violet here. Ash Rose is only found on the London Palette and is one of my favorite colors from this spring line up. Sailor Blue is one of the classic colors that appeared on both palettes this season and I feel is a perfect color to ground an outfit to keep it from getting to clownish. I also threw in a touch of Arcadia for an additional pop. You can see how I originally paired Arcadia here. 

If I had a choice, this is how I would dress most of the time. I love my jeans, a fun moto jacket, basic tee with fun details and sneakers. Throw on some easy jewelry and a roomy bag and voila, the writer's outfit. It's comfy, but stylish. I think my daughter did a great job of capturing me in my element. Ha, ha. 

These jeans are my Rock & Republic bootcut pair from Kohl's. Here are a similar pair. 

In this next pic you can see my Arcadia colored beads and bracelet. I love the way the necklace pops against the Ash Rose color of the shirt. Doesn't that green look so pretty with these two very different purples? You can also see the lace detail on my thrifted long sleeve tee. This one is Van Heusen brand It really takes a tee up a notch to have some sort of lace overlay or embellishment. Here is a  Croft and Barrow short sleeve one that comes in many different colors.  

My bag is Simply Vera, by Vera Wang. Here is a really cute one from Kohl's. 

Keds are always my go to for stylish, simple sneakers. I don't wear these when I want to hike or take a long walk, but for just hanging out, going to the mall or shopping, etc. they work great. Here, here and here are three cute pairs that would be perfect for summer. 

These were the last pictures my daughter took that day and we neglected to do a shot of me standing, so this is the best you get. 

What do you think of these colors? What is your go to outfit when you want to be stylish and comfy? I'd love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two in the comments section. Or you can leave me some love on Facebook. Also, feel free to check out my Instagram and Pinterest accounts too. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through one of the links, I get a small commission. Thank you for all of your support. 

If you enjoy reading my Faith page, be sure to check back tomorrow for another Walk with the Psalmist. Check back on Thursday to see how I styled my Eva Trends lace body kimono two more ways in my Ordinary Amy column. 

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 and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of mummabstylish. 

Outfit Inspiration - Eva Trends - Lace Body Kimono

I introduced Eva Trends. back in March with an outfit styled around a tassel knitted sweater top. You can see that post here. My second post revolved around a bright color block cape sweater. You can see that post here. When I was contacted by Eva Trends, I was excited to try a few of their trendy, interesting styles. What I really like about this retailer are the unexpected color combinations and the pretty details. For featuring them on my blog I was gifted three pieces of my choice. All opinions are my own. 

This last piece from Eva Trends is a lovely knee length kimono. The lace body button-up sleeve cardigan is a versatile piece, so I decided to dedicate two posts to it, to show you different ways of styling. In this post I show you how to wear it with a dress and a longer skirt. 

Look 1 - Over a Little Black Dress

You can see from the picture the kimono is very flowy. It is made of a light weight polyester, cotton blend. The trim around the edges is a sheer chiffon type material. When I wash this I will put it in a laundry bag and then hang it to dry. Eva Trends recommends washing most of their pieces by hand to keep them in tip top shape. 

Here is a back view. You can see the pretty lace that covers the whole upper portion front and back. 

The black dress I am wearing underneath I bought about four years ago on the clearance rack at Kohl's. It is a cute little number made of thick knit material and is easy to get on and off. 

For accessories with this outfit, I chose gold. I love this elegant statement necklace. I think I got it at JC Penney. I also added a bracelet and grabbed my gold clutch.

I wore my black heels to finish the ensemble. 

Look 2 - Over a Maxi Skirt

For this second look, I wore my Chaps maxi skirt from Kohl's and a gray tank top.

It wasn't snowing when we took these pictures, but it was really cold out and there was a light breeze. That's fine, when it is 70 or 80, but not when it is only 32!

Since the tank top has an embellished neckline, I only wore a bracelet for my jewelry. 

I chose this little straw bag to keep the look a little more casual, but in a springy sort of way. For shoes I went with another pair of black heels, but this pair has a block heel and a pointier toe. 

Here are the two outfits side by side. 

Do you like this lace body kimono from Eva Trends? How would you style a piece like this? Be sure to check back for the second post on this piece on next week's Ordinary Amy post. 

Eva Trends is offering a 15% discount if you visit their site and use the code AC15. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a wonderful weekend. We are supposed to have a few days of real spring weather, so I am looking forward to that! Have a good one. 

This piece was gifted to me by Eva Trends. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Friday linking up with Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Pantone Spring 2018 - Rapture Rose, Palace Blue and Harbor Mist

Once again, this week, I am featuring two more Pantone Spring 2018 colors from the London palette, along with another of the classic colors, Harbor Mist. Rapture Rose is a bright pinkish red that adds a perfect pop of color to any outfit. Palace blue evokes a feeling of royalty and will add a classic element that says regal, complimenting any style. Grounding the whole look is a soft, light gray reminiscent of mists coming off the ocean. 

My sleeveless top, doesn't quite match the Pantone color, but it is clearly a mix of pink and red, so you get the gist of the idea. My Palace Blue cardigan is from Christopher and Banks. 

Someone was over visiting while we were taking pictures! She's such a ham!

My trousers are Lee brand, and have a classic fit. I use this pair more often in the summer for work, as they are lighter weight. Here is a pair from Kohl's and a pair from Macy's.

You've seen this NY & Co. bag on the blog before. I thought the blush color was a good compliment to the brighter pink and blue, as well as the gray pants. 

For jewelry I went with gold accents on my necklace and bracelets. 

I thought my Comfort Plus heels by Predictions were a good work wear option. 

I think this outfit is a good option for a work day, especially if you work in an office. It shows confidence and style, as well as comfort and ease. The bright blue sweater is a great option for summer, when many places are overly air conditioned. Although, the way our weather is going here in the mid west, it might be August before we have to turn the air on. 

What do you wear to work? Would you be comfortable in an outfit like this? Do you like these colors? I'd love to hear your comments.

Here are a few more pics of my grandpuppy, Beatrice. 

i've included a few shopping links. These are meant to serve as inspiration for you, as well as provide an easy link through which you can shop. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies when you click on a link and a small commission if you purchase something through my site. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style and Jacqui of Mummabstylish. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Old Becomes New (or Not)

Last month, I introduced this column with a look at a suit wear jacket that I had thrifted a few years ago. It is nothing outstanding and I didn't really like how it looked in my original post. You can see that post here. While I was nearly ready to get rid of the piece then, I had a few people, bloggers and other, comment that they would like to see the piece styled with a shift dress, pencil skirt or skinny jeans. I thought, why not! For today's post, I am styling this long blazer two different ways. The first with a shift dress and the second with a pair of skinny jeans. 

Look 1 - Over a shift dress.

I first introduced you to this navy shift dress March of last year in my Piece Perfect column. You can see that post here. A shift dress is a, streamlined dress that can be dressed up or down and accessorized in a variety of ways because of its simplicity. 

I have had it with trying to take pictures in the frozen tundra! Ha, ha. I know, I am a wimp. In my defense it was about 37 degrees. What kept me inside, however, was the wind chill. Hello, spring! I also have to make a comment about my hair. It is not looking its best and that may have to do with not having a trim since before Christmas. It gets pretty frizzy on the ends. I need to schedule an appointment soon! Okay, I am done complaining!

In the first post I did on this long blazer, I mentioned that it is a brand called Braeten. My shift dress is Land's End. This dress is made out of a heavy Ponte knit, which gives it some structure and hides things like panty lines and bulges quite well. Land's End has a similar one here.  

To bring a little spring color to the outfit, I added the green chiffon scarf and my bright green Imoshion satchel. This was thrifted bag, but I learned when I looked it up that this is a vegan bag retailer, that has become quite popular in Hollywood. Here are a few cute options from other vegan retailers here, here and here. 

Here is the dress without the jacket and me with more silly faces. I look like I am falling asleep. Ha, ha. 

I decided on navy hose, and navy heels. I think it gives me a more trim, elongated look. 

Look 2 - Over skinny jeans

This second look features a pair of Apt. 9 skinny jeans. For this look I decided to wear a bright yellow top to create a different look. The top really pops under the more sedate blazer. 

The yellow sweater is an old brand called East 5th. When I pulled the top out, I also thought of my Relic clutch, which led to grabbing a necklace with purple beads and a silver chain. The clutch also made me think of my brown Life Stride ankle boots. See how one piece leads to another and another? I love when that happens!

Here is a picture of the outfit without the jacket. 

Here are the three outfits side by side. 

What do you think? Should I keep this piece or get rid of it? What would you do? I really like the look with the skinny jeans. I think the darker color and the bright sweater make the outfit so much more interesting and appealing. The long blazer by itself is rather bland, but pairing it with other bolder colors can make the piece a perfect jacket for transitioning into spring. 

I would love to hear your thoughts on whether you think I should keep this piece or not. Let me know in the comments sections below. You opinions and comments really help my blog to grow. 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane, and Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots. Linking up with Jodie in the Ageless Style lInkup

Pantone Spring 2018 - Spiced Apple, Warm Sand and Nile Green

We are moving right along in our Pantone Spring 2018 color series. For those of you who may be new to my blog, the Pantone Color Institute are the go-to entity for fashion and design color choices. Twice a year, spring and fall, the Institute puts out a palette of colors, from which many designers find their color inspiration. As a blogger, who loves color, I enjoy building outfits around these colors as well. 

This week, I am featuring two of the colors from the London Palette along with the foundational color of Warm Sand. Say hello to Spiced Apple and Nile Green. 

As I said, last week, the last three posts for this spring series will feature indoor pictures. My daughter and I finally gave up on the snow that was falling fast and wet on the day we took these photos. 

Spiced Apple is a brownish red, bordering on maroon. My skirt might be a tad dark, but you get the idea. This faux leather skirt is a fun, thrifted piece that I have found to be quite versatile. This one is Worthington brand. I topped the skirt with another thrifted piece. This floral, ruffled, bell sleeve blouse is a brand called Sunny Leigh. The blouse contains snippets of Nile Green and I thought it went well with the reddish brown skirt. I added a beaded necklace that also was the Nile Green color. 

I threw the Warm Sand open weave vest over the top as my grounding color. I feel the vest not only adds a layer of warmth for these chilly spring days, but also adds textural interest. 

The bag I am carrying is a bit more yellow than the Nile Green, but it works with the outfit as a whole and without having the color tab right next to the bag, you wouldn't be able to really tell. 

You've seen these cobalt blue heels before on the blog. They go perfectly with the darker shade of blue in the top, so I thought they would be a good pop of color to complete the outfit. 

What do you think of these colors? While I do like both colors, I would not say these are my favorites. Nile Green is a tad light for my taste and the Spiced Apple is a color I would fee better in, come fall. However, it is fun to try out these different colors, because you never know when one of them will strike you in a way that makes you fall in love with it. 

I've included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means if you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of my links, I get a little commission. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Jess of Elegantly Dresses and Stylish. 

Another Outfit Inspired by Eva Trends - Spell Color Cape Sweater

A few weeks ago, I styled an outfit with a piece I had received from Eva Trends. Eva Trends is an online retailer that features trendy pieces that are infused with bold colors, touchable textures and styles that defy what society classifies as the norm. Most of their pieces are made of materials like linen, silk and cotton and have a relaxed, oversized silhouette. 

When Eva Trends contacted me to see if I would want to work with them, I wasn't sure about whether the styles were well suited to the fifty and above crowd. In all reality, we are often consumed with making ourselves appear stylish without added bulk. However, when I received the three pieces they let me pick from their website, I quickly realized that it isn't about the size of the piece you put on, but what you do with it, that makes it work. 

In my first post for Eva Trends I styled a tasseled knit sweater. You can see that post and how I styled it here. Today's post is centered around a piece they call a Spell Color Split Cape Sweater. What drew me to this piece was that is was something outside my norm. See last week's post .  I have never had cape tops or poncho tops before, so when I saw this bright red, brown and tan number, I thought it would be a great way to break out of my box. 

I am going to be showing you a combination of indoor and outdoor pictures, because I added a few more detailed pics inside that I forgot to add outside. 

The cape sweater has 3/4 length sleeves. I wore a red, long sleeved tee underneath, which matched the color on the sweater perfectly. As you can see it is a cape, poncho, sweater and turtleneck all wrapped into a weighty wool and polyester blend. It did not feel itchy at all and I loved the thickness of the fabric. I felt like I was wearing a blanket! 

In this pic, you can see the split sides. The beauty of a style like this is two fold. First, movement. There is no way this piece is going to constrict my movement, unless I clumsily get it stuck in a door, and believe me, I am possible of that feat! Second, layering. You know how I love my layers. This fun piece could be layered over a simple tee as, I did here, or over something much more bulky like a sweater and even over a tunic or dress. 

In this photo you can see how wide this piece is. This is typical for Eva Trends. I think I would like this a tad bit more if it were about six inches longer. The next two photos are from a few different angles. 

As you can see from these photos, I styled this piece with my Rock & Republic skinny jeans and a pair of Clarks low heeled boots. I think this works because, it helps to trim down the bulk. While Eva Trends caters to a more relaxed baggy look, I like to have balance. I feel that if I have bulk on the top, I need to trim down the bottom and vice versa. The same would be true if I wore a bulkier skirt or pants, then I would want to have a more fitted look up top. A heel also helps to elongate the leg, thus making the legs have a sleeker look. 

If you think something like this would be to overwhelming for you, there is also the idea of adding a belt. This piece is a little heavy to belt, but I made it work. 

I changed my boots for this look, just to go a little more casual. 

Here is a closer look at my jewelry. I liked the silver tones against this bright topper. 

I am completely sold on this fun split cape sweater. With spring coming I won't be wearing this much until fall, but I will be looking forward to pulling it out again, when the weather cools.

Eva Trends is extending a a 15% discount if you visit their site and use the code AC15. Give their site a visit. You might just find something you want to try. 

The cape sweater in this post was gifted to me by Eva Trends. All opinions are my own. 

Pantone Spring 2018 - Spring Crocus, Almost Mauve and Little Boy Blue

This is already week four of my Pantone Spring 2018 series. You can check out the previous weeks' posts by clicking on the links: Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3. This week I am featuring the colors: Spring Crocus, Almost Mauve and Little Boy Blue.

Since my daughter and I have to arrange time to get together for photos, we often shoot as many outfits as we can fit in at a time. If you follow me regularly you already know these pictures were all shot on a wintery day. Not very spring like, but then spring is taking its sweet time to make an appearance this year, so I guess this is appropriate. 

I found this Chaps maxi skirt on the clearance rack at Kohl's back in January. When I began looking for pieces for this Pantone series, I thought the flowers on the skirt were a good representation of both Spring Crocus and Almost Mauve. 

My NY & Co tee is also Almost Mauve. I tucked the tee in to give more definition to my waist and topped it with an H & M Harbor Mist cardigan. Pantone has included four classic foundational colors with their palette this year, which serve as a great way to keep an outfit from getting too overwhelmed with color.

I decided to add the Little Boy Blue color as a bright pop against the floral back ground. It makes me think of a sunny blue spring sky. The crossbody bag is Rosetti brand. My SO flats are also blue and probably a tad bit closer to the actual Little Boy Blue color. 

For jewelry I wore a necklace and bracelet with light blue colored beads and silver embellishments. 

Here are a couple of pictures of me being cold! Ha, ha. Don't I make the goofiest faces? I have always thought I could mimic Lucille Ball and some of her funniest looks. Sound like a future blog post.

The things we do for the blog! Ha, ha. This was the last picture we took outside that day, so the next three weeks you'll see indoor pictures. We had had enough. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at three more of the Pantone Spring 2018 colors. Which one do you like the most? I really love Spring Crocus, but Almost Mauve makes a great neutral that can be paired with almost any color. Little Boy Blue will be great color for the transition from spring into summer. 

I've included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents if you click on a link. I really don't make any money on this blog, but your clicks will add up, so that maybe in the future I will. I appreciate all your support. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up by Rachel Christensen. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. 

Outside the Box - A Poncho Top

I started this column to force me to try new things. Most of us love to be comfortable, but it easy to get into a routine with our style. We automatically go for that same sweater, or that same pair of jeans because they fit well and we feel comfy in them. How, then, are we supposed to try new things when we are so consumed with remaining in our same comfortable rut? 

Last month I took a pair of pajama pants and showed you four ways you could style them for wearing outside the bedroom. You can see that post here. Today, I am wearing a piece that I recently found at a thrift store while visiting my mom. A poncho is a large piece of fabric with a hole in the center for the head to go through. I call mine a poncho sweater, because the sides are closed. Most ponchos are open on the sides, making getting into and out of them easier. 

This picture was taken at Mohican State Park. We love to stay in their little cabins! 

I have seen other people wear these types of ponchos and I have also looked at various styles on the racks in the stores, but this was the first one I saw and thought, "Wow! I like that." Since it is not something I have ever had before and I have never styled before, I thought this would be the perfect place to feature it. 

I like the neutral color and the black stripe adds just enough interest so that it is not too plain. In the above picture you can see a little bit how the sleeves hang down to almost the elbow and then the entire piece is sewn along the body on both sides under the arm. 

Since it is lighter weight I decided to wear it over my black and white gingham blouse. I liked how the blouse tied in with the black strip on the poncho. I also worn my dark wash, straight leg jeans. I went for my suede SO ankle boots, as they matched the poncho. My bag is the bright pop of color and is Vera Wang. The final touch is the black and gold fringe necklace on red leather. 

Here is a side view to show you the sleeve length, and the way the side fabric hangs. That was also the view of the river, right out our back door. 

I got this necklace on the clearance rack at Christopher and Banks. I love it! 

My conclusion on this piece is that I really like it. I am sure I will be wearing it again, and it will be a nice piece for transitioning to spring....just in case spring happens to come around again. Ha, ha.

What do you think of the poncho top? Would you wear this? How would you style it? Maybe you already have one. What is your favorite way to wear it?

Below are a few shopping links for ponchos. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. 

Have a great weekend!

Pantone Spring 2018 - Pink Lavender, Blooming Dahlia and Emperador

Welcome to the third installment in my Pantone Spring 2018 series. The first week I showed you Chili Oil, Arcadia and Lime Punch.  Last week I featured Ultra Violet, Cherry Tomato and Meadowlark.  This week I am going to style an outfit that revolves around Pink Lavender, Blooming Dahlia and Emperador. 

I wish these photos were a little more spring like; more like the weather today, when I am working on this post which is brilliant sunshine and temps in the 50's, However, working with my photographer means scheduling shoots when she is available, so we make the best of it. In this pic, it almost looks like I am at a studio with a winter background, but I can tell you we were definitely outside and it was cold!!

Pink lavender is a very pretty purply pink. I happened to have this short sleeve Croft and Barrow faux lace tee in my closet and it matched perfectly. My husband also picked up this necklace at a garage sale and thought I would like it. I did! I've told him, any time he sees costume jewelry at estate sales or garage sales to take a peek and pick up things he thinks I might like. I'm pretty easy to please when it comes to jewelry! 

Emperador is a chocolate brown. I often wonder at how they come up with the names for the colors on each season's palette. Some are obvious. Pink Lavender looks like pink and lavender mixed together, but Emperador? I googled the word and a brandy company came up. Brandy is more of an amber color, so I am not sure if that is what they were thinking when they gave this brown it's name. I'm not an alcohol drinker, at all, but if you are interested here is a link to Emperador. 

My moto jacket is thrifted and is a brand called Celebrity Pink. This brand is sold at stores like Macy's and Burlington Coat Factory. Here is a similar jacket. Mine is a nice faux leather with a silver zipper and snaps. I should have taken a picture with the jacket zipped up. 

This skirt from dressbarn I have featured on the blog last summer in my Marvelous Maxis series. It is roz & Ali brand. The skirt with its fun, whimsical, floral pattern is fully lined and the perfect transition piece for spring. I thought it gave the illusion of Blooming Dahlia, even though it isn't an exact representation. Plus I felt the outfit benefited from a pattern. 

I added a stretchy woven belt to the skirt and chose to carry my George satchel for a bit of that classic color, Warm Sand. I also slipped on my suede American Eagle ankle boots. 

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet? I think all three of these can be great to combine with stronger classic colors like navy, green or black. If you are not real fond of a particular color because you don't think it looks good on you, don't be afraid to try a smattering of the color in the form of an accessory such as a necklace, bracelet or even a bag. That is a wonderful way to add color without letting it overwhelm you. 

Let me know your thoughts on these colors and my outfit. I love hearing from you! 

Here are a few shopping links for you. These are affiliate links which means if you click on a link I get a few pennies. If you purchase through one of my links I get a little commission. I appreciate your clicks! All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

Thursday linking up with Nicole of High Latitude Style. Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Ordinary Amy - Denim Love

If you follow fashion bloggers at all, then you see loads of cute outfits and put together looks, that sometimes leave you feeling a bit overwhelmed. I know I feel that way. There are many bloggers who show lovely outfits and gorgeous photos. For me they are a source of inspiration, but they can also be a source of dissatisfaction.

There are times I come away from looking at another blog feeling like I want to crawl under a rock! Unfortunately, I feel that way more often than I would like in the long winter months. I want to hide and become invisible, yet, at the same time, I want to be noticed and recognized for something, not sure what, but for something. This is a dichotomy I have struggled with most of my life. Being an introvert often leaves me being misunderstood as aloof or stuck up. It also puts an added burden on my shoulders to push myself outside my comfort zone. That alone, is not a bad thing. It forces me to grow and learn as an individual. It has helped me to overcome fear and be able to reach out to others who have similar feelings. 

Unfortunately, it also weighs on me most of the time. I never really feel free to express myself or my opinions. Yes, I am one of those individuals who has had my opinions shot down, laughed at and even ignored. Obviously, that makes it harder to be confident and bold, not only when it comes to my writing, but to my fashion as well. I often reach for what is comfortable.

When I was growing up, my mom always hung the laundry out on the clothes line when the weather was nice. I remember when I was really young, we still had a ringer washer. I always thought washing day was so much fun, because my mom would let me help her feed the clothes through the ringer, which squeezed the excess water out. I loved to put my hands in the cold rinse water, especially on hot summer days. When I was tall enough, my mother would let me help her hang clothes on the lines outside that ran from our house to a large maple tree.

I used to play amongst the flapping clothes, imagining they were the curtains to a stage where I would be a singer. There weren't many kids in our neighborhood, as we lived out in the country, so I learned to play by myself using my imagination. Sometimes I would sing a story and other times I would imagine I was lost in the jungle and dinosaurs were after me. To this day, I still love to imagine and I also love to do laundry. Hey, everyone should have at least one household chore they like to do! 

When I took these pictures a few weeks ago, the temps had gotten up into the mid fifties. I had a set of sheets and a few smaller throw blankets to wash, so I decided to hang them outside. Ever since those early years, I have loved how things hung outside, smell! 

This is me. Denim, cozy knit vest, sneakers and a little bit of jewelry. I am wearing my Christopher and Bank jeans. The knit vest I have worn on the blog before here. It is Chaps brand. Chaps is a brand found at Kohl's. It has a little higher price point than some of their other brands, but the quality is good. Sizing seems to run a little small, so I usually size up. I found this vest on clearance.

In the above picture you can see some of my pearl jewelry and details on the shirt and vest. The polka dot chambray shirt is SO brand and was thrifted. And looky there, I did some print mixing! Ha, ha. 

Once again, my satchel, from Walmart is making another appearance on the blog. I love the neutral colors and the firm structure. Many of the bags I use are more a hobo bag and slouch when put down. This one is a tote and stands up well. Here is the same one.

I'm also wearing my Keds sneakers that I have had for a while. Here is another cute navy pair, or there is this slip on. 

What is your go to outfit, when you want something comfortable, but don't want to just hang out in your sweats or pjs? Let me know by leaving a comment below. I love hearing from you!

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you'll have a wonderful weekend! 

I've included a few shopping links for similar items. These are affiliate links, meaning if you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my blog, I get a little commission. I appreciate all you do. All opinions are my own. 

Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style. 

Pantone Spring 2018 - Ultra Violet, Cherry Tomato and Meadowlark

Welcome to the second installment in my Pantone Spring 2018 series. Since last fall the Pantone Color Institute has been featuring two color palettes for both the fall and spring seasons. With two palettes to choose from there are so many more color combinations to create fun outfits. 

For today's outfit I combined three more colors. All three of these colors are found on both the New York and London palettes. This week my classic grounding color is Warm Sand. I am glad that the four classic colors were added this year to the palette. Sailor Blue, Harbor Mist, Warm Sand and Coconut Milk are the perfect colors to either use as a foundation for an outfit or to accent a more colorful outfit with accessories. Last week I wore Coconut Milk (white) jeans as the grounding color for my three more colorful pieces. You can see that post here. 

Ultra violet is a lively medium purple. These jeans, which are Not Your Daughter's Jeans, are not truly Ultra Violet, but these colors serve as guidelines for putting an outfit together, not rules. If you don't have the exact shade in your wardrobe, then try a different shade. The outcome will still be a stylish, colorful outfit.

The Cherry Tomato striped tee is has 3/4 length sleeves and a small line of ruffles around the button area at the top. 

For Meadowlark yellow, I added my bright yellow bracelets and necklace. I love how adding just a touch of color can really make a statement. I don't wear a lot of yellow, but using it as an accent in my accessories is a great way to still incorporate the color into my outfit. 

Everything in this outfit is thrifted except the jewelry, purse and shoes. When I bought this sweater it had toggle closures. I'm not a big fan of toggles, so I took them off and simply use the sweater as an open front cardi, or in this case, I added a belt. I thought this worked quite well, as pairing purple and red can be a little bit overwhelming. The sweater really helps to break up the two more bold colors. 

My suede Sonoma ankle boots are old, but I thought they were perfect for this outfit. The pants are very long, so the heel on the boot helps and they are that sandy color, like the sweater, belt and bag. The bag was a recent purchase from Walmart. 

Do I look like I'm running for the house in this last pic? Ha, ha. It was a cold day when we took these photos as you can no doubt tell by the snow.

I hope you enjoyed this look at more of the Pantone Spring 2018 colors. Dig around in your closet and see if you have any of these colors. I bet you would be surprised at how many you do have!

I've shared a few shopping links below. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge and Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish. 

Outfit Inspiration - Eva Trends - Asymmetrical Tassel Knit Sweater

I was contacted a month or so ago, by Eva Trends, a online retailer that features trendy, over size pieces including tops, sweaters, dresses and more. They asked me to feature their products on my blog and gifted me three fun and unique pieces that I was able to choose from their large selection of styles. This is the first of those items. These items were given to me, but all opinions are my own. 

This pretty pinky mauve tassel knitted sweater top is made of light weight knit fabric and will be perfect for spring and summer. The feel is silky soft. I was inspired to style this as two different outfits: casual and more dressy. 

Casual Look

For this look, which I decided to pair the sweater top with my Gloria Vanderbilt olive skinny jeans, a lace trim cami, my SO flats and a new Massini crossbody bag from Meijer. 

This is what the sweater looks like left open. Unfortunately, when I took the pictures I didn't realize the one side was hitched up behind me. Oops! However, the sweater is fairly symmetrical when open. The fringe side hangs a tad bit longer due to the fringe, but it looks nice open. I'll show you another picture when I show you the dressier outfit. 

In this photo you can see how the sweater buttons at the top opposite corners making the criss cross front. I like the way this drapes at the neck and how the fringe cascades down the front. For this casual look I added my yellow pendant necklace to tie in the yellow flowers on the bag. 

Dressy Look

Because this sweater is a pinky purple, it looks great with pieces that are pink, blush or purple, but it would also look fabulous with navy, gray and brown. This time I paired it with a Faded Glory gray tee, a plaid skirt, my Life Stride gray heels, and a purple gray tote. 

Here is another view of the sweater open. I like it both ways. 

I wanted to show you this cute necklace I got on the clearance rack at JC Penney. It goes perfectly with this sweater outfit.

I was very impressed with how Eva Trends packaged their pieces when they arrived. Each item was in its own durable zip lock bag, a great way to protect them from the element. Items are shipped from China. 

These are the three pieces I received, but you'll just have to wait to see how I style the other two. 

Here is my casual and dressy outfit side by side. 

I am pleased with my gifts from Eva Trends so far. I haven't washed anything yet, so I will let you know how that goes in a future post. The company does give washing instructions on their site, and most items are hand wash or delicate wash, so that is something to consider. 

Eva Trends is offering a 15% discount off your entire order. Just use the code AC15 check out. Be sure to head over to their site to check our their unique, trendy pieces. There is something for everyone! And stay tuned for my other two pieces from Eva Trends, coming up in a few weeks. 

Have a great weekend. 

Friday linking up with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style, 

Pantone Spring 2018 - Chili Oil, Arcadia and Lime Punch

As I sit here beginning to type this, it is snowing some of the largest snowflakes I have ever seen! Just two days ago it was almost sixty and now Old Man Winter is back. We expected that, however. Winter will end and spring will come. To help us along it is time to start my Spring Pantone color series. 

I feature the Pantone colors twice a year, spring and fall. The reason I do this is simple. I love color! When I first discovered the Pantone Institute and began keeping track of their seasonal color palettes, I thought it was fun to see all the pretty colors they came up with. Frankly, now I am obsessed. I love to see the new colors each season and try to build outfits around those colors. 

Last week I introduced you to this year's spring palettes for both New York and London. There is a good deal of overlap this year. Considering there are twelve colors on each palette I was relieved for the duplicates. I wasn't about to subject you to that long of a series, just on color. This time around I am combining up to three colors in each outfit, plus a foundational color using one of the featured classic colors as well. 

These pictures will not look very springy, seeing as it was a blustery, snowy day when we had our shoot, but I think they look pretty, even if the wind was whipping and I was freezing. 

These three colors are spicy and fun! Chili Oil and Arcadia are on the New York palette, while Lime Punch is featured on both. My classic color for this outfit is Coconut Milk, or white. 

This thrifted Covington jacket worked perfectly as a Chili Oil piece. Not quite brown and not quite red, this color makes me think of Mexican fiestas and earthy tones. Arcadia partners well with the heat of Chili Oil, as if to cool the temperatures before things get too hot. Then throw in just a smidge of Lime Punch and you have a great transitional outfit. Still warm and grounded, but with just enough color to make you giddy for spring. 

The Arcadia turtleneck sweater is a recent purchase from Chico's. This sweater is soft, stretchy and not at all itchy. They don't seem to have this color any more, unfortunately, but I'll include a few links at the end for similar colored items. 

I found this cute metal and bead necklace at a thrift store. The Lime Punch beads are a nice contrast from yellow or green. 

Once again, I am wearing my Gloria Vanderbilt white jeans. I think white really helped this outfit to pop and to be a great transitional outfit for spring. 

For my bag I chose this cute little thrift store find from Relic. The yellows in the bag are very similar to the Lime Punch color of my necklace. I thought this was a unique piece and I think it works very well to add print to this otherwise solid colored outfit. 

For my shoes I chose this pair of dark burgundy heeled ankle boots. I like the different twist these Life Stride boots have on the side. It is sort of like ruching for a shoe!

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Which is your favorite on this outfit? I've been seeing a lot of Arcadia various places, but Lime Punch is a fun color for the warmer weather. I also like the international flavor of Chili Oil....so many colors and so little time! Ha, ha.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I'd love to hear from you, so leave me some love! 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a shopping link I get a few pennies, if you purchase something through one of my links, I get a little commission. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Monday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb. Tuesday linking up with Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee in the Spread the Kindness link up. Friday linking up with Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots and Jo-Lynne of Jo-Lynne Shane. 

Old Becomes New (or Not)

Have you ever bought something only to hang it in your closet where it seems to disappear? Not that it really goes any where, but you just never reach for it. Or, if you are a clothes horse like me, things have a tendency to actually disappear in between other clothes, in a pile on a shelf or the floor. This is one of the problems with having too many clothes. However, this is not a post about how to declutter, though that may be a good idea for a future date. 

I wanted to start this monthly column to force myself to reach for those items that I've had for a while, but haven't really given much thought as to how to style them. I know many people are very organized. Their closets are pristine and when they go shopping they know exactly what they want to get and how they are going to style that piece with something else. I really wish I was more that way, but frankly, I am not. I love to shop and I love to have lots of choices. Believe me when I say, I am much better than I used to be. In fact I have been trying to cut back even more, so that I am able to put money towards other things we will need, like a new car.

I have a little four door Saturn, a company that does not exist any more, but one that manufactured reliable, simple cars. Mine is a 2002 and it still starts right up, even on the coldest days. I'm going to miss that little beast, but it rattles and shakes and makes lots of noise, so we know the day is coming that it will have to be replaced. 

I would also like to use this column to help me weed out my closet. I thought of styling a piece two or three different ways over the course of a couple months. If at the end of that time, I haven't felt the piece lived up to my original expectations I will get rid of it. 

This week, I looked at my many jackets, blazers and other such pieces and decided to build an outfit using this suit wear jacket. Longer than a regular blazer this light weight piece is rather dull. The reason I bought it at a thrift store is that I thought it would be a versatile piece. I have worn it once or twice to work, but other than that don't often reach for it. 

For this look, I decided to pair the jacket with white, off white and blush. The jacket is a brand called Braetan. This brand currently is known for their coats and outerwear. The one I'm wearing is more of a suit coat without a lining. It is very light weight, so a good choice for a transitional spring outfit. The jacket is plaid, though at a distance it is hard to see and depending on the lighting, it looks taupe, brown, gray or olive. 

I am wearing my Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. I love this pair of white jeans as they are a thicker material and not see through. Here is a pair at JC Penney.

This top, I bought a few years back at Kohl's. I love the cute Bambi print. Lauren Conrad did a whole line of Disney themed pieces, which were very cute and whimsical. While she doesn't have the Disney line at Kohl's anymore, here is another cute top. 

For my accessories, I chose this cute little pink clutch, a recent clearance find at Kohl's and my fun beaded necklace with blush and gray. I added my blush SO flats, but didn't take a picture, since you have seen them so many times before. Ha, ha .

My first impressions of this piece are not favorable. I feel that the jacket is too boxy. I am going to style this piece again next month in this Old Becomes New column and we'll see if it gets to remain in my closet, or gets the boot. 

What do you think so far? is this a piece you would wear? How would you style a jacket like this? Let me know in the comments. I love to hear from you. 

Here are a few Braetan brand coats from Kohl's that would be perfect for spring. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.