Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Lemon Verbena & Aspen Gold

Today we are finishing up the Pantone Spring/Summer series with two lovely yellows: London’s Lemon Verbena and New York’s Aspen Gold. It wasn’t my first choice to pair these two colors together, but as I went along, picking out outfits and pairing colors, I decided that pairing the two yellows, was the prefect combination for a bright outfit that epitomizes the changes in the weather as we transition from spring to summer. The sun shines more, (hopefully), the skies are blue and we are looking to spending more time outdoors.

I have become an avid fan of yellows of any shade and have accumulated a number of pieces across seasons. I especially love the deeper shades that are reminiscent of sun flowers and daffodils, but lighter, lemon yellows, or tangier, mustard yellows are fun as well. Perhaps what draws me to it, is its ability to lift my spirits and make me think of sunshine, which I am in dire need of by this time of year. This spring seems especially bad, with all the rain we have been getting.

This Liz Claiborne 3/4 length sleeve cardi was a recent thrift find and so was the Chaps tee. I love the lacy detail on the front panels of the sweater and the yoke on the tee. Details like that just make an outfit look even more special. Once again, I got these two pieces separately, so I didn’t know until I paired them, that they both had that lace detailing. It just shows, once you have developed your fashion likes you will often reach for them. I love lace or things that look lacy. As I have shared with you before, I also love embroidery, which brings me to my neutral ankle pants.

These are also Liz Claiborne, but I got them on the clearance rack at JC Penney. I absolutely love the fit, fabric and details on this neutral pair of ankle pants. They are a light weight, chino type material and because they are a tan color, will go with so many tops. You can’t go wrong, having a neutral pair of pants in your wardrobe, spring, summer, winter or fall, a pair of pants like these can prove very useful.

This fun little necklace, used to belong to one of my daughters, but she didn’t want it any more. I like the hippy vibe and that there is a yellow cord mixed in. You can also see the detailing on the tee and the sweater more closely in this picture.

In keeping with my neutral feel for this outfit, I chose my large woven Sonoma tote bag. Once again, the fun details in the braiding and fringe, as well as the coppery threads, make this a great piece, especially for a day at the beach. This was a clearance find at Kohl’s.

The only other jewelry I added was a beaded bracelet with tones of tan, brown and red.

These Massimo sneakers were another thrift store find. I found these and the cream pair that I wore in the first Pantone outfit from this series at a Goodwill store. They had never been worn and still had the tags on them. I think the chocolate metallic color of these is rather fun! Do you have any metallic shoes. Hmmmm! Sounds like another idea for a blog post, don’t you think?

What do you think of these two colors? Do you like yellow? I never used to wear yellow, but now it has become a favorite of mine.

On Thursday, I hope to do a recap of all the Pantone colors. I’d love to hear which of them were your favorites.

I am including a few shopping links for all things yellow. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.










Print Mixing Mash Up - Checked Trousers - Outfit 1

This week the Print Mixing Mash up features a pair of Worthington black and gray checked trousers. The checkered pattern on these is very subtle, but it is definitely a print, rather than a solid. Worthington has been making reliable dress pants and women’s work clothes for JCPenney since 1985. I have several pairs of their pants, and they are long lasting, wrinkle resistant and fit pretty well.

I have had these pants for many years and have worn them to work and for special outings where I need to be more dressed up. I wanted this first look to be a bit more casual, so chose a thrifted, pinkish red, Merona, gingham blouse, along with my City Streets floral bomber jacket, also from JCPenney. So, yes, I am mixing three prints here. Ha, ha. See how easy it becomes after a little practice.

The prints on the blouse and the trousers are almost an exact match for size, which gives the outfit a more uniform look, even though they are a different color. With the floral bomber on top it pulls the two colored prints together.

This black and gold fringe necklace on a berry colored cord was the perfect accompaniment.

Hello, again, my favorite ballerina flats. These SO flats have a memory foam footbed that make them very comfy. Right now Kohl’s is having a sale on these for only $19.99. They also added a few new colors, so if you are looking for a fun, comfy flat check those out here.

It used to be the trend to match our bags with our shoes. Now the trend has gotten away from that, but every once in a while, I like to match. It just makes an outfit looks polished and balanced. This NY & Co tote was a thrift find. Do you like to match your shoes with your bag? Do you carry the same purse all the time, or do you like to change them frequently? My hubby put me on a purse fast, because I have so many. I keep telling myself I need to use more of them, so they aren’t just laying around, but I get lazy and don’t want to take the time to change everything to a different bag. Ha, ha. How about you? Are you a purse hog like me?

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have a pair of printed trousers, jeans or ankle pants in your closet? How about grabbing a few of your printed tops or jackets and see what new combinations you can come up with.

I’ve included a few shopping links for Worthington pants and floral bombers. Have fun shopping. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Plaid Bomber Jacket - Outfit 1

If you are just joining me here on my blog, I am doing a series on print mixing. Week one focused on a yellow and white long sleeved tee ( Outfit 1, Outfit 2). Week two focused on a printed skirt (Outfit 1, Outfit 2). You can see the original posts for each outfit, by clicking on the links. My goal for each of these outfits is to show you three things: 1) You don’t have to spend buckets of money to look fashionable and be trendy, 2) Print mixing is not that hard, and 3) Your ability to print mix starts in your own closet. The only way I learned to print mix was practice, just like so many things in life that we aren’t born with an innate knowledge of.

This week’s outfits revolve around a plaid bomber jacket. I found this fun piece at Eden Fashion Boutique. It was marked down and I also had a coupon, so it was one of those win, win combos. Eden is a local boutique with stores in Sylvania, Ohio and Bowling Green, Ohio. I did a post on the Sylvania location and if you are interested, you can read about that here.

My daughter and I were doing some thrifting and shopping in Bowling Green and stopped in at their location. We both tried on numerous fun pieces and I bought this bomber jacket and a long sleeve tee that I posted on Instagram last Thursday.

The plaid jacket is a mix of orange and blue stripes on a gray background. I thought it would be fun to pair it with a print containing those same colors. When I came across this longer denim skirt, I thought to give it a try. While, I think the print mix works, I really don’t like the silhouette of the outfit. Just a little too baggy for my taste.

Here you can see the mix of prints closer up.

The fact that the outfit was going to be ultra casual made me reach for this olive hobo bag that I have used on the blog before. It is always fun to add a pretty brooch or two, to an otherwise more plain piece, whether it be a blouse, a jacket, a scarf or a bag like this one.

I also decided to wear my Seven Dials black combat boots. The reason I chose these was to bring together the black and white cuffs and collar on the jacket with the shoes.

To keep the edgy look I went for a necklace that I have had for many years. A combination of metal and beads, I like that it has a utility look to it.

The dark orange tee is a thrifted Chico’s tee. It really brings out the orange in the plaid jacket, as well as the rusty orange floral print of the skirt. This is another way to bring printed pieces together in a harmonious blend. (Yes, I am listening to Celtic music right now and I love the harmonies in their music, whether instrumental or vocal.) Pick a solid piece that is a common color in both pieces. You’ll see this idea again in Thursday’s post with this same jacket.

As always, I love to hear your thoughts on these outfits. Is this something your would wear? Do you like denim skirts? Do you like skirts that are this length or shorter? Do you have a bomber jacket that you like to wear? I value your input, so leave a comment or two below.

My hubby and I had a nice weekend away, but now I am fighting the crud. I was hoping to get through the whole winter without getting sick, but my grandson and daughter both got it, so I had to join the fun. Hope this post finds you all well.

Have a great Tuesday.

Spring Trend - Crafted Pieces

If you have followed my last few posts you know I am doing a short series on some of the Spring 2019 trends. The crazy thing about this whole trend idea is that there are many differing opinions on what exactly those trends are. I tried to narrow it down to some of the more prominent ones, but I may have missed some and picked up on others that I thought were more interesting. Today’s trend is definitely one I like, crafted pieces.

What is a crafted piece, you may wonder. Basically, crafting means that it is or is like home made. Think of pieces that are crocheted, knitted, tie dye or various forms of weaving, beading and so on. These pieces are going to make a statement all on their own, but will easily add pop and pizazz to any outfit. Think sixties hippy meets stylin’ granny. If that sounds a little too funky for you, hang in there and you might change your mind.

I grew up with a mom who crocheted and she had numerous sisters, my aunts, that also worked their wonders with yarn and needle(s). Mostly, my mom made afghans and doilies. One of my aunts made bears and clowns and sold them at craft shows. Occasionally something would come across our doorstep from cousins’ and others’ hand-me-downs, that would include a crocheted piece of clothing. I remember a vest, in particular that I really liked made of separate crocheted squares pieced together. I guess it was my exposure to these crafted pieces that has given me the love I have for them still.

This knit ruana is Sonoma brand and I found it at Kohl’s on the clearance rack at the end of last summer season. I like that it is a neutral color and that it has actual sleeves sown into it. Many ruanas merely drape over the arms and down the back, which always makes me feel a little less at ease, for fear it will shift and I will have to keep arranging it to keep it in place. Having a bit of a sleeve solves this problem. You can see another post on a ruana without sewn in sleeves by clicking on the link to this post from last summer.

I love the mix of open and more closed weaving on this piece.

Another trend that I didn’t do a specific post for is pattern mixing. This spring pattern mixing is bigger than ever. For those of you who still haven’t come on board the pattern mixing trend, the fashion gurus are making it easier by manufacturing pieces that have patterns already mixed on them. We saw some of the last few seasons with baseball type tees donning both stripes and flowers. You’ll see more of it this year and the patterns are going to be bolder than ever. I’ll give you more examples on Thursday’s post where I talk about the scarf pattern trend.

I decided to do some of my own print mixing on this outfit by pairing this subtle paisley print top with my thrifted plaid Mossimo trousers.

Once again, the key to print mixing is in both color and pattern. Although, I have a feeling this spring we’ll be seeing more pieces with a more Anything Goes feel.

I kept my jewelry minimal since this Liz Claiborne top from JC Penney already has some of its own embellishment. This leaf necklace was a recent find, also from Penney’s.

My shoes are thrifted and are Natural Soul brand. My cute little clutch was a recent clearance purchase from DSW. Make sure you check out the clearance sections at these types of stores. I found this clutch and three kimono/ruana’s that are going to be perfect for spring and summer. The prices were too good to pass up.

Even though palm print was last spring’s trend I feel that it is one of those that could become timeless, sort of like leopard print. Especially when in a complimentary piece like this that will easily become a go to for summer.

I guess technically you could say I am mixing four prints in this outfit. Plaid, paisley, palms and the weaving on the crafted piece. What do you know, I styled an outfit that is filled with prints and alliteration. Ha, ha. There is texture also happening in the woven bag, the chain, the crochet, the tassels and metal embellishments on the top and the gathering on the empire waist and sleeves. There is, indeed, much going on in this outfit. Do you think it works or is it too much?

I love to hear you thoughts, so leave a comment or two in the comments section.

Now, to announce the winner of the $30 Target gift card. First of all, I want to thank all of you who are my regular followers, who regularly leave some love on the blog. Your input means so much to me. Secondly, I want to thank all the new subscribers who signed up as part of the giveaway and I hope that my blog will not disappoint you and that you will find inspiration and encouragement on a regular basis here.

And the winner is: Shirley Hulbert

I will be contacting you via email, to get your info, so I can get the card out to you as soon as possible. Congratulations!

I’ve included a few shopping links for crafted pieces. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I’ve included a number of pieces I thought looked fun. Enjoy perusing!

Spring Trend - Neons and Pastels

In contrast to last week’s post, Spring Trend - Head to Toe Neutral, this week I am focusing on the Spring Trend of neons and pastels. Rather than divide this into two posts, I decided to combine the trends and the colors into one outfit. If we can wear neutral on the top and bottom, why not create an outfit with neon and pastel together?

This bright neon yellow top is sleeveless and there was no way I was going out in the snow in a sleeveless top, so I added a recent purchase from Forever 21’s clearance racks, this citron yellow chenille sweater. The top is H&M and is a hand-me-over from my daughter. The sweater is as cozy and soft as it looks, so I was glad to add it to my outfit on this very cold day.

These blush jeans are H&M and you’ve seen them before on the blog in my 20 Days of Christmas series. They have a little bit of distressing on them, but because they are so light you can hardly notice. Since I was going with light pink for my pastel, I added my blush SO flats and my blush clutch.

My necklace was a thrift store find. I thought it added another splash of neon in a different color. If you don’t like neon, this is a simple way to add just a splash of color without being overwhelmed by it. Accessories are always a good way to add color that you wouldn’t necessarily wear near you face.

What do you think of the neon trend? would you wear these bright colors or do you prefer neutrals like the ones in my post last week? Are you a pastel lover? I’d love to hear you thoughts.


I’ve included a few shopping links for all things neon. If you don’t like wearing bright colors like this try adding a little splash by wearing neon earrings or by carrying a neon purse. You’ll be right on trend.

These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.


Spring Trend - Head to Toe Neutral

I thought it would be fun to shop my closet and see what sort of spring trend outfits I could come up with. When I began looking for neutral pieces I couldn’t decide what shade to go for. When I looked at various websites for spring trends, some of the neutral pieces leaned more toward camel than beige, but it doesn’t really matter. You can choose any version of neutral for this look. My neutrals are almost more of a cream than beige, but the effect is the same.

When putting a neutral outfit together, think in terms of texture. Adding texture gives the outfit interest. This is more important when your outfit doesn’t contain any pops of color. Color, whether bright neons or soft pastels makes an outfit speak. When wearing a neutral outfit, it can be too understated without adding textural elements.

This ribbed v-neck sweater I have had for a number of years. The brand is NorthCrest Classic, but was thrifted. The vest I purchased at Kohl’s and is Wallflower brand. I’ll be speaking to crafted pieces, another spring trend, later, but this vest fits the bill. My jeans are Croft and Barrow.

I thought gold would a be good choice for jewelry. I just like the way the gold looks agains the neutral background, but you could have used silver, copper or brass or mixed the metals. You could get a more classy dressed up look by adding a few strings of pearls.

Top handle bags are all the rage for spring. Mine is not as trendy as the stuff out there right now, but I like the patchwork look and the room this bag from Walmart has. It is structured, sturdy and stylish. What more could I want. Okay, maybe a matching wallet with several one hundred dollar bills would be nice. Ha, ha.


These suede Sonoma boots have served me well over the years and really aren’t looking to worn yet. Once again, choosing suede adds texture, although an outfit like this would look fabulous with a cream or beige leather bootie or even an off white. You’d still be staying in the neutral zone with any of those.

The old saying the devil is in the detail would apply when wearing a neutral outfit like this. When picking out pieces for a neutral look, try to add a few things that have texture like a ribbed or cable knit sweater, a piece that is knitted or crocheted or even something with quilting. Also think about details when choosing accessories. Jewelry with fun add ons like feathers or charms, shoes or bags with buckles or interesting stitching all add texture and interest to a neutral outfit.

What do you think of the neutral trend? Will this be a trend you will wear this spring? How do you like to wear your neutrals? I love having your feedback, so leave me some love in the comments. I would also appreciate you telling your friends or family about the blog. Ask them to subscribe.

Have a great Thursday and stay warm. If you follow my faith page, be sure to check back tomorrow for the final installment in my New Year, New Mind, series.

Here are a few neutral pieces for you to shop. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Eva Trends - Verdant Cardigan

The word verdant means green with grass or other vegetation or of a bright green color. Today’s featured piece from Eva Trends is just that, a piece reminiscent of the first greens of spring. Who doesn’t look forward to those first green buds of spring after a long, cold winter. While this winter, so far, has been an exception to the usual winters we have, I still look forward to when the cold, drab days, loosen their grip and spring once again claims the land. In the mean time, this sweater is the perfect piece for a cold winter day.

The Verdant Cardigan is a heavy weight sweater made of a cellulose based fiber knows as Viscose. Viscose is not a completely natural fabric such as cotton or silk, but is also not completely man made. The mateiral is plant based and results in a silky, soft fabric used in the manufacture of various clothing pieces as well as upholstery. The resulting fabric hangs well and provides a heavy weight perfect for sweaters or coats.

There are many fun features about this open front cardi besides the material itself. It has pockets that are woven right in, meaning no fear of things coming unattached. The pockets are square and roomy.

Another fun detail is the stitching on the front and sleeves. The back is plain. The length is perfect for office wear or just for a cozy night at home.

For this outfit I decided to put the pretty green sweater over my plaid top from Christopher and Banks. I added my Chico’s slimming pants, my SO olive booties and my Charming Charlie tote bag. The silver and coppery bead necklace finished the look.

This is a very pretty cardigan and I really like it. It will be great for cold, winter days at the office and at home. My only caution is that the sizing runs small. This is a one size item and if you are bigger than a size 12, I would not recommend this particular piece. However, Eva Trends has many other good options, so be sure to head over to their site and do some looking.

If you are interesting in purchasing anything from Eva Trends, if you used the code AC15, you’ll get 15% off your entire order. Their website is filled with fun, eclectic, artistic pieces and I am sure you can find something there to suit your tastes. Just keep in mind their sizing runs a bit smaller than normal.

The Verdant Cardigan was gifted to me. I was not paid to feature these pieces, and I do not receive compensation if you purchase something through these links, but you do get the discount for me featuring their product on my blog. All opinions are my own.

I hope you enjoyed this post and this outfit. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I so appreciate you ladies that regularly comment on my blog. You always make me feel special!

Have a great Tuesday and be sure to check back tomorrow for my Faith post, When Our Thoughts are a Train Wreck, and on Thursday for my final Eva Trends piece.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

20 Days of Christmas - Plaid Pants

Every now and then I have to get outside my comfort box. I have never really liked wearing things that draw attention to my lower half. Especially tight fitting, brightly colored pieces. I prefer a-line dresses to body con styles. If you don’t know, body con is more of a form fitting dress. I prefer dark wash jeans to lighter washes and feel most comfortable in jeans rather than leggings. I don’t wear leggings as pants, or if I do, I have my bum covered. Anyway, when I saw these crazy, red, plaid pants at Target on the clearance rack, I immediately thought of my Christmas challenge.

Those of you who regularly follow me, know I have been doing a monthly column called Outside the Box. These have been posts that I have done to try to challenge myself to get out of my typical fashion mentality. Let’s face it, we all like to be comfortable. Some women are comfortable in heels and dresses. While I can do that, it is not what I turn to when I want to feel secure. My go to, as you know are jeans and cozy sweaters or flannel shirts. But I also know that part of getting older is the urge to get stuck in a rut and not be willing to learn or try new things, thus the idea of getting outside the box.

These plaid pants do not have any green in them, so they will be easily styled with other colors, but I thought they were perfect when paired with a newer Croft & Barrow v-neck cable knit sweater and a thrifted blazer.

This blazer is actually meant to have a double breasted look, but I am too big to button it in that manner. However, when I saw it, it was the buttons on each side that made me want to buy it, that and the color. I think wearing it open, using the buttons for a decoration, works just as well. Since it is more of a forest green, I felt that it keeps the outfit from being too over the top with color.

I decided on silver for my accessories and was excited to remember this large silver pendant necklace that closely resembles a snowflake. That and my SO silver flats and a small silver clutch complete the ensemble.

I think this outfit is festive and fun and would work well for a Christmas office party, or a lunch date with your girlfriends. Would you wear a pair of pants like this? How do you like to dress up for a Christmas party?

I’ve included a few shopping links for more fun plaid prints. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone.


20 Days of Christmas - Fairisle Sweater

Nothing says winter better than a Fair Isle Sweater. Fair Isle is one of the Shetland islands and it is from this area that the familiar pattern of knitting, using multiple colors came into play in the fashion world. The patterns became popular in 1921 when the Prince of Wales wore Fair Isle sweaters in public. You can see examples of true Fair Isle pieces by visiting this website, Mati Ventrillon. Her story is interesting and the pieces she creates unique and beautiful. It is is worth taking time to peruse her site. If you have the resources and are able to wear wool, one of these sweaters would be a once in a life time investment.

Obviously, my sweater was made on a machine at a factory and is strictly man made materials, but finding this Chap’s brand sweater at Kohl’s on the clearance rack last year was a win for me. I cannot wear wool, as it makes me itch and the price for one of Mati’s beautiful hand made pieces tops off at about $250. Since I don’t live on a chilly island north of Scotland, I think I’ll stick with my cheap fake. Ha, ha.

I was a bit at a loss this morning with taking pictures. My weekend was so busy and then I didn’t feel the greatest yesterday, so I didn’t get my pictures taken after work as I had planned. Frankly, I forgot. My brain has turned to its usual SAD slush! Ugg. Weeks of clouds takes it’s toll and while we had one sunny day on Sunday, one day is not enough to bring me completely out of the seasonal funk.

Anyway, it was so overcast this morning, I knew it was going to take more time than I had to get my camera to a setting that would take a decent picture outside, so I opted for my phone. Lots of these turned out fuzzy, so I apologize for the not so great photos.

Here is a close up of the pretty red, white and blue pattern. While typically that color combination is patriotic, on this sweater it seems more festive and Christmas ready rather than Fourth of July. I love the dark navy with the lighter more silvery blue and the red almost borders on pink.

This fun silver fringe necklace is one of my favorites and I like the way it pulls out the silvery threads in the sweater pattern. The other reason I like this necklace is if you get nervous or bored it is fun to fiddle with the fringe! Ha, ha.

Since I wanted to keep the outfit casual I chose to pair it with my silver sneakers which are a new addition to my shoe pile. I found these at a local department store on clearance. Today was the first time I wore them for a long period of time. They weren’t too uncomfortable, although by the time I was done shopping with my daughter at the mall, I was starting to feel a few spots that were rubbing. Oh well, I am sure they will still get plenty of use at my part time job and other occasions where I don’t have to do a ton of walking.

I think this works for a very casual Christmas outfit and the sweater could easily be dressed up with a cute pencil skirt or even a pleated skirt with heels. You could also go for gold, instead of silver for your accessories to change it up a bit.

One last picture just for laughs and of course this one turned out perfect! Ha, ha. Isn’t that the way of things?

I was looking out the window and saw a huge flat bed truck with a full load of wooden palettes doing a U-turn in the middle of our street. It was one of those, “All righty then,” moments. Ha, ha.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you own a Fair Isle sweater? Is this the type of sweater you would wear? I’ve included a few shopping links for a few that are more budget friendly. Remember, these are affiliate links. If you click on a link I get a few pennies. All opinions are my own. I appreciate your support, but even more than clicks, I appreciate your comments. I love to hear how I have inspired you or how you have taken a fashion trend or idea and made it your own. That is so inspiring to me.

Have a great evening.



Ordinary Amy - Bootcut Jeans and Leopard Print

Those of you who follow me on a regular basis know I am a jeans kind of gal. Jean are what I live in and I love to be able to dress up a pair of jeans for a lunch date, work or a night out with my hubby. I don’t care what wash they are or what cut, jeans are just my favorite, go to pants.

For today’s post I decided to move away from my frequent choice of dark wash skinny jeans and chose my lighter wash, thrifted, bootcut jeans. I like the shape of a good pair of boot cut jeans. These are actually a little bigger, which I like because they are so comfortable. These are a thicker denim, so hopefully, will last for a while. This is an older brand called Kikit, which are only available through Etsy, Poshmark and other thrift retailers.

The choice to wear this leopard print blazer that I found on the JC Penney clearance rack last year was a no brainer! Animal prints are trending now, especially the classic leopard print.

I can remember when I was a young girl thinking of leopard print as something only the rich and famous wore. Pictures of celebrities with their fur stoles and jackets were from before my time, but even in the late 60’s and early 70’s animal print patterns were not something the average woman wore. Maybe that is part of the reason these prints are so popular now and continue to be. Also, I think we are more evolved in the fashion arena as far as fabrics and pieces that can mimic the patterns in nature.

For my top, I chose my black velvet tee. This was a Christmas gift from my hubby last Christmas. I thought it went very nicely under the velvet, leopard jacket.

Along with leopard print comes the look of burgundy or red accessories. Red shoes and boots are big this fall. I opted for the more subdued burgundy color, rather than a bright red, but the combination works to make a much more interesting outfit. Even if you don’t have leopard print you could combine burgundy with brown, tan and black and get a sharp looking outfit.

My cute fringe bag is thrifted and my ankle boots are a recent purchase from Meijer. I will be the first to admit I have a shoe problem, but only in spurts. Meijer was having a Buy One Get One for a Dollar, so I had to take a look. Of course I found these boot and they went right into my cart. Then I tried on some Keds and a pair of those jumped in the cart. Well, there was a clearance area as well and I found the cutest blush sneakers…so yes, I came home with three pairs of shoes. Shhhhh! Don’t tell.

I decided to wear my burgundy wood and metal and a coppery gold belt as my finishing pieces, adding a front tuck to give definition to my waist.

While we were taking pictures, I met this very nice man. He was so understanding and quite a good listener. Ha, ha. We couldn’t pass up a great picture opportunity.

Are you a jeans girl too? What is your favorite brand of jeans? Do you buy your jeans at thrift stores or do you have a particular retailer that you like to buy from? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave me some love in the comments section.

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

Have a great weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Pantone Fall 2018 - Limelight, Mellow Rose and Meerkat

Of all the colors on the Pantone Fall 2018 palette, I felt Limelight and Mellow Rose were the least fall-like colors. Once again, I had to think outside the box when pairing these two light pastels together, to make the outfit seem more in keeping with a fall theme. In order to do this, I thought it would be best to pair them with Pantone’s classic color, Meerkat. Meerkat is a warm, orange brown and while it could be used in any season, It makes me think of fall leaves, bonfires and warm apple cider.

Mellow Rose is actually one of two colors that is only found on the London Palette. I am not sure why they added this and Crocus Petal, the two extra colors on their palette, but they are light, airy and more spring like. Maybe it was an attempt at bridging the gap between the seasons and reminding people that the old rules are gone and colors are seasonless.

All of the pieces in this outfit were thrifted except the bag and the boots. The Limelight colored jeans are Talbots brand and are really an ankle pant that I rolled up, so they stop at the top of my boots. The Mellow Rose button up is Izod brand and the long fringe knit vest is a brand called Sun and Shadow. I’ve styled this vest several times before. You can see those posts here and here.

I don’t remember where I got the belt, but I thought it tied in with the boots and bag quite well. I just did a front tuck with the shirt.

This bag I got at Meijer and I am not sure of the brand. It is a nice cross body bag and the embroidery on the front adds interesting color and texture. I think this can be used for all seasons.

These boots are a brand called Sugar and I got them at Kohl’s a few years ago. They are made of a suede type material and add a different look to an outfit because of the single, long, wrap tie.

I just added a simple bead and metal necklace and a bracelet for jewelry. This might be fun with a scarf or even some layered necklaces for a more bohemian look.

Here is a full length view of the vest from behind.

This is the second outfit in this series that I am not completely happy with. These colors are great, just not necessarily together, or for the season of fall. I know, I know, we can wear whatever, whenever, but if I’m not happy with it, then I’m not going to wear it. I’ve worn both of these pieces in the spring and summer. My color leanings are more bold and bright, but if you are a pastel kind of girl, then follow my friend Liz at With Wonder and Whimsy. She loves pastels and wears them all year round!

That’s all for today. Hope you are having a great Tuesday!



Old Becomes New - Multi-print Blazer

For this month’s Old Becomes New column, I am featuring a short, 3/4 sleeve blazer that I found at a thrift store a few years back. What drew me to it was the amazing, eclectic color palette. My first thought was that I could wear it with so many things. After I tried it on and loved its’ stretchy feel, I had to take it home. Unfortunately, I’ve only worn it less than a handful of times. I decided to revisit it and make the tough choice as to whether I should keep it our not.

I honestly believe this jacket is meant for a smaller person than me. I am 5’ 5” and hover around 163 pounds. While it tends, on me, as more of a crop jacket, I’m just not sure. I am asking for your help friends. What do you all think? Does my outfit look disproportionate?

I chose my dressbarn W62 jeans. I bought this pair last year and they no longer carry this color. I love that they are so comfortable and stretchy, however, I feel like they are almost too big. I lost a few pounds this past spring, so I don’t know if that is what made the difference, but they seem to have a lot more wrinkles. Do you ever buy something, put it on and think, “It just doesn’t have the magic, I thought it had?”

I went with this thrifted brown tee and a necklace that was in some of my daughter’s stuff to be gotten rid of. Hey, I’m not afraid to find treasure in the strangest of places. I like the brown and yellow cord, the beads, ribbon and the charms, which you can’t see much of in this picture. It seemed a prefect fall accessory.

My bag is another thrift find. I felt the brown tee and the brown bag pulled in more of a fall feel with this blazer that could be worn in any season.

Once again, I chose my SO olive ankle boots. These are perfect for the cool temps of fall when you are not quite ready for mid-calf or knee high boots. You can see more fun colors here. The price point on these is not bad at all and they are very comfortable. I typically wear an 8.5 or a 9 and went with a 9 in these so I have more room for heavier socks as the days get cooler.

What is your verdict? Is this a jacket I should keep or should I let it go free? Ha, ha. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I have to work Friday and Saturday and try to play catch up with all the other stuff that I don’t get done during the week. Ha, ha. Take care and always choose to be kind.

Pantone Fall 2018 - Martini Olive, Ceylon Yellow and Tofu

I will confess, these colors are not my favorites. It might be due to the fact that I decided to combine them into one outfit.

Martini Olive is more of a gray or brown based olive. I honestly like an olive that is more green. However, for the sake of being open minded this would be a good neutral that could go with many different colors including navy, black or even a rich deep red. Maybe I should have paired Martini Olive with Red Pear. What do you think? These jeans are thrifted and Gloria Vanderbilt brand.

Ceylon Yellow has a bit of a bite. It is not really a mustard, but has a bit of spice underlying it. I have fallen in love with yellow, but my personal tastes tend more towards the yellows that are sunflower or goldenrod. The top is thrifted and Merona brand.

I opted for orange, as the pop of color I felt this outfit needed. Orange bag, orange necklace and bracelet: I feel like it epitomizes the mix of colors in the fall that we so often see in the trees.

This jacket I found at H&M on the clearance rack. Once again, it is a moto type jacket, but tends more towards a tweedy look, which gives it an entirely different vibe from last week’s metallic blush moto jacket. The color is in line with the Pantone classic color labeled Tofu. Not a true white, but not a true cream, it seems to fall somewhere in between. I love the texture details, including the frayed sleeves and bottom hem.

Once again, I am wearing my olive SO ankle boots. Just like my SO ballet flats these boots are very comfortable and look nice. I love the rich texture of the faux suede.

I am not completely satisfied with this look. I don’t like what I did with my hair, even though that is something I do from time to time and this outfit doesn’t have enough color contrast for me. I like bright, rich colors and this palette just leaves me looking washed out. But hey, not every outfit can be a winner. I’m still learning and growing.

I do think these colors would be better paired with another color. The yellow would look pretty with a blue shade or even a rich chocolate brown and like I said earlier, the Martini Olive would pair well with a navy, burgundy or even a purple.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, both good and bad! I’ve included a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Ordinary Amy: Blush Moto Jacket

I have gotten away from my monthly columns for a while, but now feel like I can get back at it. For today’s Ordinary Amy post, I chose to build my outfit around a blush moto jacket that I found at Nordstrom Rack back in May. I had been looking for a lighter colored moto jacket and this one fit the bill perfectly.

I know I am not the only gal that has a love affair with motorcycle jackets. They have always been a favorite of mine, for as long as I can remember. When I was young, my brothers used to race dirt bikes (motocross) and I loved the thrill, the noise and the dirt of going to watch them ride. I always thought that would have been so much fun. Needless to say, growing up with the two wheeled noise makers around gave me an earthy, edgy perspective on life.

Another factor that solidified my love for moto jackets, motorcycles and writing, was a book that I had to read in my 8th grade English class. The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton was a coming of age story about a group of boys from the poor side of town and how they dealt with the difficulties of broken homes, strained relationships and maneuvering adolescence in the midst of night time rumbles with the rich kids and running away from home. Some of the first stories I wrote followed a very similar thread to S.E. Hinton, as I struggled with my own acceptance of adolescence, my place in the socioeconomic strata and who I was becoming as a young woman.

Just as my fashion sense has grown and changed, so has my writing ability and interest. I still love to revisit those early stories and remember the feelings associated with them. I’m now trying to learn new genres of writing, in the hopes that one day, I might actually make publishing a reality. In the mean time, here is an outfit for you to peruse.

My daughter quickly took these pictures on my camera while she was over with her pups to help me rake my yard. Cottonwood trees are big and give plenty of shade, but they shed terribly and the leaves they drop in the fall are exactly as you see here, brown and crunchy. This was after my spouse and I had already raked a good portion of the yard into huge piles.

This jacket is a crop length and has a beautiful metallic sheen. I am excited to see how many different ways this can be styled, both casual and dressy. Since this is about my regular way of dressing I paired it with a blush and camo knit top, a pair of Rock & Republic jeans and my SO olive booties.

Do you like moto jackets? Do you have any in your closet? I think everyone, should have at least one. They can be a very versatile piece and are perfect for the cooler weather of fall.

I hope you enjoyed this post and reading more about extraordinary me. Ha, ha.

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

Saturday linking up with Rena of It’s All Fine. Whatever…

Fall Collaboration with Ethyl Clothing

I was recently contacted by a clothing retailer named Ethyl Clothing. Ethyl Clothing has been around for over 30 years. Based out of Seattle, Washington, founders and designers, Alan and Kathy Schulz, continue to be actively involved in bringing their quality products to over 3000 boutiques across the country. They now have an online store, which makes shopping their classic clothing pieces even easier.

When I went to their website, I was pleased to see models that look like average sized women. In other words, these women look like me. That alone, intrigued me. While I was informed that Ethyl clothing originally was geared to the younger woman, their clothing line has developed over the years to encompass and cater to the “baby-boomer” generation. These are women like me, who are busy and enjoy clothing that looks nice, but feels soft and comfortable with some amount of stretch and give.

When I received my pieces, I was not disappointed. Because these are vanity sized, I was told to size down from what I would normally wear. Sizes run from XS to XXXL on most. For both the tunic sweater and the jacket I chose a medium. For the jeans I went with a size 10, where I normally wear a size 12. Everything fit exactly as it should.

Each of the following pieces was gifted to me. No money was exchanged and all opinions are my own. After a short description of each piece, I will give it a review by listing positive and/or negative points, along with suggestions for wearing.

Like many smaller clothing retailers today, Ethyl Clothing names each of their pieces. Let me introduce you.

1. The Anne 2 - Kenzi

The Kenzi boasts a long, gracious tunic silhouette, a comfortable cowl neckline and roomy, pleated front pockets that add interest and texture.

Positive Points - flattering silhouette, silky material drapes well and holds its shape, roomy - doesn’t bind or pinch.

Negative Points - sleeves are a bit long. For me this is not an issue, but if you have short arms you may need to have them altered or roll them up.

Style suggestions: Wear with skinny jeans or leggings; pair with various jackets either long or short; wear with a skirt, either tucked, belted or just left long; slip on over a dress that will show a little at the bottom.

2. The Jaqueline Flair Jean - Abigail

These boot cut, dark wash jeans are made of a medium weight denim woven from a poly-cotton blend with a dash of rayon and spandex for stretch, comfort and ease of wear.

Positive points - good stretch, not too heavy, hold their shape, dark wash, figure flattering.

Negative points - very long, narrow through the thighs. If you have heavier legs or short legs I would suggest trying their pants with the shorter inseam. The Abigail only comes in the longer (31”to 34”) inseam.

Style Suggestions: Boot cut jeans always look good with heeled boots, but these would also dress up well with a pair of heels. They fall just below the natural waist so could be easily paired with shorter tops and sweaters.

3. The Margot - Blake

The Blake is meant to be a style piece not an actual jacket. A medium weight cotton-poly blend with spandex this black denim jacket is the perfect add on piece to take any outfit up a notch. The bling detail on the lapels and the frayed hems, give it a vibe that says both edgy and party ready. The non-closure, open front allows you to show off, not only the jacket, but a statement piece underneath.

Positive points - easy on and off, no buttons or zippers to snag sweaters or scarves, plenty of stretch, longer length for better back side coverage.

Negative points - this is less a negative than it is a personal opinion. When I first received this jacket I did not like the way it fit and after working with the rep from the company was sent a large to try on. The piece is designed to not come together in the front, which to me seemed odd, but this is the way the designers intended the jacket to be. It was created this way to allow exposure of the top you are wearing underneath. After having the two sizes to try on I ended up sending the large back. It really was too big. Now that I’ve seen the two sizes and have a better understanding of what the piece is intended to do, I like it. I am looking forward to wearing it with other outfits to see its full potential as a fun add on piece, almost more like an accessory.

Style suggestions: This would look great with a shift dress, pencil skirt or skinny pants. It will also allow for many different top choices including tunics and vests. The Blake will also allow your fun scarves and statement necklaces to still take center stage while providing a backdrop of bling, warmth and fun.

My overall opinion of Ethyl Clothing is that it is a woman friendly retailer with a strong classic, casual line structured for comfort and ease of wear. While they are not offering a discount through my site, if you spend over $100 you get free shipping. The pieces you order also come with free return labels, so that if you are not completely satisfied you can return your purchases for a full refund.

I hope you enjoyed this look at Ethyl Clothing. Head on over to their site and take a few minutes to shop. Just click on the link, Ethyl Clothing.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Texture Talk - Part 2 - Embellishments and Fabrics

Last week I took a look at how adding texture to our outfits can change and elevate our same old, same old looks, to a new level. Texture is all around us in nature and in the homes we live in. Take a look at your living room or bedroom. There is texture on the couch in the form of upholstery, pillows, and throw blankets. Your bed probably has a thick cushy comforter or mattress pad that adds comfort for a better night's sleep. We fill our homes with pictures, decorations and nick nacks to add depth and interest to the environment we live in. Why would we not do the same thing to our outfits?

Last week I looked specifically at adding texture in the form of our accessories, such as bags, shoes, jewelry and scarves. You can see that post here. This week I want to look at fabrics and embellishments and what choices there are to add texture in this regard. 

Embellishments:

This would include anything added to a clothing piece that gives it texture that is not specifically fabric related. Fabrics like lace could be an embellishment, but I am going to leave that for the fabrics section. 

Things like beads, jewels, sequins, fringe and special buttons, are all embellishments. Certain types of stitching, like the embroidery above, as well as things like gathering or ruching also add texture to an outfit. 

Fabrics:

Lace

I love lace and I think it can add an element of elegance to any outfit. It obviously adds beautiful texture when it is worn. Combining lace with leather or lace with some other embellishment makes for an even more interesting outfit. 

Knits

My pictures all revolve around open weave knits. Things like crochet or knitted pieces are great for boosting the texture factor. However, even regular knits made in a factory add dimension to a look, especially if they are ribbed or manufactured in a way that builds texture. You'll see an example of ribbed knits a little further below. 

Fabrics made with special textures:

Pleats

Quilting

Ribbing

Texture is a wonderful thing to add to our outfits. As you begin thinking about fall in particular you will be naturally reaching for things like cozy knit sweaters and fun boots. Coats and jackets will also add an element of texture to your outfit. 

I am going to stretch this into one more post, because I think there is one more area of texture we need to discuss. Look for another post next Thursday. Until then, have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

 

Is it a Kimono or a Ruana? Week 6

This is my final installment in this series on kimonos and ruanas. If you have been following along you know there is a difference between these two pieces, but often the way a piece is put together, makes it more of a hybrid, or something I call a "kiana". A piece like this has both the longer front drape of a ruana, but also the more formed sleeves of a kimono. Today's piece is a kimono and this one is a heavier piece that will take me well into fall. I found this cute little number at a Bealls store in Florida last December, when our whole family spent a few days together in the St. Petersburg area. It was cold, so shopping was a fun alternative to the beach for my daughters and I. 

I decided to pull my outfit colors from the flower embroidered on the front left of the kimono, thus the red and olive green. Here is a picture of the outfit without the kimono.

This olive top is thrifted and Chico's brand. The crop pants are from the Meijer clearance racks and is a brand called Stitch Star. 

Once in a while things get rather interesting when my daughter is taking my pictures. I think she gets bored so she was making rather suggestive comments about the flower on my chest, which elicited this response from me. Of course she had to get it all on camera!

Anyway, you can see the floral embellishment includes the deeper red like my pants and a lighter pink. I just got a pair of distressed pink jeans from H&M and I think they will look nice with this kimono. There is also just a hint of green in the leaves, thus my olive green top. The marled black knit of the kimono is a nice alternative to an all black look. 

i went for brassy gold in my accessories and grabbed my small heart embellished black clutch and black strap block heeled sandals to complete the look. 

Aren't the snaps on these pants a fun addition. I am looking forward to styling these pants more different ways this fall. 

Here is a back view, showing you the hi-low hem line of the kimono. 

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think the red pants are too bold? Would you where bright colored pants? Do you own a kimono? How do you like to where yours? I'd love to hear you thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments section below. If you are not sure how to comment, just read the instructions below. 

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Have a great day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

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Is it a Kimono or a Ruana? Week 5

I have two installments left in this series on kimonos and ruanas. I have found that adding a couple of these pieces to your closet will give you miles of extra wear on things that you might consider more plain or mundane. The kimono or ruana is a piece that can stand alone, meaning it doesn't need much help to make an outfit look fabulous. For most of these I have worn the kimono/ruana over an outfit built from simple pieces like a skirt and a tank, pants and a tank, etc. The over piece is what takes center stage, which it should. 

Today's look is a different sort of kimono/ruana. Once again, I am going to call this one a "kiana" because it takes the long drape of the ruana, but makes it more kimono like by sewing the sides together to create a sleeve of sorts. When I first got this open weave piece, it was only sewn at the sides by a few stitches. I liked the way it stayed in place, but soon the stitching came undone and I noticed it was harder to keep the piece from slipping off, so I sewed the sides back together. 

I decided with this open weave look, I could focus more on the entire outfit standing out, thus the tropical print pants and graphic tee. I got these fun pants at H&M on the clearance rack. I don't wear this loud of a print too often, but I loved the fit and thought it was time, once again, to climb out of my comfort box. 

At first, I tried this on with a number of tank tops, including white and a light blue, but nothing seemed right. It was then I remembered, I had this thrifted tee and the greens matched perfectly. 

I chose the pink accessories to pull out the little bit of pink in the pants. Yes, my necklace is wrapped over my boob! Sometimes, I forget to make sure everything is positioned just perfectly. Ha, ha. Oh well, just keeping it real!

Just a few words about this shirt. If you follow my Instagram feed, then you have seen this before and I said a similar thing then that I am going to say now. It is often hard to see beauty in tragedy. How do we see beauty in school shootings, wild fires, volcanoes, mud slides and things like disease and addictions? The point is not that those things themselves contain the beauty, but that there can be beauty, even amid those difficulties. Communities coming together to help families of victims, amazing fire fighters who risk their lives saving others, and people who come out stronger than ever going through loss and heartache are all beautiful. 

There is a verse in the Bible, which says,

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
— Romans 8:28 (NASB)

I'm not going to preach to you, because this is a fashion post, but I truly believe this. Gratitude plays a huge part in seeing beauty and in bringing healing when we have gone through difficulties. Finding, even the smallest things to be thankful for, is the first step to realizing exactly what this tee represents. I'll step off my soap box now. Ha, ha.

Here is a back view of the "kiana".

Besides the open weave allowing your outfit to take center stage, rather than the kimono, it also allows air to get through. I have found many kimonos are make of polyester, poly blends, viscose or silk and actually can make you feel more hot and sticky. That's perfect when you are in an overly air conditioned building, but not if you are walking at the fair or an outdoor summer festival. An open weave outer piece is a great option for the waning days of summer. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. What do you think of this outfit? I'd love to hear your comments on how you style a kimono or a ruana in the comments sections below. 

I've included a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links which means if you click on a link I get a few pennies. If you purchase something through my site, I might get a little commission. I appreciate all the clicks you can give, but even more I appreciate hearing from you. 

Have a great day everyone!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Is It a Kimono or a Ruana? Week 4

Here I am, once again, taking a look at kimonos versus ruanas. Both of these over pieces are excellent additions to your wardrobe. They help spruce up a more plain outfit and add a lovely, interesting, layer to a work outfit or a date night look. The lighter layers not only add interest, but a little extra warmth for those overly air conditioned offices and restaurants. If you didn't see my previous three posts you can look at those by clicking on the link. Week 1, Week 2 and Week 3. Week 2 gives a good overview of the difference between the kimono and the ruana, if you were wondering.

This week's post centers around a hybrid piece that I am going to call a "kiana", as I feel it has both the cut and fit of a ruana, but the essence of the kimono. This is another online purchase from Christopher and Banks that I got for a good deal. 

For this outfit, I wore a pair of Sonoma olive trousers, a cream colored St. John's Bay tank, and my blue SO flats. 

I am calling this a "kiana" because it is shaped like a ruana, but is sewn on the sides, creating the illusion of sleeves, thus the kimono. Once again, you can see that the outfit by itself is rather plain, but adding this sheer over piece makes the outfit really pop.

I received this fun textured clutch for Christmas from my younger daughter a few years ago. I love the color and the texture. Texture is another way to add interest to an outfit. Think about adding texture in the form of a jacket, a scarf or a bag like this one. Jewelry can also be a way to add more texture. Think pendant necklaces with fringe or even a beaded bracelet like this one I am wearing that I found in a clearance basket at Chicos

Here is another look at the entire outfit. 

What do you think of this piece? Do you think calling it a "kiana" is a good name? What are some ways you style your kimonos or ruanas? What are some ways you add texture to your outfits? I'd love to hear your feedback in the comments section below. 

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

Have a wonderful day. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen

Instagram Review

I am going to be out of town visiting my mom for her 92nd birthday, so for today's post, I thought I would forego my usual Outfit Inspiration post and just show you some of the outfits from my Instagram feed. Now that I have a smart phone, and have been taught how to post pics and so on, I am enjoying the ease of throwing on an outfit and quickly posting it to IG. The thing I like about Insta is that it allows you to see a more realistic view of how I dress. 

The outfits I post on my blog, are ones that I would wear, given the opportunity, but often real life gets in the way and I find it easier to just throw on a pair of skinny jeans and a pretty top in order to chase my grandson around, go grocery shopping, do laundry and so on. The following are just a few of those everyday outfits that I frequently reach for. 

Plaid Dress with Skinnies

Striped Tee with Embroidered Chinos

Yellow Ankle Pants with Multi-print Tee

Eyelet Top with Skinnies

White Ankle Pants with Floral Kimono

Distressed Crop Jeans with Multi-print Top

These are just a few of the outfits you'll see in my Instagram feed. Do you like this post? Do you follow me on Instagram? I'm still a work in progress and I appreciate all of you who have subscribed to my blog. If you read my posts, but haven't subscribed just fill in the info in the subsciption box and I'll put you on my email list. I only email once a week, because I know how full our in boxes can get. You can follow me on Instagram and I am also working on putting more things on my Pinterest boards so check those out as well. 

Have a great weekend!