Winter Trends - My Take on Puffer Outerwear

Once again we are overrun with puffer outerwear. Puffers vests, and coats are all the rage this winter and the reasons probably include the colors, styles, warmth, and price points. You can find reasonably priced puffers at almost any department store. With the end of season sales soon upon us, be sure to shop your local faves, in store, or online, to get what you are looking for. I had a few things to return to Kohl’s earlier and since my hubby gave me a gift card for Christmas, I did a little shopping. The junior’s department had the cutest puffer jackets and I really wanted to scoop one up, but I don’t really need another coat. Ha, ha. I ended up with a pretty pinstriped orange blazer, a pair of floral pants/joggers for spring, a cute sweatshirt and a scarf. I still need to try everything on, since the fitting rooms are still closed, but if the pieces fit, you will be seeing them eventually on the blog.

I’ve styled this neutral puffer vest on the blog before. You can see it with an olive tee and jeans. I have had it for a number of years. It is a brand called StyleWorks Sport. I honestly cannot remember who used to sell this brand. It might have been Sears, but I don’t recall.

I decided I liked the combination of gray with this more neutral tan, so I added my thrifted, striped, thermal, Sonoma long sleeve tee. That is a long description for this one piece of clothing, but that tells you everything about it. Being thermal, it is a heavier weight so a warmer layer for the colder weather.

My jeans are my well worn Rock & Republic jeans from Kohl’s. Do you have a favorite brand of jeans you like to wear? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

To add a little fun to the outfit, I added both a longer pendant necklace and my faux fur leopard print infinity scarf. This is a thrifted piece I love to wear, because it is so warm and soft.

My thrifted boots are by Guess. One of the drawbacks of buying boots and shoes that aren’t make with real leather, is that they often wear out quickly. When I got these about two years ago, they looks brand new, but now they are already showing signs of wear. Still, I like them and will keep wearing them with a distressed look. Ha, ha.

This bag was a Christmas gift from my daughter. I love the expensive bag look. It is a little heavy, but holds all my junk in a more organized fashion and I can carry by the top handles or as a cross body bag. The brand is Aidebam and can be found on Amazon.

How many of you have some sort of puffer outerwear; either a vest, coat or jacket? I have a few items that are quilted and not true puffer pieces and I’ll show you that next week. I hope you liked this post. Let me know your thoughts in the comments. As always, I love to hear from you!

I’m including a few links for puffer jackets and vests, so if you are looking for something take a few minutes to check out the links. These links are presented at no cost to you. They are affiliate links, so if you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my link I get a few more pennies. Thanks for supporting me and my little blog.

Have a great weekend.

Thrifted Thursday - Neal's Ugly Sweater - The Santa Claus

I don’t know how many of you have seen Tim Allen’s The Santa Claus, or any of its consecutive sequels, but it is a fun, family friendly movie (it has a little bit of swearing), that I love to watch every year. In the movie, Tim Allen plays Scott Calvin, (note the initials) a divorced dad who, believe it or not, works as an executive for a toy company. His son Charlie, visits on weekends and for the predetermined holidays. This year, Charlie gets to spend Christmas Eve with his dad, much to his chagrin. Scott doesn’t make a huge effort as a single dad to make things enjoyable for his son, from his lame attempt at cooking a turkey dinner, which he ends up having to put out with a fire extinguisher, to a last ditch attempt to feed Charlie at a Denny’s (along with a number of single dads with their kids).

When it is time for bed, Tim reads the classic tale, T’was the Night Before Christmas, and it is not long after that we witness Santa falling from Tim’s roof and the comedic tale of how Scott Calvin, toy executive, becomes Santa Clause, complete with reindeer, weight gain and elves at the North Pole.

The inspiration for today’s outfit comes from Scott’s nemesis, Neal, who is the new husband of his ex-wife. Neal is a psychologist, and throughout the movie we see him trying to explain away the things that Charlie saw on their quick trip to the North Pole and Scott’s changing demeanor and physique. Neal, played by Judge Reinhold, is a typical 90’s professional trying to look classy in his crazy patterned sweaters and khaki pants. Here are two scenes from the movie, just to show you a couple of Neal’s sweaters.

The funny thing was, when I got this idea, and started looking for these types of sweaters, I found one almost exactly like the top one, but it was way to big. As you can see, I ended up with a striped version, that while, not quite as crazy as Neal’s still qualifies, for a 90’s casual professional look.

This men’s Mercer Street Studio sweater, which I found at a local thrift shop a few weeks ago is obviously a large size, but because it is so comfy and cozy, I knew I would be able to use it for just hanging out on a casual day.

You’ve seen this thrifted, Worthington, faux leather skirt on the blog before. You can see how I styled it with a long vest, a yellow sweater, a lace top, a floral top, and a gray tunic sweater. I tried several other pieces with this sweater, but in the end opted for the more streamlined silhouette. I thought, if I were a psychologist and had my own office, this might be something I would wear.

Because the sweater is busy enough, I kept my accessories simple. My silver pendant looks similar to a Celtic knot. This was another thrifted piece.

I found this Scarleton bag at the thrift store as well. I didn’t really have a solid black bag, so when I saw this one, I grabbed it. A black bag is always a classic and easy choice for make an outfit look more dressed up and professional.

My black, buckle, Nine West loafers were also a thrift store find. You just can’t beat a second hand store for all sorts of fashion treasures. Again, I used my heavier weight black tights to keep my legs cozy and produce a sleeker line.

What do you think of this outfit? Have you watched, The Santa Clause? What is your favorite Christmas movie?

I appreciate every one of you who subscribe and regularly follow my blog. I know I am not always the most consistent blogger, but I do this as a hobby and don’t make a living at it. I want to bring content to you that you will find interesting without lots of adds or pressure to buy things. Christmas is a busy time and if you are like me, you already have a list of presents to buy. The links I offer you are merely possible ideas to get a similar looks to my own, but I am happy if most of you are finding your pieces at thrift stores. It really helps, not only our own pocket books, but our planet as well. Repurpose and reuse.

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfits - Maxi Skirt and Pullover Sweater - Casual

To mix it up a little bit, I decided this week I would show you two outfits using a floral maxi skirt and a pullover sweater. I love maxi skirts, and I have a number in my closet, as you probably realize by now, because I am always styling them on the blog. When I was working, I would wear them every so often, but with being home, I don’t usually reach for a skirt. It is hard to clean and go up and down the stairs to do laundry if you are wearing a long skirt. However, I still like to show you options for styling a skirt, long or short. Today’s look revolves around two thrifted pieces.

For some reason I fell in love with this thrifted tiered maxi skirt the moment I saw it. Not only could I see the possibilities for spring and summer, but I thought it would be a wonderful piece for fall and winter. It is extremely sheer, and even though it has a lining, the lining is also sheer, so I do have to wear a slip under it. I imagined it with a dark sweater and ankle boots, so that is exactly what I did for this outfit. The floral pattern makes be think of greenery and berries for Christmas, but the gold speaks to the colors of fall, so why not wear it for Thanksgiving Day?

This thrifted olive sweater is the brand DIVIDED from H & M. It is simple, but soft and warm and I like that it is a little shorter than most of my other sweaters. Once in a while, you just need a different silhouette.

I also added this beautiful scarf with a watercolor type print. I used this scarf for my Color Play post on Seeing Red, last spring. You can see that post here. I thought the scarf went quite well with the floral pattern in the skirt as both of them have a similar color scheme. This is one way to print mix without getting too worried about whether the prints will clash. The prints are far enough from each other, but compliment each other with their similar hues.

Once again, I reached for my thrifted, leather, Fossil crossbody bag. It just goes with so many things and has held up so well. I just need to find a smaller wallet to use in it. Maybe I should add that to my Christmas list. Ha, ha.

My faithful, olive, SO ankle boots are making another appearance. I have no regrets for purchasing several pairs of these in various colors. They are on repeat in my wardrobe all fall and winter long.

The beauty of this outfit is in its simplicity and comfort. There are no zippers or buttons. The elastic waist on the skirt allows for plenty of Thanksgiving feasting comfort. The length of the skirt means you can go without hose or tights, but if you want an extra layer of warm you can add leggings or sweater tights to raise the cozy factor.

Is this an outfit you would wear on Thanksgiving Day? Have you ever created an outfit using the colors in a skirt? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or two.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. I know this week is one of the biggest shopping weeks of the year and with the pandemic situation many of us will be doing most of our shopping on line, so make sure you shop early to ensure your gifts get where they need to go on time.

Have a great week everyone!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfits - Harvest Tee and Distressed Jeans - Dressy

Yesterday was my eldest’s birthday. She ordered us lunch, which I picked up and took to her house, then after we ate, we went shopping. I have to say, I felt almost like life was normal for a few hours. We had fun and I enjoyed my time with her. I have always tried to take my girls shopping on their birthdays since they were fairly young. I used to take both girls and we would get lunch together, but then the gift buying would be for the birthday girl, although I would usually end up buying the other girl a little something too. Life is so busy and with the Covid complications it is hard to find time for those moments.

Today’s look is the dressed up version of my distressed jeans and harvest tee. I only made a few changes to elevate the look. I switched out my cozy sweater for a long burgundy blazer. I also donned a pair of heeled boots and grabbed a snazzier bag.

This burgundy blazer is a thrifted Pendleton piece. I have, on several occasions thought to get rid of it, but it is such a classic, tailored piece that I keep hanging on to it, and this is precisely why. I love the way it looks with jeans. Obviously, it would also look good with a pencil skirt or more dressy trousers. The structured collar, more fitted waist, pocket flaps and detailed buttons really make this a class act.

I kept the same necklace, but added a couple gold bangle bracelets and a gold belt to go with the gold on the tee.

This thrifted, no name bag has such cute details. From the faux alligator print to the fun clasp and more structured shape, I knew I had to snatch it up. Just don’t tell my hubby! Ha, ha. He thinks I have too many sweaters, bags and shoes. Ha, ha. Why would he possibly think that?

These boots were also a thrift store find. They are Life Stride brand and I really like the brownish, burgundy color. It makes them unique from the typical black, brown or gray colors of many of my boots.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think the changes I made elevates the look or do you think because of the distressed jeans, it still looks ultra casual? I would love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or two.

Here are the two outfits side by side. Which one do you like better?

Can you believe a week from today is Thanksgiving? I will confess, I have started listening to Christmas music. I just need that little bit of happy in my day to day life right now. I haven’t started decorating, but I hope to get to that soon.

I am leaving a few shopping links. Be sure to check those out. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a good evening everyone.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Color Play - More Fall Mixing

My daughter has come into her very busy season and has numerous editing projects on her plate from all sorts of clients, so my Pantone - Autumn/Winter - London Palette series is going to be delayed for a little bit. In the mean time I am falling back to my Thursday columns, so today’s is based on, of all things, fall colors. You just aren’t going to get away from my obsession with color. Ha, ha.

Today’s outfits are centered around a thrifted Christopher and Banks jacket. I absolutely love the muted frenzy of colors and I knew it would be something I could wear repeatedly throughout fall, winter and spring. This is the back of the jacket. It is shaped and feels somewhat like a denim jacket, though the material seems a little less stiff. I paired the jacket with a rusty colored long sleeve tee that I got last year at Maurices. I am going to show you three ways these two pieces can be styled for different looks.

Look 1 - With Jeans

This first look was what I wore on the day I took these pictures. This is a simple look with my Rock & Republic jeans that I have had for years. I added my Sonoma faux suede boots to keep the fall color scheme intact, then I added my purple agate pendant necklace and a purply blue gingham scarf. The last piece to add was the thrifted olive hobo bag. I love the little ruffle on the sleeve hem on the tee. The sleeves on this jacket were the perfect length to let the sleeves stick out.

Look 2 - With White Jeans

For this look I swapped out the regular jeans fro my white Gloria Vanderbilt pair. I also removed the scarf, put on a different necklace and changed the bag and boots. White all year round is simple the rage, and that is one trend I am willing to put up with. These jeans are especially suited to the cooler weather, because they are a heavier weight. They also have a wider leg, so it is easier to get taller boots under them.

These brown ankle boots are a new pair I ordered from Kohl’s. I just love my suede and faux suede ankle boots and wear them all the time. I decided to add this dark brown Nine West pair to my collection because they were on sale and I had a coupon. To go with the boots I chose my thrifted bronzy colored shoulder bag.

Look 3 - Green Skirt

In the final look I chose my thrifted Old Navy tiered skirt, which I have styled numerous other times on the blog. I also added a pale yellow gingham scarf that I bought from the Jacket Society three years ago. Nora always has such unique and beautiful pieces. Be sure to check out the scarves and wraps here. I swapped out my bronze bag for this purple Nicole bag with gold chain handle accents, and my ankle boots for these thrifted mid-calf leather heeled boots. You can see I also added a woven belt that goes with the boots, just for some fun added texture and contrast.

Here are all three outfits side by side. Which one do you like best? Do you have a colorful jacket that you were thinking of getting rid of because you never wear it? How about trying some of these ideas and making your wardrobe work for you?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know your thoughts on these outfits. Tomorrow I will have a new Faith post on the blog, so be sure to stop by and check that out.

Have a great day!

I’ve included a few shopping links for printed jackets. These are affiliate links. It does not cost you anything to click on a link to shop, but it might pay me a few cents. Enjoy!

Actual Amy - Layering Up

As most of you know, I love layers. Layering in these transitional times, from summer to fall, and fall to winter, gives us the ability to create outfits with even more interest and texture. Easy layering pieces include cardigans, blazers, jackets and scarves. These can all add a fun change to your wardrobe and give you layers to put on or take off as needed with the changing temperatures. We are expecting a warm spell these next few days, followed by falling temps for the beginning of October.

In today’s outfit, the focal point is a recent clearance find from Target. This A New Day striped blazer was uniquely different from my other blazers and jackets being that it is striped, so I knew I had to have it.

It was a chillier day when I took these pictures, so I already had the fall colored knit top and rust colored cardigan on in the house. We are hoping to make it until October before we turn on the heat. Ha, ha.

My knit, short sleeve multi-print top is a thrifted Loft piece. The rust colored cardigan is Croft & Barrow brand. There is some subtle print mixing going on here with the multi-print tee and the stripes on the blazer. This is one way to print mix without it being overwhelming. The solid color cardigan provides a border between the two prints, but you still see the mix.

These are my favorite thrifted jeans. This is an older brand called Kikit, which are only available from thrift retailers like Poshmark and Thredup. You can see how I styled these on the blog before with a leopard print blazer.

Less is more, when it comes to accessories for an outfit like this. This hand made pendent necklace is a simple piece, but makes just the right statement.

You’ve seen this pretty bag just recently on the blog when I used it with a fall colored fringe kimono.

I chose my black faux suede ankle boots. These are Natural Reflections which are a brand Cabela’s carries. My hubby and I go there every so often and usually pass through the shoe department to see what’s on sale. i really love the buckle detailing on these and I use them a lot throughout the cooler seasons.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you wear lots of layers when it gets cooler? How do you like to put your layers together? I love hearing your thoughts so be sure to leave a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links, so be sure to stop by. Every time you click on a link I get a few cents. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone. If you follow my faith posts be sure to stop by tomorrow to see the latest.

Color Play - Fall Color Mix

What better time to play with color than in the fall? I love the bright hues of red, orange and gold, as well as the moodier tones of burgundy, brown and forest green. I have found many Pinterest pins on fall color combos, so drew some of my inspiration from those. The pieces I chose are perfect for this in between time where the days can still be warm but the mornings and evenings cool. Today, took a turn towards the cooler side and I am typing this post with a cup of hot cocoa at my side. I need the milk for calcium, but thought this morning I would add a little chocolate and pop it in the microwave. Yum!

When I started looking for my Warm Spice colors, I knew I wanted to used my burgundy SO sweater, which was a Kohl’s purchase last year. I have another one just like this in a light pink, which you will see on the Pantone series coming up. I also got two sizes. This one is a large and the light pink is an extra large. I liked the way each fit for different reasons, so I got both. Ha, ha. You can see the side detailing below.

Yellow was the next color in the Pinterest Warm Spice Pin, so I chose a thrifted short sleeve Sonoma tee with a small white pattern.

I also, knew I wanted this to be a cozy, casual look so opted for my Rock & Republic straight leg jeans.

The third color is orange. I wasn’t sure, at first, how I was going to pull that off, and then I saw this infinity scarf hanging in my closet. This was another thrift store find. I love getting scarves, bags and jewelry at thrift stores, because there are so many different choices and you can’t be the prices. I absolutely love athe fall vibe of this piece. It contains all those colors I think of when I think of fall and the pattern is reminiscent of the 1970’s. You can see I did a bit of print mixing as well.

With the mix of orange in the scarf, I thought it would be fun to add another pop of orange away from my face with the addition of this thrifted orange suede bag. It may be small, but this little number packs a powerful color punch.

It seemed the natural choice to also reach for my Spirit faux suede ankle boots, to balance out the whole look. I love all of my boots, but especially enjoy wearing these ankle boots in the late summer and early fall. Only 5 days until the first day of fall. Whoo, hoo. I have already noticed Halloween decorations in yards and Christmas items in the stores. Eye, yie, yie.

The only jewelry I added was a fun charm bracelet with a bit of fall color.

What did you think of this outfit? Would you wear these colors together?

I hope you are having a good week. I have been busy. My grandson’s 10th birthday was Tuesday. He was supposed to have a small friend party, but one of the boys got sick and with our #covidlife as it is currently we had to cancel. We hope to reschedule for a future date. My husband and I went over and I made a cake and he got to open some presents. This weekend, we are going out to Maumee Bay State Park for one night at the lodge as a part of the birthday celebration. Quintin’s mom and he will go with us and our other daughter and her hubby will join us for dinner. We find ways to make life work, even in our current circumstances.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I hope to get my faith post up tomorrow, so be sure to check back for that. Have a great weekend!

Thrifted Thursday - Dots and Stripes

Today’s outfit is another one pulled together from my many thrifted pieces. I wanted something casual that wasn’t the same old outfit formula that I have been wearing all summer, which has been skinny jeans or ankle pants rolled up with some sort of warm weather top, whether a sleeveless button up or a light weight tee. I knew I wanted to still wear pants, since I still have to watch my grandson and I never know what I’ll be doing, but I wanted something different. I remembered these salmon colored polka dot pants and knew I had the start of my casual thrifted outfit.

I have several pairs of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans. I am not a huge fan, although I have worn them on and off through out the years. Don’t get me wrong, they are very comfortable and if you want a fairly high waisted jean, most of hers fit the bill. I like my jeans to fit a little tighter. I also like either a skinny jean or a wider bootcut jean. That gives me the notion that I need to do a post on jeans. Ha, ha. So many things to blog about and so little time.

I decided to try a blue top with my bright jeans, for a fun contrast. I tried several solid colored navy shirts, but when I saw this thrifted striped tee, I thought it would be fun to do a little print mixing. This is a comfy tee and is a brand called Cotton On. Some people only buy certain brands and that is fine, but one of the many things I like about thrifting is I get to try so many brands that I would have never heard of otherwise. Cotton On has a whole website with all sorts of pieces for men, women and children, from sweats and tees, to jeans and button ups. Their price points don’t seem too bad and I do like the quality of this tee, so they might be worth checking out. My tee is a Large for reference.

Since we are thinking ahead to fall with cooler mornings and evenings, I thought it would be appropriate to show this outfit with a layering piece. This Dalia Collection button up is another thrift store find. I like the dark wash and it has a soft feel.

You can see that I added a navy belt to my pants. The reason I did this is three fold. First, I almost always wear a belt. That is just me. The second reason has to do with the print mix. Since the prints on both of these pieces are so small, a dividing line is not really necessary, but sometimes a belt provides a border between the two prints, making it more pleasing to look at. The third reason has to do with interest. The belt is wide, bold and has texture; all things that add to the interest of an outfit. I did the front tuck, to make the belt visible.

This is the last thrifted piece in my outfit. I just found this glass pendant necklace at a local charity shop. I thought it was a very unique piece and will go with just about any outfit.

I wanted to make this outfit look more like fall, thus my choice of bag. I think velvet is the perfect touch for an outfit that is transitioning from summer to fall. It adds texture and an element of warmth to any outfit. This was not thrifted, but a Meijer clearance find from a few seasons ago.

My white Keds are a frequent choice during the summer. I know there is not longer a “wearing white” rule, but I do prefer to put away my white shoes in the winter, mostly because I have way too many cute boots to wear that keep my feet a lot warmer. These were also not a thrift find. I think I got these at DSW on clearance.

What do you think of this outfit? How do you make the transition to fall while still using some of your summer pieces? Leave me some love in the comments. I always like to hear you thoughts.

I am leaving you with a few shopping links. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. Every click helps. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Actual Amy - Tiered Navy Skirt

Today’s Thursday column revolves around outfits I would be likely to wear. What I would like to do with this column is give you some explanation behind my outfit choices. Not only does this help me to be more thoughtful about what pieces I am putting together, but it also helps you as you think about the pieces that are in your closet.

Today’s look is what I would call dressy casual. What makes an outfit fit this description? I believe it is a combination of what types of pieces are worn and how they are accessorized. While we don’t usually think of something like sweat pants or torn jeans as being dressy, there are certainly ways we can make them looked more dressed up.

With this outfit, I think the tiered skirt, the button up and the tee could all be dressed up or down. Pair the skirt with heels, a silk blouse and a blingy bag and you’d be ready for a show. Layer the tee under a blazer, with nice dress pants and heels and you’d be ready for the office. The button up could be worn with a cashmere sweater in the cooler weather, with nice skinny jeans and boots and it could be date night. I have learned to try not to divide my wardrobe into casual or dressy. I believe there are all manner of levels of casual, dressy casual and dressy between the stay at home in your jammies look and the heading to the Oscars look.

I just recently found this pretty, navy blue, Chaps tiered skirt, while thrifting. I really am a sucker for tiered skirts. Why is this me? Part of it is, I like to cover my legs, due to my veins, but I have liked the prairie skirt idea ever since I can remember. I always thought the long dresses of days gone by were so unique and different, whether plain, like the women living on the frontier or the frilly, decorative dresses of the nobility. I am also a bit of a boho girl, and to me a prairie skirt just seems to have a certain hippy quality about it.

There is definitely something fishy about this JC Penney button up from a few years ago. Though this top is not silk it has a certain soft, silky quality to it. I chose this top, because I decided I wanted to go for a more monochrome look. There is just something classy and slimming about an outfit with one main color scheme.

My white, v-neck tee underneath is Time & Tru brand from Walmart. Walmart, Target and Kohl’s are great stores to get basics like short sleeve and long sleeve tees.

Rather than tucking the top in and adding a belt, which would have made the outfit more polished, I chose to tie the tails at the waist. Just that simple choice of tying, rather than tucking, can make an outfit more casual or dressy.

My accessories were chosen to finish off the casual look, yet I felt they kept the outfit elevated enough to be something I could wear to an outdoor concert or dinner with friends, especially if walking was involved. I got this great Stone Mountain cross body bag at a thrift store. It is real leather and looks hardly used. I thought it was a fun pop of color and goes with the color of some of the beads in the necklace. Once again, my white Keds sneakers are making an appearance. Adding sneakers to a dress or skirt is an easy way to make the look more casual and right now this is very trendy and also better for your feet, knees, hips and back if you have to do much walking or standing during the day.

I don’t have much opportunity to wear heels any more, though I do put them on with outfits for the blog, because I know many women still wear their heels. That is why I have so many different sneaker type shoes. It’s just what I wear.

What do you think of this outfit? I am including a few shopping links, for you to look over. Remember every link you click on gives me a few pennies. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone. Stay safe, stay healthy and stay sane.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Kickin' It with Kimonos - Multi-colored Floral

As you have figured out by now, I have a number of kimonos. The one thing they seem to have in common is they all have prints. Kimonos really are more of an accessory to an outfit, as opposed to a cardigan or blazer, which serve, not only to pull an outfit together, but as a layer of warmth in the cooler weather. Most kimonos and ruanas are very light weight and are meant to be used much as you would use a statement necklace or scarf. They are meant to make your outfit more fun and noticeable.

This next kimono I am going to show you is a LuLaRoe piece and once again adds an element of flirty and feminine to an otherwise casual, tomboyish outfit.

I got this thrifted Nike tee on a recent thrift run. I usually don’t buy brand tees like this. I have no affinity for sports wear branding. I am sure if I were more into sports, then I might feel differently. However, I have always thought that Nike’s slogan, “Just do it,” was something we all could identify with. I mean which one of us hasn’t wished we could do better, be better, eat better, exercise more and so on. Typically I don’t like to go around with this type of slogan across my chest. Not because I am worried about people looking at my chest. I highly doubt a tee shirt like this is going to invoke a drool worthy response from a man. Ha, ha. My feeling is more along the lines that I don’t want to advertise something I have to live up to. Seriously! Yes, I want to be a writer: just do it! Yes, I want to eat better: just do it! Yes, I want to exercise more: just do it. I feel as though I am a walking billboard for a chorus of condemnation. Do any of y’all get what I am saying?

That being said, maybe I need to have these types of messages make an appearance more regularly, not only in my wardrobe, but in the things I read, watch and listen too. Maybe, if I added a bit more of this spice of encouragement to my life, I would be more likely to succeed at those aforementioned desires. What are your thoughts? How do you encourage yourself to do the things that are difficult? Especially when life is so busy and chaotic?

Let me also add in here I know my tee is extremely wrinkled. Ha, ha. I should have gotten it out further ahead of time and let it hang in the bathroom. My daughter keeps telling me I need to get a steamer. Maybe I’ll suggest that on my Christmas list.

This is our first grand puppy, Beatrice. We call her Bea, Sweet Bea, Sweetie Bea and an odd assortment of other endearing terms. She is a mastiff mix. My daughter actually sent in a sample for DNA testing to Embark, to see what breeds Beatrice has in her lineage. The main breed was Cane Corso, which is an Italian breed of mastiff, but she also has Dog de Bordeaux, which is a French breed of mastiff, Neapolitan, which is another Italian mastiff and Bull Mastiff, along with a few other odds and ends. We were trying to get her to turn around, but she wasn’t having anything to do with it.

My yellow, Talbots, crop pants are a thrift find. I have styled these on the blog before. You can see it with a white tee and light gray blazer, and with a pink button up and open weave vest,

This little yellow cross body bag is starting to show some wear, especially since it was second hand when I got it. Paying a little extra for real leather trim or a real leather bag is definitely worth it as they will last longer. I think this one is going to go in the donation box. I do like the color, but I am not lacking purses, so I’ll find a suitable substitute.

Even my cute beaded, fringe bracelet is showing some wear. I will either trim the tassel or just remove it entirely.

Here again are my Naya black suede oxfords. I really like these shoes and they are great for fall and winter.

You’ve got to have a few fun photos. In the second shot my daughter was trying to get me to show the asymmetrical line of the kimono, but my mind went towards Dracula’s cape. Ha, ha. Always the ham, I am!

What do you think of this outfit? Is this a little too outside the box? Do you stay away from writing on tees? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to leave a little love in the comments. I appreciate all your support.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’m including a few shopping links. Enjoy! These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Color Play - Bathroom Tiles

You might think by the title of my post, that I am going to talk about the tiles in my bathroom. That would not be very entertaining, as my downstairs bath has white tiles and the upstairs bath is in dire need of repair. I took a picture of these bathroom tiles at the public library nearby, as a source of inspiration for putting an outfit together. I have been trying to think of more creative ways to look at color, not only in the world around me, but for the purpose of using those colors as inspiration for outfits.

Picture taken by me on my phone.

There is a lot going on with these tiles. I see several shades of blue, gray, brown and a sort of mustardy yellow tan. Ha, ha. I’m sure there is a correct color name, but who knows what it is. I was originally going to post this outfit back in July, so I had chosen to go with the white tiles rather than the darker grays.

This outfit is perfect for the transition from summer to cooler fall temps and frankly, while there is still a whole month of summer left, I am looking forward to the temps cooling off, the leaves changing and all the other tantalizing fall aromas and tastes.

Everything in this outfit was thrifted. My white skirt, a brand called VLD was styled last year in my Wearing White series. You can see the skirt worn with a blue top and fall colored scarf, here.

The thrifted 3/4 length sleeve, mustard tee is Sonoma brand. This is another piece that gets regular wear in the cooler temps. You can see it styled with a snakeskin print skirt, purple maxi skirt, and a brown cardigan,

You have also seen this thrifted J.Jill jacket on the blog before too. See it styled with my head to toe denim outfit from this last spring’s trend post.

I added the blue pendant necklace as an additional pot of color against the yellow background.

When I was putting this outfit together and wondering what bag to use, it came to me that this little thrifted piece of bling would be the perfect accompaniment. The browns also mimic some of the brown tiles in my inspirational picture. I love the little southwestern scene done in sequins and beads on this fun piece.

The black casing of the bag and the little black cord strap caused me to reach for my thrifted, black, Baretraps sandals.

What do you think? Did I mimic the bathroom tile colors? What sorts of things do you get your outfit inspiration from besides bloggers or models? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

Here I am kicking 2020 to the curb! Ha, ha.

Here is a look at the tiles and my outfit side by side.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that you come away from it with new eyes to look for added sources of outfit inspiration.

I’m including a few similar piece shopping links, so feel free to peruse. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit (except for the tiles) Rebecca Trumbull.

Outfit Inspiration - Dressed Up Casual Style

This Thursday column is about the places I find some of the inspiration for my outfits. There are many wonderful fashion bloggers out there. Jodie’s Touch of Style, Jo-Lynne Shane, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Fashion Fairy Dust, Shelbee on the Edge , A Picture Worth Style, and Away From Blue are just a few of my favorites. All of these women provide regular outfit inspiration as well as fun and interesting takes on real life. While I derive a ton of inspiration from these ladies, I also get many ideas from looking at magazines, fashion ads and ads from retailers like Chico’s, Christopher and Banks and Maurices. Pinterest is another great place to find fashion inspiration. You can see my Pinterest boards by clicking here.

Today’s outfit was inspired by another Chico’s ad I got in the mail, I think from last fall. The model was wearing boyfriend cropped jeans with a rolled hem, a white tee and a lovely orange and multi-colored ruana. When I was looking for my source of inspiration for this post, I saw that and I knew I had the perfect pieces to mimic the same look. This is my version.

Obviously, the focal point of this outfit is the beautiful, thrifted ruana. I found this piece, by a retailer named Mason and Belle, at a thrift boutique back in New York when I went to visit my mom. My best friend, Stacey, and I always take a day to shop, have lunch and just talk, laugh and vent. It is so good to have at least one close friend you can do that with. It is hard to be so far away, but we regularly email, text, pray and look forward to the next time we can spend together.

What drew me to this piece were several points. First, the cut is very different than any other kimono or ruana I own. It is much shorter, almost more of a shawl, wrap or poncho. The cut is also asymmetrical, unlike the more boxy cut of Tuesday’s yellow floral piece, or the rectangular cut of the kimono you will see next Tuesday. The second point is the fringe. Yes, this boho girl loves me some fringe, and this was no exception. Even the fringe is exquisitely different, with its additional beaded look. The final point that caused me to put this in my basket was the color and pattern. Purple? Of course! Plus the added oranges and yellows make this a great piece to take me into fall. Here are some other pictures of the back and the fringe.

I still need to do some unwinding of the fringe since I washed it, but all of the fringe is still intact.

My thrifted jeans are Merona brand. I didn’t wear them for a long while because the waist is rather big. They fit great through the hips and legs, but the waist has a tendency to stick out in the back. I was going to try to take them in, but decided to just wear them as is. I always wear a belt anyway, so that helps to make the waist more secure. I rolled up the hems to make them more of a cropped pant, rather than the ankle length that they are.

My simple white tee is Christopher and Banks brand. They have quality tees, that fit well and are made out of medium weight material. Every now and then they have good sales on their tees, so if you like their styles keep an eye on their sales.

I chose accessories to emphasize the colors in the ruana. The purple fringe pendant necklace is one of my favorites and it stands out against the white backdrop of the tee. I had two orange bags that I was trying to decide between. One was a brighter, more pumpkin orange and it was suede, so very appropriate for this boho look, but I decided to go with this shopper bag in the more burnt orange color, to give the outfit a little classier, big girl, dressed up vibe.

Lastly, I went with these lace up, gladiator style sandals. These are Massini brand and I got them a few years ago at Meijer.

Where do you get your fashion inspiration from? I hope that I inspire you from time to time. Remember, there are many ways to put an outfit together. Those pieces in your closet are just waiting to be unleashed into a variety of beautiful outfits. If you ever have any questions about putting an outfit together or a fashion or faith question, feel free to email me. I’d also love your thoughts for other things you would like to see on the blog. Thanks so much for all of your support!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’m including a few shopping links that mimic my look. These are affiliate links. Every click on a link gives me a few cents. All opinions are my own. Thank you for all your support.

Have a great weekend!

Thrifted Thursday - Casual Summer Style

As you all know I am a regular thrifter. Thrifting is a great way to get quality clothing pieces at very low prices. You can find name brands like Coach, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, and many more at drastically reduced prices. I personally don’t look for name brands, because brands are not as important to me as fit, ease of wear and care, and low price points. I have found things like my navy Ralph Lauren blazer and black heeled leather boots. I know there are many bloggers who score big finding very expensive brands for just a few dollars. Whatever you are looking for, thrift stores can be a great place to dig for treasure. During this time of Covid, you can also shop second hand on line, with retailers like Poshmark, thredUP and even Goodwill.

Thrifted Thursday is all about outfits pulled from my closet made entirely of pieces I have found thrifting. It challenges me to take a purposeful look at my thrift finds and come up with new ways to style them. There are many times I put an outfit together and it is entirely thrifted, but more often, my outfits are a blend of thrifted and regular retail priced pieces from stores like Christopher and Banks, Kohl’s, JCPenney and Maurices.

Both this graphic tee and my distressed cropped jeans have been on the blog before. You can see the tee styled with a denim skirt and the jeans styled with a green and white popover top, holiday sweater and a red plaid jacket. My Happy tee is No Boundaries brand. The distressed jeans are Simply Vera brand.

Since my tee is fairly loose and long, I thought to tie it at the front to give me a more defined waist. The tee is very thin, and almost distressed like my jeans. That is part of why I thought they went well together.

For my accessories, I chose my blush and pearl choker, which is not thrifted, but I thought it went well with the outfit. I also chose my thrifted, blush, NY & Co. bag.

This sweater vest was another fun thrift find. I was shopping with my best friend back in NY and she pointed this out to me. I tried it on and loved it. It is Relativity brand. What sold me on this piece was the fringe.

Since I was grooving on a blue theme, I chose my thrifted blue and silver, YNot brand cage sandals.

It is fun to put together an outfit made entirely, or mostly out of pieces I have found at a thrift store. Do you like this outfit? Do you like to go thrift shopping? What thrift stores do you like to shop at? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I’ll see you next week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Biscay Green, Saffron and Brilliant White

Today’s outfit revolves around three colors from the Pantone Spring 2020 New York Palette that are described as flavorful, cleansing and pristine. Saffron is a rich orangey yellow color, while Biscay Green leans towards a more soothing aqua. Both colors to me are perfect for summer and when paired with a bright white give a warm weather, party ready look.

When I saw Biscay Green on the palette, I knew that I had nearly nothing in my closet that was this pretty greenish blue, so I started keeping an eye out at my local thrift stores last fall for an item or two that would add this medium green to my closet. This oversized button-up caught my eye. It is a brand called Zylos, which appears to be a past men’s brand in dress shirts and ties. As I have mentioned before, I am liking the oversized button up shirts for a fun, casual way to dress up a pair of jeans or in this case a skirt. For this outfit, I tied the bottom of the shirt and buttoned two buttons.

The Saffron colored Apt. 9 tee, is another thrift find and I have used it on the blog before for another Pantone series. Last year a similar color was called Mango Mojito and I used this same tee to represent that color. You can see that post here. I thought the color was independent enough that I didn’t need the whole tee shirt to show. The bright pop of yellow orange stands out quite nicely with the peaceful green.

I’ve styled this skirt on the blog before. It is St. John’s Bay brand and I got it at JC Penney a few years ago. I was drawn to it for two reasons. The first was that it was white and it was lined. It is so hard to find white you can wear in the summer that doesn’t require a slip or some other underwear that won’t show. This skirt is completely lined. You can still see through it if you have on a dark pair of panties, like red, black or navy, but for the most part they won’t be noticeable. The other reason was the beautiful lace detailing. It is a very pretty piece and can be dressed up or down, depending if you are feeling classic or boho.

I have had this layered beaded necklace for a while. I really like it, but don’t think to wear it that much. When I saw how well it complimented this outfit I was excited to include it. So much of my jewelry I can’t even remember where or when I got it. Ha, ha. Maybe that’s because I have so much of it. I also included a navy beaded bracelet, which you will see in the next picture, to pair with the navy beads in the necklace.

I found this bag at another thrift store when my girls took me thrifting back on my birthday in January. Ahh, those were the days, when we could get together, go shopping and get lunch. Hopefully, those days will come again. I love the color and feel of this bag. It is a brand called Stone Mountain and is very well made. It has a long handle which can be adjusted, so you can either use it for a shoulder bag or a cross body bag.

My perforated peep toe shoeties are Sonoma brand and from Kohl’s. I need to paint my toes. I don’t wear sandals a lot because my feet are like my legs and covered with nasty looking varicose veins. Last fall I went to a vascular surgeon who did an ultra sound to see what could be done. Unfortunately, most of the veins in my legs are in the same bad condition, so having them worked on would provide some temporary relief, but over the course of time, they would develop the same issues. I am putting that off for now, but one day may revisit the idea.

Do you like these colors? How would you wear them? Remember you don’t have to put the colors together as I do. I am simply trying to show you what the colors are for the Pantone seasons and ways you might combine them. Do you wear white in the summer? Do you have a white skirt or do you prefer to wear pants, capris or shorts? I’d love to hear from you, so leave a comment or two.

Graphic designed by Rebecca Trumbull.

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

Have a great day and be safe as the world begins to open back up!

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Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Sunlight, Flame Scarlet and Ash

There are so many ways to combine these colors. I have had a few of you make comments about which colors you like and love to combine. Susan told me she loves today’s pale yellow, Sunlight, combined with Tuesday’s medium pale blue, Faded Denim. What a great combination. I had Karen tell me she usually veers towards the Classic colors, but suddenly realized she had a few new outfits in her closet when she saw last Thursday’s combination of Classic Blue and Chive. I would love to spend most of my blog time just talking about color combinations, because the more I do these Pantone series, the more I realize how many more beautiful combinations there are. However, I know there are other fashion topics to talk about, so I’ll keep the color talks to the Pantone series and my monthly Color Play posts, which will be back soon. Thank you, all of my beautiful subscribers, for your input and support.

Today’s color combination may not have been your first choice. When we think of combining yellow and red my mind immediately goes to McDonald’s. Anyone else have that reaction? Yellow and red seem almost clownish together, but you may change your mind when you see how a pale faded yellow pairs with a stark red. I like it. Let me know what you think.

This thrifted Christopher and Banks corduroy jacket was the perfect Sunlight color. This jacket is soft, flexible, and great for those in between days when it is still cool.

Another thrift find, this Nautica 3/4 sleeve tee is a great spring and summer staple. Not only does it have the bright Flame Scarlet and white stripes, but it bears the nautical sign of the anchor. It makes me think of the anchor of the Lord, that moors my boat in this ever stormy sea called life.

These Ash gray jeans are another thrift find, and are Gloria Vanderbilt. I used to wear Gloria’s jeans all the time, then got away from them. This pair is soft and have just enough stretch to make them so comfortable to wear. I think the length of these is great for summer. How do you like to wear your pant length in the warmer months?

I kept the jewelry minimal and threw on this opera length string of large beads. Doubling it, gives it a fun layered look.

I chose this simple thrifted Jaclyn Smith top handle bag to keep the look light and fresh. This also comes with a longer strap so it can be converted into a crossbody bag. You can see how I styled this bag with white jeans, Bermuda shorts and high waisted jeans.

My Dana Buchman tweed loafers are making another appearance. Loafers are a great shoe for this in between time, before you really want to go out in sandals.

What do you think of this color combination? Have I changed your view on wearing red and yellow together? It would not be my first choice of colors to combine, but I am glad I did it for this series. It helps me to think outside my box. As always I love to hear you thoughts.

Graphic created by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links which mimic this look. These are affiliate links and all opinions are my own.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Classic Blue, Chive and Navy Blazer

As usual, the names for the Pantone colors always amuse me. Classic Blue is pretty normal. Obviously, Chive makes me think of green onions and as you will see, the color is a pretty dark green. Navy Blazer is one of the classic colors and is your typical navy staple, which many of us have a piece or two in our closets. Since Classic Blue is the color of the year, I decided to start with it. The idea to combine it with Chive was a natural progression when I pulled out this thrifted summer midi dress.

This outfit centers around this thrifted OliviaRose dress that I got numerous years ago. Its pretty floral print combines blue, white and green a black background. I didn’t even have to think when I pulled this out of my closet. Classic Blue and Chive were the perfect pairing. An outfit like this really can be worn year round.

This bright blue scarf was gifted to me for Christmas and I used it to introduce the Pantone Color of the Year back in January. You can see that post here.

My faux suede blazer has a little more of a blue undertone than the Chive color, but I thought it was pretty close. This thrifted ISB Inc. blazer is meant to have a double breasted appearance when buttoned, but my figure right now will not allow for that. However, I think it looks just as nice left open since there are buttons on both sides.

You can see in the next picture how nicely the blazer fits through the back. I like that it is more fitted, rather than boxy. I was also trying something different with my hair.

This thrifted Simply Vera/Vera Wang bag has made multiple appearances on the blog as has my thrifted Relativity loafer heels.

I also added my sparkly Classic Blue bracelet, which was also a Christmas gift.

If you are not into wearing bold, bright colors, then these colors would be the perfect choice for you. You could easily make this pairing more summery by adding a white skirt or crop pants instead of the darker print dress. You could also wear head to toe white with a Chive colored blazer or sweater and just a few pops of Classic Blue jewelry. There are so many options, so never say never to any color.

Do you like these colors? How would you wear them? Is this the sort of outfit you would wear? If not, what kind of outfit would you put together? I would love to hear back from you. Things are a little lonely around here. Ha, ha. I am sure you all can relate. We really need the world to get back to something more normal, even if it is not perfect.

I hope you enjoyed this post everyone. Until next time. Stay safe and healthy.

Graphic by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links just for something to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Spring Trends 2020 - Color Play - Neon

When playing with color I have found the biggest obstacle to overcome is the fear that something won’t go together; that it might look silly or clownish if I have too many colors boldly blasting their way down the street. Obviously, right now, it really doesn’t matter what we are wearing because most of us aren’t going anywhere. I still like to get up, shower, put on make up, do my hair and at least put on a pair of jeans and a top and sweater or sweatshirt. A few days I have even put on jewelry, just because I could. It really doesn’t matter if anyone else sees us. It comes down to what makes you feel happier and more comfortable during this difficult time.

Since neon is once again trending on the runways this spring and summer, I decided to look to Pinterest for some inspiration. As most of you know, when you want to find something on Pinterest you just go to the website and search. I put in neon outfits and got all sorts of ideas, some of which were definitely way outside my style zone. Since I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for, I made up my own outfit. This is what I came up with.

This outfit would be perfectly acceptable at most work establishments and certainly helps to brighten up a drab, gloomy day. These bright red thrifted Faded Glory pants made their blog debut a few weeks ago in last months Color Play post.

This pale neon yellow short sleeve v-neck sweater was a Gap thrift find a few years ago. It is a very comfortable piece and I purposely chose the oversized look. As I told you last week, I have been getting into more oversized pieces. They are comfortable and if chosen carefully don’t add the illusion of extra pounds, but actually hide some of the more prominent bulges. Ha, ha.

My pale neon green jacket is a thrifted Christopher and Banks piece. The 3/4 length sleeves make it a great piece for spring and even for summer, when you need a little something extra for overly air conditioned offices and restaurants.

I thought the addition of this scarf was the perfect way to pull the pieces together. You could think of the this outfit as a type of color blocking, where you wear two or three plain colors next to each other. The addition of a printed scarf and bag add a touch of visual interest.

I have had this large tote bag for a long time. I don’t even remember where I got it, although I think it may have been something JC Penney’s carried in their luggage department a number of years ago and they were phasing it out. I believe I got it quite cheap. It is very roomy and easily fits my computer bag, notebooks and other writing necessities. Now that I think about it, I need to switch over to this bag from my buffalo check tote that I am currently using.

I threw on a few neon orange bracelets, just for fun.

Once again, I am featuring loafers, as they are trending right now. These are a thrifted pair of Nine West brand. Kohl’s started carrying Nine West brand clothing and shoes last fall, so I was pleasantly surprised when I pulled these out and realized they were that brand. I’m trendy and didn’t even know it. Ha, ha. I’ll include a few shopping links at the end if you are interested in adding a cute pair of loafers to your shoe collection.

Would you wear an outfit like this? Do you like neon colors? If you want to add neon to your wardrobe, but don’t want to go all out, look for a bright neon scarf, sweater or bag. I’ve provided a few shopping links below for a few fun neon items.

These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring Trends 2020 - Outfit Inspiration - Pinstripes, Leather and Loafers

This outfit was inspired by a Kenneth Cole ad from an In Style magazine, three years ago. I often pulled pages from magazines I had subscriptions to in the past. For a while it was Women’s Day, then Better Homes and Gardens and more recently In Style. I rarely did anything more than look at pictures, so thought a better use of my money was to put it towards thrifting rather than magazine subscriptions. Ha, ha. Anyway, when I came across this ad, which was for shoes, I thought the outfit was rather cute and it fit the bill for a number of the spring trends.

There are several spring trends going on in this outfit. The metallic, blush leather jacket fits right into the bright and light leather trend for spring. I got this cute cropped moto jacket at Nordstrom Rack last year, after I had gotten a gift card. It is a brand called, Coffee Shop NY.

My Mickey Mouse crop top is a thrifted Disney tee. In the original add, the model had on a cropped sweater, that was really cute, but I didn’t seem to have one that was the right length.

My pinstriped button up is a men’s Izod brand and another thrift find. I have fallen in love with oversized button up shirts, either men’s or women’s it doesn’t matter, as long as it is slightly large. When I think of something being oversized, I go for a piece that has sleeves that are long enough they might need to be rolled once. The shirt, especially a button up will be fully or at least partially covering my butt. I also look for something that isn’t too wide. There is a fine line, I believe, as to what looks cute as something oversized and what merely makes us look like, a “walking pile of laundry”, as my husband says. An oversized shirt like this can be worn by itself, under a sweater with part of it hanging out and as a jacket over a cute tee or cami. Be creative. There are lots of fun button ups at the thrift stores.

My skinny jeans are a clearance find from Kohl’s and are Vera Wang brand. They are a bit tight right now. Ladies, I am just being real here. This whole weight thing is a real struggle. It isn’t that I think being larger is a bad thing. I think every individual has to be comfy in their own skin. The best thing is to be healthy and you can do that at 250 pounds or 110 pounds. My biggest struggle is eating junk. It seems like it is worse lately. All I want is chips, bread and sweets, and I don’t even get a period any more. Anybody else out there struggle like this?

I wanted to wear some sort of necklace, but didn’t want to interfere with Mr. Mouse, so I chose this very old letter pendant necklace. I’ve had this for years, and it still holds its shine.

This American Living bag was a thrift find. It can be used like a doctor bag with the short handles or worn as a cross body bag with the longer strap. I really do like bags that have this versatility.

In the original ad, the model had on black heeled boots, but I wanted to bring in another trend that is back in the fashion world, that of loafers. I used to think I wasn’t really much of a loafer fan, but then I started looking through my shoes and realized, somewhere along the way, I changed my mind. From the traditional loafer to loafer heels, to loafer mules, these simple shoes are a wardrobe staple and can be worn with everything from skinny jeans, to crop pants to skirts and dresses. They are great for work, especially if you find a comfy pair and have to be on your feet a lot. This pair of loafers is another Kohl’s clearance find and is Dana Buchman brand. They are made of a tweedy material.

I hope you enjoyed today’s outfit. Inspiration can come from all sorts of places, so be sure to look at those magazines while you are waiting at your dentist appointment, or check out Pinterest for tons of outfit combinations. You can check out my Pinterest boards as well and see what sorts of outfits, inspire me.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

As always, I’m providing a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Seeing Red - Red with Tan - Velvet Jacket

(For those of you who entered the Bloggiversary Givaway, be sure to read to the bottom to see who won.)

As I was preparing for this series, I knew there were certain pieces I wanted to feature. Today’s red velvet jacket is one of those. This thrifted Briggs NY blazer is such a fun and unique piece. I originally got it as a holiday blazer when I was doing my 20 Days of Christmas series back in 2018. You can see the post featuring that Christmas outfit here. I wanted to be able to style this jacket in another way and what better than to wear it for the month of February. Whether you celebrate Valentines Day or are wearing red for Heart Disease awareness month, a red jacket, or blazer is a great way to do it.

Let me share a style secret with you. I typically don’t button or zip my sweaters or blazers. If I am using a piece as outerwear, then I do want to be able to zip or button it. More often though, I add a jacket or sweater as a layering piece for warmth, but leave it open, so the under layer, whether it be a graphic tee, button up or a textured sweater like the one in this outfit, can be seen. That also allows any necklaces or scarves to be an added focal point in the outfit. This blazer is too tight, but it fits well through the shoulders and back so I bought it, knowing this is exactly how I would wear it. The fashion gurus might say I am committing a crime worthy of jail, but I don’t care. After all, part of the reason many of us blog about fashion is to remind people to wear what makes you feel good and is completely you.

Just like the red and black of last week’s post, red and tan also make a wonderful statement. My tan Sonoma sweater is older than the hills. I don’t wear it too often, but it goes with so many things and was the perfect topper for this recently thrifted Worthington skirt. I like that the sweater is an open weave, so I can layer any cardi under it and you’ll be able to see the color. For this outfit I just did white, but it would have worked well with black or red too.

I fell in love with this skirt when I saw it. I have way too many skirts and don’t wear them very often at all, but I like having them, if just for the sake of showing you outfits on the blog. Plus, I like to have choices. My problem is, I have too many choices. Ha, ha. Anyway, the skirt is easy on and easy off with an elastic waist. It is a medium weight swingy knit. I wasn’t sure about the pattern at first, and even when I put it on and looked in the mirror I wasn’t sure if it would make me look too wide on the bottom, but I think the diagonal pattern works well for both narrow and fat bottomed girls. ( Do you hear Freddy Mercury singing, “Fat bottomed girls make the rockin’ world go round”?)

I found this fun necklace on clearance at Meijer. The pretty leaf is what sold me.

I also chose my bracelet with the gray stone and my silver clutch.

The same suede Aerosoles that I wore in last week’s post are making another appearance. I opted for the black hose for two reasons. With the black shoes, they make my legs look longer and thinner. In addition, the fact that it is still winter and they were a heavier weight seemed like a good choice.

What do you think of this outfit? Do wear printed skirts or do you choose to wear only solids on your bottom half? Do you like your sweaters and jackets to be worn closed or open? I’d love to hear your thoughts

For those of you who entered my Bloggiversary giveaway, thank you so much for participating. I didn’t get nearly the response I did last year, so I’m not sure if people are just too busy, or if a Target gift card isn’t that big of a draw. Ha, ha. Anyway, for those who took the time and my one new person who subscribed, thank you, thank you, thank you. You all are truly the reason I keep doing this. I also want to say thanks for your kind remarks. You all made my day and my week.

The winner of the $30 Target gift card is Karen Anderson. Congratulations, Karen!

Thanks again, everyone who supports the blog. Have a great Tuesday.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’m including a few shopping links for red blazers and jackets, just in case you find your closet lacking. Have fun shopping. These are affiliate links, all opinions are my own.

Seeing Red - Thrifted Thursday - Burgundy Skirt

Today’s column is the first of a new one I am going to feature the first Thursday of the Month. Since I am such an avid thrifter and because I see so many other thrifters featuring their treasures on a regular basis, I thought it would be fun to come up with an outfit once a month that is entirely thrifted. I thought this outfit fit into my February theme of Seeing Red because it features my burgundy faux leather skirt.

This skirt is Worthington brand. I have styled this on the blog before. You can see it styled with a velvet floral top here; a burgundy lace top here; a floral top here; and a gray sweater tunic here. This just goes to show, a faux leather skirt is a versatile option for your wardrobe. It works great as a work wear piece or dressed up for a classy night out.

I love this cognac yellow, cowl neck sweater. It is Charlotte Russe brand. Since it is a wider, more relaxed fit, I decided to do the front tuck. I have seen numerous vloggers, (video bloggers) who use this method to create a waist line on an outfit, with a more bulky or voluminous piece. Since I added a jacket over the top, leaving the back untucked was no big deal, as you can see below.

This olive green jacket could be a shirt dress, a very short one. Ha, ha. However, my days of mini skirts are long gone, so I am using it like a light weight jacket. This is Fashion Bug brand. With its large square pockets, metals snaps and casing belt, it definitely falls into the utility jacket category.

I kept my accessories simple. The fun brass and bead flower pendant I found thrifting a few years ago. The cognac, leather, Fossil cross body bag is perfect for carrying the essentials when shopping. I could have went with some cognac colored ankle boots, but opted for the black ANA loafer heels instead. I thought it made the outfit look a little more professional and office ready. My dark colored hose are the only thing not thrifted in my outfit.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like this combination of colors? I really liked the way the yellow, burgundy and olive compliment each other.

If you don’t go thrifting, I would strongly recommend you give it a try. It is a great way to help our environment, other people and our own pocket books.

I’ve included a few modestly priced shopping links, if you are more of an online shopper. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.