Winter Trend - My Take on Bohemian Chic

The idea of bohemian style always brings to my mind, gypsies. I think of long, tiered skirts, bright colors and all manner of patterns. I also think of the 1960’s hippies with fringe, headbands and bell bottoms. When I went to put this outfit together, I knew I wanted to incorporate a few of those characteristics into the outfit, but still stay true to my own style. Let’s face it, the 1960’s brought the women’s lib movement, so many women were burning their bras while I was still in diapers and just learning to walk. I personally like to keep the “girls” covered, except when I am ready for bed, so that aspect of the 1960’s boho vibe will not be part of my style.

I found this pretty Westbound medallion print top a while back during a thrift run. I love the bright, happy pattern, the ruching on the front yoke and the unique sleeves.

My Vera Wang distressed cropped jeans have made multiple appearances on the blog. You can see them with a holiday sweater, a red plaid jacket and a graphic tee and long fringe vest. I typically don’t wear them until warmer weather, but occasionally I will pull them out and use them with a pair of boots. Another thrift find, these are great for a casual look. If you look back at the other photos you can see they are starting to show some wear.

I chose beads for my jewelry, since beading also seems to be a bohemian statement.

I chose my black suede Massini slouch boots, as they made me think of the 1960’s styles again. Suede has long been associated with the days of flower children and Woodstock in the form of fringe on bags, jackets and vests. Typically, the suede would have been a natural looking brown, but you get the idea.

My bag is an older Liz Claiborne brand called Axcess. It doesn’t really match, but I thought the pattern, the shape, the colors and the corduroy material was channeling a bit of its own boho chic.

I ended up adding my Chico’s fringe trimmed cape. Not only did it add one last element of bohemian flair, but it helped keep me warm while I was messing with my camera. This piece was a clearance find via Chico’s online about four years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long already!

Do you like the Bohemian trend? What are the things you like about it? What don’t you like about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I am including a few shopping links for a plethora of things with that Boho vibe. I hope you will spend a little time shopping. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

I will not be posting for the rest of the week. I have several articles on the docket for the community magazine I am writing for, I have to houseclean tomorrow and on Friday I am having minor surgery in the morning. I have a small mass on my upper left thigh that needs to be removed.

I hope you all have a good rest of the week and a great weekend. I hope to be back at it next Tuesday. I have a few ideas for posts, if I can’t get out and take pictures, so we’ll see how things go.

Winter Trend - My Take on Bold Checks

While I have always loved plaid for as long as I can remember, my affection for checks has come about more slowly. When I was younger I always thought gingham was meant for tables, not clothing. I thought it was silly to wear checks. Wouldn’t someone think I looked like a table cloth, or a cutesy picnic ground covering? As gingham evolved and grew, the types of clothing pieces adorned with a gingham pattern grew as well. Dresses, blouses, and now, even pants, tees and all manner of accessories can be found with these colorful little checks.

The checkered pattern has evolved over time and the popular pattern Buffalo Plaid really had its time this past holiday season. Perhaps that is partially due to the fashion trend that I am talking about today, that of bold checks. The idea of bold doesn’t necessarily refer to its color, although that is certainly part of what makes this pattern so fun. Bold references the check itself which is big and makes a statement, no matter what color it is.

My outfit today centers around a bold black and white piece that is perfect for the cold days still ahead of us. I would not wear this as an outer piece except, perhaps in the cooling days of fall. My thought is to wear it as a a layering piece for when I am at a coffee shop or even at home. Being a writer means I am often sitting for long periods of time and I do tend to get cold, so a piece like this is perfect for taking the chill off.

This black and white checked ruana is a heavier weight flannel. I honestly don’t remember where I got this, and I don’t know what the brand is, but it might have been Kohl’s on the clearance rack a few years ago. If you don’t remember what the difference between a ruana and a kimono, here is a quick refresher. A ruana is one piece of material cut into a t-shape. It typically has no sleeves, but simply drapes over the arms. A kimono is usually a longer t-shaped piece with side seams and sleeves. A ruana might be a little more like a poncho, except you don’t put it on over your head.

Here is a back view. You can see that this particular piece hangs a little longer in the back than in the front.

I decided I wanted to do something other than my typical jeans, so I went for a skirt. The fact that it was a denim skirt is a reflection on my love for this sturdy material that literally goes with everything. I’ve styled this stretchy pencil number on the blog before. You can see it style with a tee for a casual look, and with a asymmetrical tunic for a more dressed up approach. This was a thrifted piece and is a brand called NoFazeJeans.

My white sweater with the tour Eiffel on it is Elle brand. I like the texturized picture, which seems to be made out of something like velvet. I thought it was the perfect piece to go with the bold, checked ruana.

I thought the look would be cuter and more winter appropriate with knee high boots and black tights. Funny story. I bought these tights at Kohl’s and the way they were sized I ended up getting a plus size, because you know how tights and hose can be. I mean, it really is like trying to cram sausages into those skinny paper straws. Well, I thought I was safe with the size I chose and when I unfolded them from the package they were plenty long and the part at the top seemed plenty stretchy. When I went to put them on, it was hilarious. The top is very stretchy and they are very long, but the spandex ended when they got to the actual leg part of the hose. I could barely get them up past my knees. I managed to struggle into them and luckily the stretchy part at the top was also long enough that it stretched around my chubby thighs. It is absolutely ridiculous! Those tights were made for a very tall person with extremely skinny legs. No lie! They were not made for an average size girl, let alone a plus size one! Ha, ha.

These old boots, I have had for a while and are a brand called Rialto. I have worn these over many winters and about two years ago, the soles started separating from the rubber bottoms of the shoes. My hubby got some Shoe Goo (yes it is a real product) and glued them back together. They are showing a lot of wear, and I probably won’t be wearing them when it is really wet out, but I’ll get a few more years out of them.

My bright yellow bag was a birthday gift from my younger daughter. It is a simple tote bag, and I love the color. I was thinking about making this my go to bag for my writing stuff. It doesn’t have a label, so I have no idea what brand it is, but it will be used.

I added a few gold items for jewelry. A couple of gold bracelets and this fun large link, gold and black chain.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the bold checks? Do you have bold checks in different colors? I’d love to hear what’s in your closet!

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I hope you all are having a great weekend.

Winter Trends - My Take on Quilting

I have always loved handmade quilts. I think they are beautiful testaments to the women who work on them, tirelessly sewing, piecing together and creating a work of art in the form of a wall hanging or full sized quilt for a bed. When we went to the fair, back when that was allowed, I used to love to visit the hall where all the quilts were displayed. I always thought it would be cool to be part of a group of women who worked together to create these masterful pieces.

The winter trend of quilting is, once again, more present in outerwear, than in every day clothing. However, I wanted to show you something other than my quilted outerwear vests, so I reached for an older piece that for some reason I do not wear very often and a new piece that I just got. The blatant truth is, I have way too many clothes and one of these days I need to really pare things down, but for the time being, I would like to wear more of the things that I don’t wear as often.

This jacket is a new purchase from Christopher & Banks. It was marked down and then had another percent off. I like that it is light weight and on the day I took these photos it was quite cold and it kept me toasty warm. The shiny, olive green color was a nice addition to my outerwear wardrobe and this is a jacket that I will be able to wear fall, winter and spring when the temps are still cold. It appears, that Christopher & Banks, while closing all their brick and mortar stores, is still going to have on online presence. I know they still have these available on their website, so check it out.

The other quilted piece I want to show you is the gray vest I have on underneath the coat. This vest is also a Christopher & Banks purchase, but from a number of years ago. The quilting detail is much more intricate and unique on the front portions of the vest.

My fun printed pants were a recent thrift find from when my girls took me thrift shopping on my birthday. I saw these on the rack and I have always had this thing for plaid pants. I threw them in my cart thinking there was no way they’d fit, but why not try them on. I was so happy that they did. These are a brand called cabi jeans. Once again, a brand I am not familiar with, but they are a current online retailer, so you can check out their website here.

I will be able to use these jeans all year round and I am already thinking of spring outfit styled with a chambray shirt.

The next photo shows, not only my beaded necklace, but the gray, Worthington turtleneck sweater I wore under the vest. There is nothing like a cozy turtleneck to keep you warm in the winter months. This was the same one I styled a few weeks ago in my post, A Dickens’ Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

The only other accessories I had besides my beads were my faux suede boots and my gray convertible bag. These navy SO ankle boots have been on repeat this winter since I purchased them online from Kohl’s. My Evan Picone bag was a thrift find. I like that it can be carried as a top handle tote bag and also as a smaller cross body bag.

Do you have any quilted pieces in your closet besides the comforter you throw on the bed? Quilting is hit or miss. Most of us have heard of Vera Bradley and I almost pulled out one of my tote bags, but it didn’t really go with what I was wearing. I do like many of her things, but it has to be the right pattern and style for me and I usually just look for them at thrift stores. I’ve included some of her products in the shopping links.

What did you think of this outfit? Would you wear patterned pants like these? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links, for all things quilted. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I apologize that there are not more varied sizes available. I think a lot of things are selling out.

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.

Winter Trends - My Take on Patchwork

Last Thursday, I shared a few of the 2020/2021 Winter Trends. I know many of you don’t really care about being trendy. You are comfortable in your own style. However, I know many of my followers are interested in learning and growing in their fashion sense. Taking a look at what is trending for each season is a good way to explore different fashion ideas and take the plunge to try something new. While there are numerous trends out there for each season, I try to focus on those that best coincide with my fashion philosophy. If you missed my post on My Fashion Philosophy just click on the link to learn more.

I’m starting my Winter Trend series with my take on patchwork. Patchwork isn’t a trend that I would like to have a lot of. While patchwork is a step up from the casual hobo look of distressed jeans, I feel that patchwork is too contrived and thought out. I know that might sound silly, especially coming from a woman whose mother always put patches on our wholly jeans and elbows when I was growing up. I do like patchwork in the form of varied colored patches on jeans or a jean jacket, but it becomes a bit much when it is a whole skirt or top.

How fortunate that I found these fun patchwork jeans when my girls took me on my birthday tour. I found these at Style Encore in Findlay, OH, and they were on clearance at 50% off, so I got them for $9.00. Thrift stores like Plato’s Closet, Clothes Mentor and Style Encore are at the top of my thrifting price point, so when I can find things at half price, I feel like I am paying a price I feel more comfortable paying for a second hand piece. They are definitely higher quality stores with brands that are more top notch, so if you like brand shopping, but want the price points of a second hand shop, these are the stores to look at.

These patchwork jeans are a brand called Est. 1946 Denim, and have a soft, stretchy feel, so are definitely comfortable and made for real life. They have a high waist and while not a super skinny leg, narrow towards the ankle. I like that the patches are a lighter shade of blue. I also really like the cross hatching on the left leg (my left, ha, ha) between the two patches. The patches add texture and interest to an otherwise simple pair of jeans.

I found this long sleeve tee at the same shop as the jeans and it was also on clearance. When I saw the word Shine I knew I had to bring it home with me, even after I tried it on and realized it was a pajama top; Ambrielle brand from JC Penney. Never say never to wearing a pajama top as a regular tee shirt. We wear regular tee shirts for pajama tops, so why not the other way around. Heck, these days women wear their bras and camisoles as attire to be seen by the world! Ha, ha.

Let me tell you more about why the word Shine has special meaning for me. A fellow blogger Debbie Stinedurf of Fashion Fairy Dust, last year decided instead of having a list of New Year’s resolutions to choose a word for the year. I thought about doing that last year, but I never did. This year, when she mentioned it on Instagram, I was immediately struck by the word “light”, so that is the word I chose for myself for this year. I want to incorporate light into my life in the form of truth, and revelation, especially through God’s word and works written by fellow Christ followers. I also want to be a light of hope and encouragement to my family and to you all who follow my blog. Lastly, I want to incorporate light into my writing. I have always had the thought to have light, somehow be a part of my stories, in a similar way to Thomas Kinkade incorporating light into his paintings. When I saw the word Shine on that tee, it just seemed that it was a confirmation that I had chosen the right word to focus on.

To make the look more monochrome with an emphasis on winter textures, I added my light blue chenille cardigan. I love this soft, cozy piece and it gets plenty of wear time in the cold months.

I though earth tones would be a good compliment to this mix of gray and blue. My George satchel from Walmart a few years ago, was the perfect accompaniment as it has the patchwork vibe going on as well. From there I chose my Nine West ankle boots from Kohl’s go go with the dark brown on the bag.

Do you like patchwork? Do you have anything patchwork in your closet? What do you think of this outfit? What sort of patchwork piece might you add to your wardrobe in the coming months? Do you have New Year’s resolutions? If you picked a word for the year 2021 what would it be? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for things with a patchwork look. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thanks for following along. Have a great day.

My Intro to Winter Trends - 2020/2021

I know that the current winter trends have been on the market since last fall, but as I have said before, I am not one to jump on the early trend band wagon. We have plenty of winter left here in Northwest Ohio and I am sure, many other northern areas as well. While we don’t have snow, we definitely still have temperatures in the 30’s, so our sweaters, long sleeve tops and boots are still going to see plenty of wear. In addition, seeing as how I am living in the land of eternal gray skies, I need a motivational boost for getting out of bed, and into clothing that doesn’t resemble pajamas.

For today’s post, I am going to talk about a number of trends that I find interesting, and I will show you samples of each trend via my affiliate links. If you see something that looks fun, just click on the link and it will take you to the retailer, where you can purchase it. These are affiliate links. I get a few pennies for each click you make and a little bit more if you purchase something through my links. All opinions are my own. My hope is that the next few weeks, I can show you what these trends look like by giving you posts of outfits from my own clothes.

Patchwork - This is a fun trend that seems to come around every so often. I wouldn’t want a whole closet full of patchwork things, but I think a few things, make for a more fun wardrobe. I especially like the bags and shoes.

Puffer Jackets and Vests - These might not be your first choice for outer wear, but there is something to be said for these warm pieces. The puff needn’t be overly voluminous to keep your warm. There are many thinner, packable versions that offer toasty warmth as well.

Quilting - This technique is very similar to the puffer style when it comes to clothing, the only difference is in the pattern and the amount of filling. Once again, you see this trend most specifically in outerwear.

Bold Checks - If you like plaid, you might also like the more structured print of checks. I love Buffalo plaid, which is really just a checkered pattern and we have been seeing a lot of it this fall and winter. I especially like the checked white and green skirt below.

Bohemian Chic - There are many things I like about the Bohemian style of dressing and this winter Bohemian Chic is trending. The Boho vibe is not for everyone, but a little dash of Boho in a blouse, a bag or just in the details of a piece of jewelry or an accessory can really make an outfit more interesting. I think one of the reasons I like it, is the bright, pretty colors and patterns.

Color Block - This is a style that seems to always be around, sometimes lingering in the background and other times pushed to the forefront of what is trendy. I decided to put this one on the list, because it is not something I do. Wanting to try new things and keep my content fresh, I am going to give this a try.

Shearling Trim - Shearling trim is a fun, textural addition to any winter wardrobe. Just a little bit can make your outfits extra cozy and cute.

There are a few more trends that I hope to give mention to, when I show you the actual outfits. I hope you enjoyed this quick look at a few of the winter trends that I like. I’m getting off to a little bit of a slow start, but hopefully next week, I’ll have a few outfits back up on the blog. Until then, have a great week.

A Look Back at 2020 - My Favorite Outfits

Before I launch into a short series on some of the current winter trends, i wanted to revisit my favorite outfits from this past year. 2020 was a year unlike any other with the Covid Pandemic, racial unrest and the election overwhelming our newsfeeds. There were times where I just didn’t feel like being a blogger any more. I just wanted to crawl into a nice, cozy hole and not come out until all of the bad news went away. Fortunately, I didn’t do that. I had a sense that every single one of you that regularly follow me, needed a brief respite from all the bad that was going on around us. The normalcy of looking at and talking about faith and fashion, just seemed to be a good thing to do, so I kept at it.

I have a feeling that 2021 is not going to be a whole lot different from 2020. Change is going to continue to happen and change is what often pushes us well outside of our comfort zones. However, my little blog is still going to be here, as long as God gives me the health, energy and brain power to continue, I will do so. Many of you have become like family to me. Those of you who have regularly commented or even taken the time to send me a personal email have been a great source of encouragement to me, so thank you.

Here is a look back at 2020. As I have done before, I go month by month and pick out my faves. I’d love to know which outfit really inspired you.

January

Actual Amy - Waterfall Cardigan

Why I like It: This whole outfit is very much me. I love the rusty textures of the waterfall cardigan and faux suede boots. As you all know, I love my jeans and the striped long sleeve tee is the perfect choice for this ultra casual outfit. I also like the subtle print mixing going on between the stripes, snakeskin patterned bag and the speckled bead pendant.

February

Seeing Red - Thrifted Thursday - Burgundy Skirt

Why I Like It: In all honesty, I had three outfits, all together, that I liked from February. I decided to post this one as my favorite, because it was totally unexpected. I honestly did not think this outfit was going to look as good as it did when I started putting it together. I wasn’t sure about the color combo or the mix of smooth faux leather pencil skirt with oversized textured sweater, but I absolutely love everything about this outfit. The color combo was perfect and the unexpected mix of textures and lengths honestly works well. The only thing I might have changed is the shoes. I’m wondering if a burgundy shoe would have been a better choice, but overall it worked. The other two that I liked from February were, Seeing Red - Red with Tan - Velvet Jacket, and Seeing Red - Actual Amy - Plaid Jacket.

March

Spring Trends 2020 - Maxi Dresses, Psychedelic Prints and Vests

Why I Like It: March was the month I focused on the Spring Trends for the year. I will do that again this year. I like the boho, hippy vibe of this outfit with the medallion printed maxi dress, the striped tee and the denim vest. It just presents a fun, eclectic mix that makes for a great casual date night look.

April

Transitional Spring Outfit

Photo credit Rachel Christensen

Why I Like It: Who doesn’t like a kimono? They are just fun, fabulous pieces and every woman should have one or two in her closet. I have many more than that, but there are so many pretty styles, prints and colors. This pink, burgundy and white piece is no exception. I especially like the fringe on the sleeve and bottom hems. Every since I learned about print mixing, I have become obsessed and nothing pairs better than stripes and flowers. The burgundy colored accessories complete the look perfectly.

May

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

Photo credit Amy Christensen

Why I Like It: There is nothing special about this outfit, other than it is something I would actually wear. Though all of the outfits I post are things I actually own, I don’t necessarily wear everything that you see, exactly as you see it. The reason for this is, I am trying to show a varied audience outfits that could be used for every day, work, going out or traveling. Right now I am not working outside the home and we really aren’t going anywhere, yet this outfit is something I would still wear.

June

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Tanager Turquoise, Heritage Blue and Blanc de Blanc

Why I Like It: This look is classic. It could be worn by any woman, anywhere. It is a great outfit for work, but could also be worn for a date night, or lunch with the girls. It also exudes spring and summer with the bright floral top, crisp white ankle pants and silver ballerina flats. The blue bag, beaded necklace and bracelets add fun matching elements to the ensemble.

July

Summer Outfit - Geometric Maxi Dress - Casual

Why I Like It: Honestly, I like this outfit, because I think it is fun! I love the hat, the tee and the geometric print on the maxi dress. The top is a light weight sleeveless tee material, so adding the other tee did not add bulk, weight or make it hotter. This would be a great look for traveling, going to the beach or on a picnic.

August

Outfit Inspiration - Dressed Up Casual Style

Why I Like It: What is not to love about this dressy casual look. The star piece is the thrifted kimono. It took a simple white tee and boyfriend jeans up to a new level of style. The fringe necklace compliments the purples in the kimono and the rusty orange bag the oranges. This was a nice transitional outfit for the waning days of summer.

September

Pantone Fall/Winter 2020 - Samba, Fired Brick and Sleet

Why I Like It: September was another month where I had several favorite outfits, but this one still stands out as a winner. Once again, the combination of colors, as well as the print mixing, really goes a long way to making this dressier outfit perfect for the office. I also like how my last minute addition of blush accessories pulled everything together. Two of my other faves were, Pantone Fall Winter 2020 - Peach Nougat, Sandstone and Military Olive, and Color Play - Fall Mix.

October

Pantone - Autumn/Winter 2020 - London Palette - Samba, Tawny Birch and Sheepskin

Why I Like It: I don’t wear neutrals all that often, but a combination like this really pops. The neutral palette colors of Tawny Birch and Sheepskin, combined with the bright Samba red makes an exceptional outfit. The added joy is that everything in this outfit is thrifted, except the pearls. When I can put a whole outfit together with thrifted pieces and it ends up looking like this, I am all for it.

November

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

Why I Like It: This outfit is just very me. I love wearing tees, and jeans and throwing a nice blazer and a pair of boots on really levels up a very casual outfit. The addition of a fun statement necklace and a cute bag also provide a dressier look, even with the distressed jeans.

December

A Dickens’ Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Past

Why I Like It: Out of my whole Christmas series, I think this outfit and these photos were my faves. Winter white is really trending right now and when I put these pieces together for my Ghost of Christmas Past persona, I didn’t realize how popular these creamy whites were. The outfit itself was cozy and in keeping with my love for pants and flats. Ha, ha.

There you have it, my favorite picks from 2020. What were your faves? I would love to hear back from you. Also, if there is anything you would like to see more of on the blog, or a different topic you would like me to talk about, please let me know.

I hope your New Year is off to a great start. Check back on Thursday for a look at some of the current winter trends.

Photo credit unless otherwise stated, Rebecca Trumbull Photography.

A Look at My Fashion Philosophy and an Intro to Winter Trends

Since winter just officially started last week, I thought I would take the next few weeks to look at a few of the fashion industry winter trends. Some of these were publicized months ago with the fall trends, but as you know, I do not adhere to a super strict timeline, when it comes to trends. In fact, if it is a trend I really like I will shop the end of season sales to find a piece or pieces within the trend to save myself money. I don’t worry about being spot on with a trend timeline. My feeling is, if it is a trend worth buying into, I am going to keep it around for a while.

Image by Lorri Lang from Pixabay

Since I have started regularly writing and blogging, I have noticed that King Solomon had a lot of wisdom when he penned these words in Ecclesiastes.

“What has been, it is what will be, And what has been done, it is what will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”

— Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NASB)

I have said it before and I will say it again, hang on to those things you love, because they will be back around again, whether it is a print like leopard or gingham, a color scheme like monochrome or color blocking, or a silhouette like flared jeans or an a-line skirt. As long as an item still fits and it is something you love, don’t get rid of it, just because it isn’t trending anymore. Just be patient. Besides, there are no rules when it comes to your fashion style. It is what makes you feel good and confident. Wear black in the summer and white in the winter. Style your leopard print all year round and your sparkles for lunch with your friends. It really is up to you.

Before I get into the Winter trends, I wanted to share with you my fashion philosophy. Over the last few years as a blogger, I have been becoming more aware of my own style and the reasoning behind my style choices. I would like to share with you a few of my fashion parameters.

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay

Fit - If it doesn’t fit well, I am not going to wear it. I have found a few of my favorite jeans at thrift stores, because there I can find and try on brands I normally wouldn’t buy. I would have never shopped at Lane Bryant, but one of my favorite pairs is a thrifted Lane Bryant boot cut distressed jean. I love the rise, the stretch and the comfort of that pair. Now Lane Bryant is for women size 12 and up, so if you are short and thin, you will not be wearing their brand. You have to find what works for you. Don’t be afraid to order things, try them on and send them back, or (after Covid), try multiple pairs on at a store like Kohl’s, Macy’s or Nordstrom until you find what works for you.

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Style - We all have our own style, and it may take you a number of years of experimentation to find out what works for you. You can Google fashion styles and it will bring up a number of articles on what the different styles are. Many men and women are strictly one style or another, but most of us are blend of multiple styles. I love moto jackets and combat boots; velvet and chenille; twirly skirts and long tiered maxis; flannel shirts, scarves and cardigans.My style is a blend of casual, biker chick, boho, and tomboy with a bit of classic and grunge thrown in. No wonder I am so confused! Ha ha. Finding and owning your style is more important than trying to keep up with the trends.

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay

Price point - I know many people don’t let price points affect their style; if they want something, they buy it. Many people shop for higher priced products because they are a better deal as far as fit, durability and wear. As a thrifter, I know I can find quality products at second hand stores if I am willing to be choosy, do some experimenting with brands and be patient. Personally I value other things more than I value designer products. There is no doubt that many designers make very high quality products and that is part of what keeps them in business, but I cannot justify paying $300 for a bag, a pair of jeans or a pair of shoes. But that is just part of my personal style and I have nothing against people who do spend more on their clothes. Hopefully, they are in a position where that is easier on their wallets, than it is on mine. There is another idea that goes along with price point and that brings me to the next fashion rule I try to follow.

Image by NatureFriend from Pixabay

Sustainability - When we talk about sustainability in fashion we are talking about the production and distribution of clothing, shoes and accessories in a manner that is both environmentally friendly and conducive to changing consumer behaviors. In a world where so much is thrown away it is no surprise that the clothing industry for many years has been a leader in post production waste. Not only the remnants from manufacture of the products themselves, but the waste water and other toxic sludge that is dumped into the environment. There is a fledgling movement underway to change these practices in the fashion industry and make clothing manufacture and distribution what sustainability entity Green Strategy calls Circular Fashion. You can see a clearer definition of this by clicking on the link.

Basically, circular fashion promotes the ideas that fashion from beginning to end can follow a circular loop that includes better quality fabrics, more environmentally friendly production steps with less waste, marketing that includes educating the consumer and creating a consumer who is more likely to return to these products and the repurposing of textiles either through donation to second hand sellers or to entities that will turn the products back into new products through incineration to create energy or through textile fiber recycling.

Being a thrifter enables me to do my part to stay the circular course of textiles and to do it at a price point that is much easier on my checkbook.

Image by Lorri Lang from Pixabay

Modesty - You might say I am an ostrich sticking my head in a hole if I don’t buy into the over sexualized aspects of fashion. I am fully aware of what is going on. You can’t look at a magazine cover while standing in the supermarket checkout that doesn’t have some reference to sex on the cover. Well, maybe not Taste of Home. Ha, ha. I have studied magazines like Seventeen, Vogue, Marie Claire, In Style and others. Every single one gives word space, and/or photo space, to talking about our sexual partners, fantasies, problems and issues. Pictures include women with varying degrees of sexual intonation from the lack of bras, pants or shirts, to positions with legs wide spread leaning back precariously close to an orgasm without a partner. Oh, sure, they have clothes on, but come on people, just what do you think these magazines are trying to sell?

I believe we, as women, have done ourselves a disservice in buying into what many forms of media are pushing. That is not to say, they never have an article that communicates the creativity and power of women. Many do, but I struggle to believe that the girls growing up in this world aren’t affected by the combination. If you say women are strong and creative, but place that article next to a photo of a sexualize woman, aren’t we then, promoting the idea that the only thing truly strong, creative and beautiful about women is their sex. Look at how many young women and girls idolize women in entertainment. No doubt, most of these women are gorgeous and extremely talented, but when it comes to how they present themselves by their clothing choices, it makes me wonder what are they really trying to say.

I am not saying we should be total prudes. Especially if you are in a committed relationship to another person. It is important to dress in a way that shows that person you love them and want to be sexy for them. However, when we are out in public, or promoting our blogs or our Instagrams, I think is is important to promote things that will last, like being creative or smart or talented. Physical beauty is fleeting, and what is truly sexy is not how much of ourselves we show off, but how beautifully the hidden places in our hearts rise to the surface.

Those are just some of the things I think about when it comes to my views on fashion and my approach to the outfits I pick out and the topics I talk about. I won’t be posting on Thursday this week as my Hubby and I are going to go see his parents for a few days. Next week I’ll pick back up with a look at some of this winter’s best trends. Until then, stay safe and have a very Happy New Year. See you in 2021!

Actual Amy - Home Alone - Getting into Mischief

Merry Christmas everyone! I intended to have this post done yesterday, but I was cooking and wrapping. We celebrated with both daughters, our son-in-law and grandson, this morning, but last night we spent a few hours watching a movie and having snacks with our younger daughter and grandson, so there was additional prep. Needless to say, I never even got this post started. Now that brunch and the gift opening is over, we have some quiet time this afternoon to relax.

It is a gloriously snowy day. My younger girl is calling it a Christmas miracle and I told her it was my gift from the King of Kings. Whatever you want to call it, we were all rather happy that it was finally a White Christmas. Everyone seemed very pleased with their gifts and I got a lot of nice things as well, including a new printer and a steamer. No more wrinkly clothes for blog pictures. Yay! I also got a bunch of new books, a trilogy by Brandon Sanderson and a few books on writing. I am very excited and am looking forward to the new year, to try to establish some reading and writing habits (as well as some better physical habits).

This post is going to be short and mostly about the pictures. This red sweater and olive utility pants outfit was inspired by Home Alone. This movie is another favorite. Both the first and second movies with Macaulay Culkin playing, mischievous and resourceful, Kevin McCallister as the young boy, who is left home alone when their large extended family goes on a trip really, are the best out of the Home Alone series. The first one follows Kevin as he protects his home from bumbling bandits Marv and Harry and the second one follows Kevin in NYC, once again outwitting and out maneuvering Harry and Marv as they try to take down a NYC toy store. Both movies are full of painful looking physical comedy and even moments that pull at your heart strings.

Enjoy the pictures and have a wonderful Christmas day!

This open weave red sweater was a treasure I found at our local American Cancer Society Discovery Shop around the counter. I love the look of this thrifted piece and it is actually quite warm with a long sleeve tee underneath.

My olive utility pants I have styled with many things on the blog before. They were a JC Penny purchase a number of years ago and are Gloria Vanderbilt brand. You can see them with other olive utility pieces and with other neutrals from this past fall Pantone series.

This old gray hat was actually my hubby’s, but it worked for this outfit. My scarf was from a few years ago.

These fuzzy, sherpa lined ankle boots are SO brand and a Kohl’s clearance purchase from last year.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Have a blessed, peaceful Christmas!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

A Dickens' Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come

These photos were taken in a local graveyard. No disrespect was intended to the families of those laid to rest in its borders, nor to the spirits who might walk its paths.

Probably the spookiest of Dickens’ Christmas spirits is the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. This specter is darker and more formidable than either of the previous phantasms. In both of my favorite movie versions of the story, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come is personified as a dark, flowing, faceless creature who stands head and shoulders above Ebenezer Scrooge and who never speaks. He simply points his long, skeletal like fingers to what he wants Ebenezer to see.

When I started thinking about an outfit to typify this gruesome ghoul, I knew I wanted to go with gray colors. I thought gray, rather than a stark black spoke more to the shaded veil our futures seem to be. No one can know the future, but God alone, and I personally would rather not have the so called privilege of knowing what is to be, except that blessed assurance of life with Him, after I die.

There was no doubt, I wanted these pictures, done in a graveyard. The most telling scene in the movie version of A Christmas Carol, is when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come brings Scrooge to a lonely, forsaken graveyard. In his creepy, speechless manner, the Ghost points to a specific, unattended grave, which in overwhelming despair, Ebenezer wipes aside the snow and sees his own name engraved on the stone.

I wanted my look to be work appropriate, so I chose pieces that created a classic monochrome look, but still gave the illusion of movement. I also wanted the layers.

My plaid Style & Co trousers have been around quite a while. I honestly can’t remember if I bought these new or if I got them at a thrift store. Style & Co are still sold at Macy’s.

My gray turtleneck is Worthington brand. Once again, I have had this piece for years and I don’t remember if I got it new at JCPenney’s, or if I thrifted it. Not only is my memory in need of help, so is my waistline. I know the above picture is not the most flattering, but ladies, this is the real me at the current moment. I have a spare tire or maybe two, and I am probably in the worst shape I have been in, in years, due to achey joints, not eating well and not enough exercise. I can’t blame it all on the pandemic, as much as I would like to. Most of it is my very undisciplined nature. Maybe you can relate. I hope so. I really don’t want to feel like I am the only one in this rocky boat. Ha, ha. I am really hoping, that once this busy holiday time is over, I can try to implement a few changes. Never give up!

The light weight shrug that I put over the turtleneck is also Worthington brand. This piece I did buy new at Penney’s. It has an asymmetrical hem, so the longer front pieces can be tied, to create a different look. You can see how I wore it tied with a black maxi dress.

My long, wide scarf was not only a purply gray color, but it had bugs on it, which somehow seemed fitting with the grave theme.

You know me, I had to try keeping in character. Ha, ha. I do look like a fitting specter to haunt this old graveyard, especially in black and white.

Here are my grays together.

Since this was meant to be an outfit, one could actually wear for work, or for a night out, I did have to style it with a few accessories. I chose silver and gray to maintain the monochrome look. A small silver clutch, to give it a bit of bling, a three strand statement necklace and my dark gray Impo ankle boots completed the look.

What do you think of this look? Do you think it personified the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come without looking too much like a costume? A monochrome look in any color can be an easy, fun and interesting way to change up your wardrobe and still look like you put thought and effort into your outfit. Monochrome doesn’t have to be an exact match, but just be pieces with the same color hues and tones. Adding texture is also the perfect way to make a single color scheme look go from boring to fabulous.

This was the last post in my Dickens’ Christmas series. I certainly hope you enjoyed my interpretations of one of my favorite Christmas stories. Be sure to check back on Thursday for a very mischievous, Actual Amy post. Until then, have a great week.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

This week, I am not including any shopping links, for outfits. I hope to resume regular style posts after the first of the year.

Have a great week and a very Merry Christmas!

Color Play - The Grinch - Green, Red and Brown

When it comes to Christmas we are inundated with red, green, silver and gold, but today people are using blues, teals, purples and pinks to decorate their homes and wrap their presents. Check out Liz from With Wonder and Whimsy. I adore her whimsical style and her love for all things pastel. She does such an amazing job decorating for all occasions and Christmas in her home is simply beautiful. See her Holiday Home Tour by clicking on the link.

I love the red and green color combo for Christmas, but it really doesn’t work for many people in a fashion sense. I wanted to show how you could put together a fun, festive red and green outfit that could be easily worn for work and give a nod to our friend, The Grinch.

What could possibly be more fun, than styling my very “Grinchy” work outfit in front of something that looks like it was taken right out of Whoville? This colorful 3D mural is another of the fascinating places at the Toledo Botanical Gardens. This little scene is just outside the Unruly Arts Studio, which is a studio that focuses on providing a creative space for artists with developmental disabilities. Check out their site at UnrulyArts.org , their Instagram page @unrulyartsstudio or their Facebook page.

I have always loved The Grinch by Dr. Suess and my favorite holiday movie version is the animated one narrated by Boris Karloff. I think part of my affection for that version was that I was a fan of Karloff and his horror movies like Frankenstein and The Mummy. However, the movie that came out in 2018, where Benedict Cumberbatch plays our grumbling, green friend, is now my second fave. I actually was reluctant for a long time to watch the Jim Carey version, since I am not a big fan, but I finally did watch it and I was pleasantly surprised. I will say that Jim’s version which was directed by Ron Howard is much more geared toward adult humor, so not as appropriate for younger kids.

I got this Grinch sweater last year when I was working at Kohl’s for the holiday season. I knew I wanted a more typical ugly Christmas sweater and I thought this one was more gaudy with its candy cane stripes and the Grinch’s face plastered across the front, but I still thought it was cute.

My plaid trousers are a thrift store find and are Mossimo brand. I do love plaid in all its forms and while these slacks would feel a little better if I were a few pounds lighter, they still fit. I love that they have the green stripes throughout, and that they have a bootcut silhouette.

My brown, faux leather moto jacket was a thrifted piece from a few years ago and I have styled it on the blog a few different times. You can see it with a maxi dress, a maxi skirt and a pair of plaid crop pants. The name of the brand is Celebrity Pink.

You can see in the above picture I also added a little bit of red jewelry in my wrap around red beads. When these are not doubled they are more of an opera length string. I also threw on a red bracelet.

I decided to use brown for the bag and boots to add to the more grounded vibe. You’ve seen this thrifted brown, corduroy, hobo bag on the blog before. The ankle boots are a Nine West purchase from Kohl’s.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like How the Grinch Stole Christmas? Which movie version is your favorite? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Be sure to check back next week for the final two outfits in my Christmas series. I’ve included a few shopping links for you to check out. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit, Rebecca Trumbull.

A Dickens' Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Present

If you have seen any of the more recent versions of A Christmas Carol, the Ghost of Christmas Present is the one that exudes the festive, living presence of the holiday season. In both the George C. Scott version and the Muppet Christmas Carol version the being known as the Ghost of Christmas present is a jovial, boisterous giant of a character who escorts Scrooge on a tour of Christmas day. The day is filled with food, singing, gift giving and game playing. The joyful Ghost, shows Ebenezer a day made even more beautiful by the love of family and the generosity of his fellow man.

When I began thinking about how i wanted this outfit to look, I knew I wanted it to be bright and colorful. I wanted to present Christmas as a joyful celebration full of life and beauty.

Once again, the Toledo Botanical Gardens provided the back drop for our pictures. They have the entryway into the park so festive and pretty.

Everything in this outfit is thrifted, except for the necklace and boots.

My skirt is another LuLaRoe piece that I found at a thrift store just around the corner from me. It really is a little too long and a tad too big (I rarely have that problem…ha, ha), but I love the floral pattern and it seemed perfect for representing the spirit of Christmas.

My daughter was playing around when she was editing the picture and added a smattering of festive green bubbles.

I found this fabulous Tommy Hilfiger red corduroy jacket at one of our local Goodwills. I haven’t really had a chance to show it off, until I thought about this outfit. I definitely wanted to stick with the more traditional Christmas colors of red and green, so this jacket and the lighter green Sonoma v-neck were a good combination.

I found this long, sparkly, fringe pendant necklace at a thrift store as well. You can’t see it real well in this picture, but the beads have a sparkly, iridescent quality. The picture below, shows you a closer look at the textures of the necklace, sweater and jacket.

You’ve seen this faithful leather, Fossil bag on the blog numerous times. I need to find a smaller wallet to use with this purse, as my current one is too big.

I wanted comfortable boots with this festive outfit, so I chose my suede Massini boots that I found on clearance at Meijer a few seasons ago.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think it represents the Ghost of Christmas Present and all the symbolism that goes with it? I thought it exemplified the idea of life, celebrations and festiveness; all the things that the Ghost of Christmas Present is fond of.

I hope you enjoyed this post and are enjoying my movie inspired outfits this month. It has been fun to see what sort of outfits I could come up with.

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

Have a wonderful day!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Outfit Inspiration - Christmas with the Kranks - Holiday Vest

If you haven’t seen, Tim Allen and Jamie Lee Curtis in the holiday movie, Christmas with the Kranks, it is a must see comedy, that reminds us of the importance of family and of giving to others. When Luther Krank decides to can Christmas and book a cruise for he and his wife Nora, the chaos ensues. From the neighbors demanding Luther release Frosty, so he can be put up on their roof, to the last minute chase for a particular canned ham, the Kranks try their hardest to pretend Christmas isn’t going to happen. That all changes when they realize their daughter, Blair, who was in Peru with the Peace Corp, is coming home and bringing her fiancee.

The character of Nora Krank is someone many of us can relate to. She loves her daughter and is very sad when she flies off with the Peace Corp. She also is a traditional stay at home mom, enjoying all the activities typically associated with the holidays. She even loves to wear festive holiday clothing. When my girls were young, I used to dress a lot like Nora. I would wear the festive turtleneck adorned with Christmas trees, with my colorful Christmas vest donning bells and bows.

I have come a long way since then. Now I more often enjoy graphic tees with a holiday scene or words under a blazer or sweater. I had long since gotten rid of my jazzy Christmas vest. When the thought of doing these Christmas posts came to mind, I started to think, how could I take something like an over the top Christmas sweater or vest and make it look classy and fashionable? This is what I came up with.

I found this snazzy vest at the American Cancer Center Discovery Shop thrift store. They typically feature items that appeal to people whose taste might include things like this retro style vest, but they have a great selection of all different items including glassware, pillows, shoes and bags. The vest is a brand called Erika. I like that the vest is black, because to me it still seems somewhat classy and stylish

My blue, velvet skirt is Chaps brand and was a Kohl’s clearance find a few seasons ago. Velvet is a classic cold weather fabric, but especially so at the holidays. It really dresses up an outfit, and the twirlier the better!

My shiny, cream colored blouse was also a thrift find and is Jaclyn Smith brand. Her brand used to be available at K-Mart. We no longer have a K-Mart in our area, but I do remember her pieces being very classic.

I decided to go with gold for my jewelry and bag to elevate the look just a little more. Plus gold goes so well with the gold bits in the vest.

I chose my Aerosole black heels again. They are comfortable, but still look fairly nice, especially with an outfit like this. I thought blue hose, would be a different option to black and still cover up the legs.

What do you think of this outfit? Have you seen Christmas with the Kranks? When I first watched this movie, I wasn’t sure whether I really liked it, but now I enjoy watching it and there are a few very funny scenes. Sometimes you have to watch something more than once to really appreciate it.

I am including a few shopping links. I wasn’t able to find very many Christmas themed vests, but there were plenty of sweaters, so I included a few of those. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Location Toledo Botanical Gardens.

A Dickens' Christmas - The Ghost of Christmas Past

Today’s outfit draws its inspiration from Charles Dickens’ ghostly apparition of Christmas Past. Before the visitation of the three ghostly characters, Scrooge is visited by the ghoulish presence of his former business partner in life, Jacob Marley. Jacob warns Scrooge that he will be visited by three spirits, for the hopeful purpose of his redemption. The first of these paranormal beings makes their appearance when the bell tolls one.

The idea of drawing fashion inspiration from a ghost, might seem a stretch of the imagination, but I do like a challenge. If you have watched a version of A Christmas Carol, you probably saw the Ghost of Christmas Past as a being dressed in white garments, sometimes shining and sometimes in an unearthly, ethereal manner as if floating and flowing in some unseen breeze. Two of my favorite movie versions of A Christmas Carol are the 1984 drama with George C. Scott, and the 1992 musical, The Muppet Christmas Carol. Surprisingly, the Muppet version stays fairly true to the original tale by Charles Dickens. Both versions are filled with amazing scenery, typical old time London and excellent veteran actors, (the Muppet version stars Michael Caine as Scrooge).

We often shy away from white in the colder weather. It has long been a color we wear in spring and summer. Obviously, things have changed immensely over the last decade, especially as more and more women have access to fashion blogs and more reasonably priced clothing. White is now a year round color choice. It stands true to reason, that if we live in colder areas in the winter, our white pieces will have to be compatible for those frigid temps. This is where layering, fabric choices and textures all come into play.

My daughter and I didn’t have a lot of time for pictures, so we went, once again, to the Toledo Botanical Gardens. They have so many interesting sculptures, garden areas and small buildings used for various events. These metal arches provided the perfect backdrop for an other worldly vibe.

When I started thinking about an all white outfit, I knew that most of my pieces were not a true white. Not everyone can wear a crisp white near their face, but most people can pull off an ivory or a cream. All of these pieces, except the scarf, have more of a cream, or ivory tint to them.

My long, Apt. 9, chenille sweater was a piece my daughter was getting rid of. It wasn’t really her style, so when I saw it, I took it home, figuring I could always just wear it around the house as a cozy topper for casual days. As I thought about how to make this outfit look flowing, but also updated and fashionable, I knew this sweater would be perfect.

The blouse I have on under the sweater is a recent thrift store find and will be more useful in the warmer weather, but the color went well with everything else. The brand is called Mango, and when I saw the embroidery on it, I knew it was calling my name.

I also added this white scarf from The Jacket Society, that I bought a few years ago. You can’t see it in this photo, but the scarf has tiny silver threads through out, so I thought it added an extra element of texture and shine.

The silver snowflake pendant just seemed appropriate for a ghostly, Christmas outfit.

I chose silver for my accessories, to represent the shimmering appearance that many of the Ghosts of Christmas past seemed to have. Perhaps the shimmering details represented good memories from Christmases long ago; or maybe the light represents the idea that we can learn from our past, thus becoming better people. Whatever your interpretation of the details, I think silver looks very pretty with white.

My silver, sparkly clutch has been a regular on the blog. My SO ballerina flats are from Kohl’s.

My cream colored St. John’s Bay corduroys have been around for a few years and were an original purchase at JC Penney.

I really like this outfit. It is something I would feel completely comfortable and warm in and could be worn to a special Christmas outing or just a family dinner, where I don’t have to do the cooking. If I cooked in this it wouldn’t be white anymore. Ha, ha. Here are a few other fun pictures from our shoot.

The wind was helping me look a little more ghostly. Too bad we didn’t have fog. Ha, ha.

What did you think of this outfit? Do you think I pulled off showing how taking inspiration from the Ghost of Christmas Past translated into a chic, modern look that could be worn to work, out on a date or to a Christmas concert?

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

Be sure to stop back on Thursday for another Christmas movie inspired outfit.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

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.

A Dickens' Christmas - Introduction

I love Christmas, and I especially love coming up with outfits around the holidays. If you have been following me for a while, you know I enjoy finding inspiration for my ensembles in all manner of places, from colors in the natural world, like leaves and flowers, to colors and designs in home decor and bathroom tiles. You also know I love using movies and songs around Christmas time to inspire outfits. Last year I used a number of my favorite Christmas carols and songs, some well known and a few that were less popular, to inspire a month of looks that were both somber and understated as well as fun and party ready.

This month I am going to switch from music to movies: from auditory to visual, to inspire my choices for outfits. All my outfits are going to be built around inspiration from a particular character or characters from a Christmas movie. Starting today, and for the next three Tuesdays, I am going to focus on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. It has long been one of my favorite stories from the Christmas season, but it has also become one of my favorite Christmas movies. On the following Thursday of each of those weeks, I am going to resume my monthly columns, but each outfit will be inspired by a certain character in different Christmas movies, which I will share with each post.

When I think of A Christmas Carol, I don’t usually think about the time period during which it was written, other than to see it as a back drop for the fabulous ghost story that Dickens weaves. This year, it struck me to look at what people were wearing during that time period and for this first post use that as the inspiration spring board for my outfit. These outfits are not meant to mimic a time period or character from the movies, but to simply draw inspiration from which to build an outfit I could realistically wear to work, a holiday party or a show.

When I started looking at 1800’s fashion, I was specifically looking at the dress of Christmas carolers. One of the costumes I saw was a long plaid skirt, a jacket with buttons and a tightly fitted bodice, with a small cape over the shoulders. Bonnets were also worn, typically with a large ribbon tied under the chin to hold the bonnet in place. You can see a “costume” version here.

This gray and black, A-line, plaid skirt is from Christopher & Banks from a couple of years ago. While it looks like a wool blend, it actually is a medium weight knit, making it very comfortable, though not quite as warm, thus the heavy weight black tights. It would look cute with black boots and nude hose as well.

I’ve styled this thrifted, red velvet, Briggs New York blazer on the blog two years ago, for this Christmas outfit. The idea to wear it with a white blouse seemed obvious, so I chose my H & M clearance pinstriped blouse from a few seasons ago. I also wanted to add an unexpected element, so I chose this Pepin brand knit vest. I do not remember where I picked this up, but knit vests are trending right now and they are a great way to add an extra layer of warmth around your core. I like both the unexpected color combination and the textural element it adds.

I picked up this paisley scarf at some thrift store along the way a number of years ago. It looks particularly festive for the Christmas season with its reds and greens, making it the perfect accessory to bring this whole outfit together. Instead of trying to tie a bow, I just did a regular knot.

Since the scarf also had blue in it, I decided to carry my blue, textured clutch.

I wanted to wear a heel rather than a flat boot for this look, so I chose my faux suede Aerosoles. The black shoe with the black tights helps to elongate the leg and wearing tights allows you to show off the shape of your gams without the unsightly varicose veins.

Does this look make you think of Christmas carolers back in Charles Dickens’ time period? Is this something you might wear to work at the office on a chilly winter day? You could easily pair it with a different colored jacket or sweater for a completely non Christmas look.

I hope you enjoy this series and will follow along the rest of the month as we look at more Christmas movie outfit inspiration.

I am including a few shopping links, just for fun. These are affiliate links and come to you at no cost. All opinions are my own.

I hope your December is starting off well.

Fall/Thanksgiving Outfit - Maxi Skirt and Pullover Sweater - Dressy

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope your day will be filled with whatever you need to feel peaceful and well. For some that will mean gathering together with family for a feast. Others will, do to the pandemic, opt for a more low key celebration. My husband and I will be on our own. Our older daughter and her hubby are both sick and since I was exposed to them, my hubby and I are self quarantining, so we won’t be seeing our younger daughter or grandson either. I am sure there are many out there who are in similar situations, so please know, you are not alone and you are being thought of and missed by your family. The holidays are proving to be more precious, yet even more difficult with not being able to see those we love, but the key is to try to remember all you do have to be thankful for.

Today, I am thankful for a working furnace, a warm bed and a hot shower. I am thankful for the food we have to eat, even if it isn’t turkey with all the trimmings and I am thankful that our extended family, especially our aging parents are safe and healthy at this point in time. I am also thankful for the sun, when it is shining, because we are already having too many gray days, and I am thankful for the joy associated with the Christmas season, because of what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did for us. Like the Grinch realized when he tried to steal Christmas, it comes anyway, no matter if we have our families, the decor or the food, because Jesus came.

Today, I am showing you the more dressed up version of the outfit from Tuesday’s post. Both the tiered maxi skirt and olive pullover sweater were thrifted. For today, I added a thrifted blazer, heels and bag, to elevate the look.

Out of the three outfit combinations I have done the last few weeks, I feel like the transition from casual to dressy is most evident in this outfit. Each piece that was swapped out or added, to make this outfit more dressy, really seems to add an element of class that is not evident in the more casual outfit. Not that the casual look was bad; it was meant to be casual and looks like the perfect outfit for a day of window shopping or lunch with friends (oh to be able to do that again). This look, while carrying a bit of a boho vibe, is something that could be worn to a show, a nice dinner out or to a Holiday concert.

This thrifted evergreen jacket is a brand called I.S.B.Inc. Not to be confused with IBS, ha, ha, ha! It doesn’t seem to be a brand that exists any longer. There were a few things that popped up on thredup, but that was it. While it is supposed to be a double breasted look when buttoned, I can’t button it. Ha. ha. However, I knew that when I bought it. I like the way the buttons line up down both sides, so it just looks more decorative with the jacket open. Just because a piece doesn’t fit exactly how it was intended, doesn’t mean you can’t use it.

I decided to go with coppery gold for my jewelry as you can see with my charm pendant necklace and my sparkly bracelet. I thought it went well with the whole look and had more of a fall feel.

My bag and shoes are both thrifted pieces. The heeled shoeties are Bandolino and the bag is a brand called Kelly & Katie. You can find Bandolino brand shoes at DSW, Macy’s and other retailers. Kelly & Katie brand is found at DSW and on second hand retailers like Poshmark and thredUp.

The two pieces are different colors. The bag is more of a salmon red and the shoes are more of a burgundy, but when you have them apart, they almost look like they go together.

What do you think of this outfit? What are you wearing for your Thanksgiving day today?

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

I hope you are having a lovely day and are feasting, whether it is just two of you or a few more. I also hope you are finding all the many things you can be thankful for even amid the pandemic and other difficulties.

I am not going to include any shopping links with this post, as you will no doubt be looking at all the Black Friday deals online for the retailers you love to shop at.

Have a lovely day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

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.

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

This week I am taking two more very casual pieces and showing two different ways to wear them, either for a fall shopping trip with friends or for turkey day. I chose a thrifted pair of distressed boot cut jeans and a harvest tee that I recently purchased from Kohl’s online.

I had posted an outfit on my Instagram account that featured a pair of distressed skinny jeans I recently acquire from maurice’s. When distressed jeans really started making a comeback, I was resistant to go all in and get things that were really torn up. I felt that it looked to grungy, but now, several years later, I am much more accepting of these types of pieces as I feel they add an element of texture and uniqueness to an otherwise simple outfit. I still prefer the holes to be lined or at least somewhat opaque as far as skin is concerned, although I do think it looks cute when a person wears fun colored tights under their distressed jeans, so the tights show through.

These jeans are Lane Bryant brand. I have never bought anything from Lane Bryant before, thinking, they were just an underwear company for plus size women. However, what I have discovered after looking over their website, is that they sell all sorts of clothing and accessories from size 12 to 28. I love these jeans and they have easily fallen into one of my favorite jeans, spots. They have a bit of stretch, but always look good when I put them on. They also fit nicely around the waist, with no gaping. Once again, I have found a new brand, that I might consider buying, because I got to try them thrifting.

This Sonoma tee is the perfect balance between casual and dressy with its cursive print and gold leaves and edging on the letters. I don’t have a lot of fall graphic pieces, so when I saw this, I knew I wanted to add it to my collection.

My Tahari sweater was a clearance piece last year from TJ Maxx. You can see how I styled it for a series on wearing white as a transitional piece, here.

This thrifted stained glass necklace, just seemed to go well with the outfit. I love that it almost has a leaf shape to it, which gives the outfit that extra fall feel.

I wanted to stick with the burgundy colors in the letters as the inspiration for the rest of my accessories, so I grabbed my Massini saddle bag purse and my thrifted Puma sneakers to complete the look.

What do you think of this outfit? Is this something you would wear to your Thanksgiving day celebration?

I’ve included a few shopping links, so be sure to check those out. I try to offer pieces that are similar to the ones I show in my posts. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no cost. If you click on a link, I get a few pennies. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.