What to Wear... on Valentine's Day

Today I was thinking back to the late 80's and 90's when we had a sweater or sweatshirt for every holiday and theme. If the sweatshirts were hand painted then even better. Every store at the mall had their signature styles for the Holiday, and of course Valentine's Day attire needed to be in some hot shade of red or pink. That trend may not be in style this year, decade or even millennium, but we can still pull out some trendy fashion that celebrates this special day! Here are just a few that I thought would be fun, and guess what... some of them are even PINK!

Burberry Pink Trench

Fashion Finds for Summer

Hi Friends, just wanted to share a little post on some Fun Summer Fashion I've found. I love to go shopping, but lately I've let my fingers do the walking and just browse around the Internet. That can lead to finding some great pieces, and some trendy boutique items that are still at good prices. This isn't a sponsored post, just sharing some things I like and have purchased. I love to see what you all are wearing and get some ideas for myself. 

I like a bigger bag, no matter what the season. I have a lot of "stuff" that I seem to need to carry around with me: make-up, meds, contact lens paraphernalia, phone, glasses, sometimes a camera... the list goes on and on. I also like to change out my purses to match my outfit; color coordinate, especially in Spring and Summer when I tend to wear brighter colors.

Gathered #3

Hi Friends, 

I mentioned a few weeks ago, that I was starting a new weekly (or so) post where I had a place to bring together random ideas, pics and inspiration from the Blogging World. I also want to have a place to share with you some things I'm doing and thinking about. I've said before, that I'll never turn into a fashion blogger, (for many reasons) but I like to share a new piece of clothing and how I'm wearing it. Sometimes I get stuck in a rut and I like to see how others are putting themselves together. That being said, I'm in the Over 55 Crowd, so I don't want to look inappropriate, but I do like trendy clothes. 

knock off J. Crew vest

New to me...

I'm frequently the last one to know 

about some amazing item, bargain, or trend.

duh...wow..."isn't that so cool?"

So this post is my latest installment of

"Everyone else may already know... but"

I just had to share this in case there's anyone else out there 

...ah, um...a little uninformed.

this is paper, peeps.

Go-to Summer Looks

Every once in a while I like to dip my toes into the fashion blogging pond. I haven't done that in a long time, but this last Spring I had to do a major purge of my closet(s) because of the move, and that has made me think a lot about my clothing choices.

I've realized that I have "go-to" items and looks. I don't "dress up" often, my dressiest time in ages would be when we head out to our favorite Italian place for dinner on a Saturday evening, or when we're in St. Louis with our kids for a night out. Even the churches here have a "dress down" code, so as not to make people feel awkward or self conscious about their clothing. We live in a very casual little city. We dress up our blue jeans for all occasions. I mean come on, we're the home town of Bass Pro and Branson is just down the road.

I totally love this little lacy tee!

I tend to stick with neutrals in most of my clothing choices, white and gray being my two best colors for warmer weather. In the Fall and Winter it would be gray and black. I like to have basic pieces that I can mix and match and change around for a different look; "Garanimals" for the over 50 crowd. The older I've gotten, the more I've leaned toward keeping things simple and "quiet", both in my surroundings, and in my clothing.

LOVE this lacy cardigan.

Don't have it, but would love to find it.

Love these next two totally classic looks...

And...I don't like heels...on me. I'm short and I look really goofy teetering around on them, but I DO like a little "platform" and something fun and stylish. I don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money on a pair of shoes, but I tried on my first pair of Jimmy Choo's last year and instantly fell in love; didn't buy them but so so comfortable. And belts...all they do is cut me in half and being short, they just don't work for me.

such a great sense of style...

love her shoes...

and bag

but I just can't get into ripped jeans...

Love my skinny jeans (I'm NOT skinny) and stretchy leggings with a long t-shirt or linen shirt and a jacket, khaki or wheat "boyfriend" chino's with a denim chambray shirt, and if it's not a 110 outside I'll have a scarf...or a chunky necklace. I'm the age when I want to cover up as much of my neck as possible...and I'm a total sucker for anything Leopard Print. Summer or Winter it's my favorite "pattern".

 I don't have a source for this Polyvore collection, but it's just my style.

I don't have a count for all my leopard print items, but let's just say they have their own section of my closet. My fave is a leopard print sweater zip up hoodie from last Fall, kind of like this.

I really love having a few pieces of fun jewelry to spice up a look. A casual outfit can be elevated to something fun and funky with a piece or two of eye catching baubles. And speaking of statement jewelry, I bought this wonderful turquoise piece from my sweet friend Rebecca, HERE. Goes perfect with a white shirt or tee and jean jacket.

 love me some accessories...

I've realized that if I haven't worn something for a few years, then it's time to let someone else enjoy it. I'm trying not to give into "impulse" buying, but keeping a plan in my head. I've been guilty of buying something on a whim and then never wearing it because it just didn't work for me, or I wasn't comfortable in it. That's another subject...if it's not easy to wear and comfortable then it's pushed to the back of my closet. I don't like fussy or restricting or "too tight". When we were packing to move, I took all my clothing pieces that I wore over and over out and then scrutinized everything else. I DID keep a variety of black pants from dressy to casual. A black pant or skirt can take you a million places.

I think I gave away about 3/4's of my closet. My mom attends a small church in an older part of town with many people needing financial help, so I send my things to them. So far I haven't missed anything I've given away, fingers crossed for this winter. I tend to live in jeans, sweaters, and boots in cold weather, so I'll probably be OK. 

Where do I shop? I'm a petite, so I have to shop where they are available. J. Jill, Chico's, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Coldwater Creek...they had the best fitting jeans and pants for me. Hope they reorganize soon, I used them for "the basics". I buy accessories anywhere. My trips to STL have resulted in some great shopping, both my daughter's have great fashion sense so they help me put outfits together.

I think it's fun to see fashion pics and choices of individuals. It helps to "get to know them better", and gives us an opportunity to make some buying and giving away strategies for ourselves. Obviously none of these photos are me. And if you'd like to see more fashion fun, then check out my Pinterest boards Here and Here.

now go clean out that closet,

(but have fun doing it)

joining in at The Scoop

xoxo,

In sheep's clothing...

If you know me, then you know my love for lambs and sheep. Combine that with my love for clothing and you can guess where this photo might have been taken. I just had to share this amazing life size sheep "stuffed toy animal" from my recent visit to Brooks Brothers at the Galleria in St. Louis. We were in St. Louis all last week for my husband's ear surgery (details in a moment), but after we had him home and settled in, our daughter and I did what we enjoy most...shopping.

The Golden Fleece has been the logo for Brooks Brothers since the 1850's when they first opened their doors in Manhattan.

When I asked for permission to take a photo, the saleslady said this was from a famous German toy maker. I cannot even imagine how much he might cost...and didn't ask. I just fell in love!

These photos were taken with my I phone, so they're not as clear as I'd like, but you can see how lifelike this fella really is. 

Brooks Brothers is the licensed franchisee for the men's clothing for the movie, The Great Gatsby. I can't wait to see this, it opens next month. I hear it's on a much grander scale than the 70's Robert Redford / Mia Farrow film. If you get a chance, pick up this month's Vogue Magazine for a fabulous spread on the jewelry inspired for the movie from Tiffany's...just breathtaking!

So now for an update on the week. Hubbs inner ear surgery went well, but not without a few glitches. If I had known in advance, I would have been more anxious, but I knew God was in control of this surgery, so I wasn't worried. (The proximity to the brain and brain stem for this surgery cause it to be exacting and somewhat complicated.) Having the prayers of all of you and my family, gave me so much comfort. We're home now and he's taking it easy, but his ear looks a little "worse for wear". We go back for a check up in a month. Hopefully at that point we will have begun to see improvement in his Meniere's symptoms. This has been a long road, but we feel we're in the home stretch. Thank you again so much, for remembering us in your prayers.

I'm sharing this at:

Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
French Country Cottage
The Charm of Home

love ya,