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.

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,

Fashion for Fall

I think I've only posted about clothing as many times as I can count on one hand...maybe less. But lately I've been drawn to blogs that throw in a little current fashion. Don't worry, you won't find me snapping pics of myself daily, showing you what I'm wearing...cause let's face it, pajamas or yoga pants aren't all that interesting after the tenth time you'd see them. But I think it's fun to see what people choose to wear. What do clothes really have to say about a person? And besides, we know each other's houses, decor, even what we like to cook.

So...what are your go-to clothes on a normal day out? 

(I'm sure you all realize this isn't me...)

Ralph Lauren Fall 2011

This last six months I've dropped close to 20 pounds.Yes, I still need to take off another 10 or so, but I'm on the road. I'm 5 foot nothin' so 20 is like a miracle for me. Because of that, I'm having a little more fun thinking about what I wear. I'm basically a person that wants to be comfortable. I don't like fussy or fancy. Oh, I love a ruffle and some lace, but usually it's on a top with a pair of jeans. Bury me in my stretch jeans please. I'll be comfortable.

I even gave in to the colored denim trend this Fall...

pumpkin please...

also, brown and black.

And then there was the day I went out looking for a denim shirt.

...and came home with 3 of them.

Also need several of these...

And I identify with Nora Ephron

may she rest in peace.

I'm not happy with my neck...

Good grief, over 50 sometimes is a bummer.

So I wear a bunch of these

(just only one at a time)

 a basic black sweater

or a tailored white shirt.

gotta have some leopard in a cardigan

then give me a pair of boots...

And just this weekend 

I added one of these for those chilly drizzly days.

Now, do you know me a little better?

what about you,

what's your style?

Heading home from a weekend trip,

xoxo,

Fashion Time Warp...or, I really wasn't crazy!

I've had some good laughs reading through the comments for my last post. I knew that the 70's fashion might be a little vague for some of us, and that you younger gals might not be familiar with what was popular back in 1972. Often times fashion comes full circle...the early 70's, not so much.

So I thought I'd give a little fashion show from the time machine, just so some of the younger girls wouldn't think I had totally lost my marbles, or was some kind of "hillbilly gone wild"!

Phrases like "Prairie Dress", "Maxie Dress",

"Gunne Sax" and "Hippie Dress"

were used to describe the height of fashion!

Look familiar?

Now just add the apron!

OK, now I feel better!

Just didn't want anyone out there

to think I was alone on the planet...

"What were you Thinking"!

love ALL you guys,

Debra