New Year's Eve

Hello, and Happy New Year to you all!

 I would like to express my gratitude to each and every one of you

 who stops by my blog

I truly appreciate your comments and encouragement  

and being part of this wonderfully supportive community! 

New Year's Eve is the perfect occasion to dress to the nines,

so I'm devoting this post to styling two possible outfits to wear for this special evening

I wore the dress in this first outfit on the blog this past summer in a post about the 

sparkling fabrics that have been so popular for the past few seasons

I thought the dress was so pretty, and could possibly be dressed up for New Year's Eve,

so I left it out when I was packing up my summer wardrobe

I think it works well for the festive holiday!

The dress has lovely details, with a smocked bodice and cuffs, sheer floaty sleeves,

and shimmering golden treads running through the fabric

I picked out dainty gold tone jewelry for the occasion,

to compliment the dress 

A collar necklace embellished in rhinestone starbursts,🌟

earrings with cascading stars

and a name bracelet with a rhinestone dot on the "i"

Bling-bling!

Carrying a dusty pink and nude colored bag

that I reach for time and again

This little bag has been incredibly versatile in my wardrobe through all the seasons

I love when purchases turn out to be even more useful and more loved than you think!

Also wearing this dusty pink headband in my hair 

Nude low heel ankle tie pumps to finish this holiday look

More fancy-ness for a New Year's Eve celebration!

This outfit has an alternative mood to the muted tones of the first one

I chose a bright pink smocked blouse with billowy sleeves

and a square neckline

paired with a full black skirt with a lace overlay 

Carrying one of my all time favorite bags-

a hard shell handle bag with a black and white photograph of two playful Beagles

 New Year's Eve is the perfect time to bring out all the sparkly jewelry and accessories!

Wearing a thin black belt, with a metallic studded bow 

For more sparkle, I added a 1950's vintage rhinestone expansion bracelet

and pave crystal and black drop earrings

Black and white micro stripe Mary Jane heels the finish the outfit

A 2018 holiday outfit

This photo makes me nostalgic for pre-pandemic days, 

and hopeful that 2023 and the future beyond brings a new normal

 that includes good things for all!

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

 

It's Christmastime Once More

Hello, and thanks for stopping by my blog

Hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season-

I can hardly believe Christmas is right around the corner once more!

 The days are zooming by, and

in a few short, whirlwind weeks it will be over

I wish I could s-l-o-w down time!

Anyway, any excuse to dress up and wear Christmas red!

For my first outfit this week,

 I started with a super versatile bright red flat knit scoop neck sweater,

and paired it with navy blue straight leg ankle crop trousers

I am incorporating lots of seasonal accessories to turn this into a festive holiday look!

 

 

Carrying my red drawcord pouch handle bag

In the winter, I think it is reminiscent of a mini Santa's toy bag,

in the summer, a picnic sack!

For jewelry, I chose a wide gold tone collar necklace,

green stone stud earrings, and an open cuff bracelet ringed in green stones

Have to give some love to the other Christmas color-green! 🎄

 To add to the fun, holiday vibe of this outfit,

I wore a wide green pleated and scalloped headband,

 and a vintage multicolored plaid scarf tied as a sash belt

 I wear this scarf mostly during the holiday season because the colors

 and print remind me so much of Christmas decorating ribbon

Red knotted vamp D'Orsay pumps to finish the outfit 

My next outfit has lots of wintery texture, in a classic skirt and cardigan combination   

Wearing a soft wool ivory sweater with large buttons and cute curved pockets,

layered over a red top

Paired with a pleated skirt in a nubby woven stripe pattern

Just a few 🙄 red accessories give this classic look some festive pops of color!

A wide red woven belt, and bright red hair band

Carrying the same red bag as the first outfit

Black and tan toe cap sling backs with block heels the complete this look

Sharing this cute decor on a neighbor's lawn 

I'm ready for Santa!

Since I usually post on Sunday, and next Sunday is Christmas Day,

so I plan to post next week with some New Year's Eve outfit ideas  

Hope to see you then!

Also, hope everyone catches the spirit, and is enjoying the holiday season!

 

Holiday Flare

Hello, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

Oh my gosh, the holiday season is upon us again🎄

It creeps up, but then zooms by so fast! 

 I am happy to share a few festive looks with you today

There are a lot of eye catching prints in the shops this season

So much color and cheerful pieces to choose from!

 I couldn't help falling in love with this eye popping graphic

in shades of pink, wine and orange 

It is a simple shape, a flared skirt midi dress with short, puffed sleeves

The print however, is joyous and festive

Worn under a deep magenta cardigan for the season   

I picked out some bling that I don't wear very often for this outfit

An amethyst expansion bracelet, 

silver tone star post earrings with large rhinestone centers

and a very special vintage 20's/30's shield shape rhinestone brooch

All the sparkles! 

Carrying my 3-D metallic silver hard shell clutch

It's Christmas-why not do it up with all the sparkles in one outfit!

Black D'Dorsey pumps to finish the look

Another festive outfit for the holiday season

This one combines two high contrast black and white pieces

A sweet puffed sleeve blouse with a tiny repeating geometric print and trimmed collar,

paired with a heavily embroidered black and white border design flared skirt

I have had this skirt for a number of years 

It has been a great wardrobe stretcher

 to mix and match with different tops for holidays and special occasions 

For jewelry I chose a sparkly silver tone open cuff bracelet 

and large flower shaped 🌺 red enamel earrings 

To make the outfit even more festive for the holiday season-

 carrying a red baguette clutch bag,

and wearing red suede Mary Jane pumps with bows

Some festive outdoor decorations around the neighborhood 

A giant snowflake design tree ornament ❄️   

This Disney character inflatable group is in a neighbor's yard

 who has two elementary school age kids-so much fun! 

Many of us are still feeling cautious about large gatherings and crowded indoor spaces

nearly three years into Covid

 I love that a lot of people are decorating their outdoor spaces and windows 

to the hilt this year for all to enjoy!

 

I hope everyone's is having a good holiday!

 

Fall Layering with Jackets

Hello and thanks for stopping by my blog!

This week I am featuring two outfits with a jacket layer

Blazers, shackets and all types of jackets are trending this fall

They are perfect for the season and the weather 

Here in Maryland, and in most of the country

 except the (supremely lucky) southernmost states,

the temperatures are dropping below freezing and the layers are coming out in full force!

My first jacket layer outfit features a classic red wool double breasted blazer

 It is vintage, from the 80's by the company Jordache

I was very fortunate to find this piece some time ago in perfect condition

Vintage wool items that have escaped moth damage are rare!

 

Fun fact:  Jordache was one of the first companies

 to manufacture and popularize designer jeans back in the late 70's and 80's

 Vintage jeans from Jordache have quite a cult following today,

and the company is currently relaunching a denim line with Brooke Shields modeling

What comes around, comes back around! 

Wearing this gem of a blazer

 with a black tank style blouse and black pleated knee length skirt

I am happy to say that all of the pieces from this outfit 

 are remixed from my closet from previous seasons

Carrying one of my vintage red bags, from the 1950's

Accessorizing with a bold gold tone buckle cuff bracelet, 

mustard yellow belt and embossed post earrings

Wearing a bright multi colored and elaborately printed neck scarf  

You can't really see the motif very well when wearing it,

but the scarf is a magnificently detailed  zodiac print design

Black block heel loafers to finish this classic decade hopping look!

My next outfit features a current shaw collar blazer 

 I like the relaxed, but not too oversized proportions of it

Later in the season, a heavier layer can be worn underneath 

This mauve-ish color has been a bit of a challenge to work into my wardrobe

At first glance, I saw a lot of possibilities with this color

When I got it home and started 

   mixing it with the pieces I thought it would blend with from my closet,

 I discovered it doesn't mix so well

The jacket is a clash with all of my pinks,

 so I decided to try it with my favorite neutral-navy blue

Tailored roll and tab sleeve blazer under a navy blue "V" neck top

with dark wash boot cut jeans

Carrying a camel tan and snake print handle bag

with a multi colored scarf tied to the handle

Accessorizing with a tan belt with silver tone buckle,

blue multi purpose tie as a necklace and silver tone star stud earrings

(Ignore the hair band, I was going to wear it, but changed my mind)

You can't see them in this outfit picture, due to the longer jacket and front view,

but I'm loving the Y2K inspired back flap pocket revival on these jeans!

Braided faux suede block heel slides to finish the outfit

What are your favorite layers for this time of year?

Hope you all have a good week!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Hello, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

For the Thanksgiving holiday this year I chose two outfits that are a little bit dressy

 My goal with these outfits is to project a positive, upbeat vibe

 and a little bit of dress up fun can help

It has been a difficult year, so I am striving to spread as much warmth and happiness

as I possibly can!

My first outfit is not a natural choice,

 it took some playing around with and thinking outside the box

It was a fun and creative process, and I am pleased with the way it turned out

(this time!)

Wearing a tan perforated leather jacket with white trim

 over a white camisole top

Paired with a brick red floral midi skirt with an asymmetrically ruffle

These are season spanning pieces, but I have never worn them together,

and usually choose them for spring

Together with the fall accessories, 

I think the pieces give a festive, autumnal vibe

Carrying a red square quilted bag

This bag is by Mango, and has a convertible chain cross body strap

I have gotten a lot of us from it, but faux leather tends to have a short life span

and it is starting to flake and show signs of wear-

too bad, I would love to clone it! 

I picked out subtle, lustrous gold tone jewelry for this look

A collar necklace with discs all around, a yellow and rose gold wrap bracelet

and ball stud earrings

Tan suede mules with stacked wooden heels

to finish the outfit

I am loving the deep magenta 

 that is in the palette for fall and winter this year 

With the Barbiecore craze, every shade of pink is trending

The deep shade of this shirt is a favorite

Wearing a tailored button down in a saturated shade of magenta tied at the waist

over a sleeveless cobalt blue flare skirted dress

I chose bold gold tone jewelry to complement the intense colors of this outfit

A collar necklace of "V" shaped links, a triangular blue dyed fossil bracelet

and embossed stud earrings

I chose bold gold tone jewelry to complement the intense colors of this outfit

A collar necklace of "V" shaped links, a triangular blue dyed fossil bracelet

and embossed stud earrings

Carrying a bright pink fold-over flap bag 

Wine colored suede asymmetrical strap heels to finish the look

The photo below is from fall, 2018

I am wearing the same dress as the outfit above, in a similar color combination, 

but with a bell sleeve magenta and cobalt lace print blouse underneath the dress

Still a lot more ways to restyle this dress!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this year

Stay safe and enjoy!

I'm taking a little holiday blog break

See you in December, when the world turns from orange to red and green🎄!