Sunday, June 25, 2023

Show Your Stripes!


Hello, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

This week, I am wearing two outfits featuring bold striped patterns 
Stripes of all types (rhyming!) are trending this season-no surprise here
Although they are always big for spring and summer-especially those with white in them
 I am a big fan of stripes and wear them year round,
whether trending or not-how about you?
They are such a classic pattern
There is practically an infinite variety of colors and widths stripes,
 and they all look so different
They are a wardrobe workhorse pattern for me, for sure!

My first outfit features a black, white and grey striped skirt in an unusual wrap style
Worn with a white denim jacket and a magenta top underneath for a pop of color



Carrying a bright magenta bag for another matchy bit of color


Simple, casual jewelry to accessorize this outfit 
A 1950's vintage expandable bracelet in purple plastic 
and chunky textured silver tone hoop earrings


Black band strap sandals to finish the outfit



Another stripy summertime outfit,
this one with wide horizontal navy blue and white stripes on the top
Worn with a Kelly green linen blend button front midi skirt
Kelly and navy are a classic color combination
and like this outfit, frequently translate into a nautical look 
There are so many great green pieces to chose from in the shops now
since the color is trending big!






Carrying my 1960's vintage white wicker bag
with the see through front panel and psychedelic print lining!



For jewelry, I chose a few key silver tone pieces 
that work so well in the summertime
A star, or starfish necklace, a link design cuff bracelet,
and large, shiny hoop earrings 


One of my favorite pairs of summer shoes seemed the perfect matchy
bookend for this outfit-navy and white striped lace up espadrilles!



Stripes all over!
A vertically striped ruffle trimmed jumpsuit from summer, 2018



Hope everyone enjoys their week!




 

Sunday, June 18, 2023

It's Hip to be Square-Square Necklines



Hello, welcome! And thanks for stopping by my blog!

Square necklines have been having some time in the spotlight over the past few years
 I first started noticing them a lot in the Cottagecore niche, in dresses, blouses and vests
Now, more pieces with square necklines have moved to grace many other styles, 
and have trickled over to mainstream fashion
I love this style of neckline, and am glad to see it has gained popularity
 and has proven to have some staying power!

My first outfit features a square neckline peplum blouse in a bit of a retro boho style,
with long full sleeves and an all over cheerful multi colored floral print 
I paired the blouse with a super full lilac skirt
that matches one of the minor colors in the top    


Frilly!


Complementing this outfit with jewelry with a slightly boho look, too
Wearing large gold tone hoop earrings, my much loved bow bracelet,
(I wish I could clone this bracelet in every color of the rainbow 🌈)
and a two toned stylized butterfly necklace



It is finally time to get out my summertime purses and shoes!
Carrying a bag that has become one of my go to's 
and you will surely be seeing more of it this season
The natural wicker seems to magically compliment almost every warm weather outfit,
and the sea shell detail 🐚 has a fun beachy, vacation feel to me!


Natural tan braided band sandals to finish the look



Next, a sweet summery dress with a square neckline
It's pretty details include a smocked bodice, 3/4 length sleeves with bows
at the ends, and a ruffled hem full skirt
Oh, and of course I love all the flowers 🌺 🌸 in the print 
 



Carrying another one of my favorite summer bags
It is a 1960's vintage white wicker one, with a plastic see through panel in the front
allowing you to see the fantastically printed lining
(I took out all of the distracting contents out for the photo)


I chose light and breezy summertime jewelry for this outfit
A faux pearl collar necklace and half daisy earrings


Skimmer bow toe ballet flats for a casual look today,
but this dress is very versatile and could easily be dressed up with different accessories 


What's blooming in June?

I look for this Cactus to bloom along the path where I walk at around this time each year
Cacti are rare plantings in my area, but this one must be in just the right super sunny spot
because it really thrives here
This year the flowers have bloomed much more slowly over the course of a week, so far
In previous years they have bloomed and the flowers have faded in a few days
They are a special treat to behold!   






Hope everyone enjoys their week!


 

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Viva La Pinks!

Hello, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

It's no secret that I have embraced the color pink to the fullest
Even more so since Barbiecore has become such a hot and widespread trend!
 My love of pink has been longstanding,
but there were years when I did not wear much of the color at all 
due to fear of not being taken seriously in the workplace
Thank goodness the days when dark, drab colored workwear ruled are (mostly) gone! 


This week I am featuring two outfits dominated by shades of pink
First, a lovely to wear silk shift dress with an all-over wild, stylized floral print
It is in deep and saturated shades of pink, orange and red on a bright pink background
Layering an ivory double layer chiffon peplum blouse over the dress in this outfit






I would love to have these exotic blooms growing in my garden 😍!


To accessorize, I am wearing a pink braided hairband,
and gold tone jewelry
Large flower shaped earrings, and a rhinestone embellished collar necklace


Carrying a white clutch bag, that converts to a cross body style with a detachable strap
I detect a hole in my accessory collection-
I need to shop for a less structured small white bag for softer outfits


Dark pink faux reptile kitten heel slides with bow detail 
seemed the perfect way to complete this colorful outfit



Next, is a dress I last wore on the blog
during the Christmas holidays in a post titled Holiday Flare
Back then, I layered a wine colored cropped cardigan over the dress for warmth
This week, I am wearing it accessorized for spring
The dress is a bold geometric print in bright multiple shades of pink,
with short puffed sleeves and a flouncy bias cut skirt    


All the pink!


Carrying my pale pink heart shaped bag
that blends nicely with the background shade in the dress


The print of the dress is a lot, especially on it's own, so I kept the jewelry minimal
Wearing a simple gold tone hinged collar necklace and bow bracelet  


Pale lilac tie heels to finish the look



Here is a more subtle shade of pink 
in a casual outfit from a spring past, 2019



Hope everyone has a good week!





Sunday, June 4, 2023

Spring jackets

Hello and thanks for stopping by my blog!  

This week I am styling two jackets from my wardrobe 
that are just right for this time of year
Many of us are (still) transitioning to the warm weather 
Although it is June, and the summer equinox is just around the corner,
it has been the slowest, coolest and rainiest spring that I can remember in years!
There will be a beautiful promising sunny day or two in the seventies,
and then back we go to the rainy low sixties for a spell, again 🤷‍♀️ 

Anyway, my first outfit features a classic moto jacket,
you can't beat it for any kind of weather! 
The moto jacket is a versatile staple already in most women's wardrobes
In leather and heavier denim, it is great for the cooler months,
but in a lighter weight denim or a wide array of light weight fabrics
the moto jacket is great for warmer temperatures  

I like the fresh and  unusual twist on this one
 It is made of a boucle fabric in bright white that is perfect for layering
Worn here, all zipped up, over a short crepe blue shirt dress with a white ditsy floral print  
 





Green is a very popular color for this spring and summer,
so I am accessorizing with a pop of Kelly green in a bucket bag 


Wearing one of my many vintage scarves in my hair
I am a native Washingtonian, so this brightly colored one
depicting the Mall and historic landmarks is a sentimental favorite 



Simple silver tone sculptural jewelry to complement the zippers on the jacket


Shiny navy blue patent leather kitten heel sling backs to finish the look



Here is another outfit option for spring featuring a jacket, this one in denim
It is a light wash and slightly distressed one in a retro 70's style 
This style has come back around again with the recent emphasis on the waist
I love the slightly fitted silhouette and the mix of the feminine puffed sleeve caps
 and the western shoulder yoke
The pale pink and white floral blouse underneath is part of a set with a matching midi skirt
Worn with straight leg ankle cropped jeans in a medium wash-
double denim!
 



Carrying a pink fabric tote bag with tanned leather trim
 

For jewelry, I chose some chunky pieces in textured silver tone
The unusual wide cuff bracelet is vintage, and a mix of metal and embossed leather
The double chain link necklace is also vintage, from the 60's
My star shaped stud earrings are current, and  artisan crafted


More accessories to add interest to this basic outfit
A pink and blue paisley scarf in my hair,
and a woven leather belt that I added because in seemed like such a good accent
to the trim on my bag


Tan stacked heel short boots to finish this casual outfit



An outfit from spring 2018
Do you remember when these extra long blazer style jackets
 where having a moment in 2018?



Hope you all have a good week!