Plaid: A Winter Favorite Print

Hello, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

It is the coldest part of mid-winter for many of us,

and we are clad in our cold weather favorite warm and toasty clothes

Except, of course, for those lucky few who are currently

 basking in the sun on a tropical vacation!

The festivities of the holidays are over, and spring is still a long way off

I would prefer to be snugly wrapped in a cozy blanket now, 

with the outdoor temperature below freezing and the wind howling

  I am so thankful for central heating in winter!

I will pay for it though, when that $300 heating bill comes 😲

 I think now is the perfect time to feature some winter plaid!

My first outfit is a heavyweight cotton plaid pleated dress

in shades of brown, tan and ivory

To ward off the chill,

 I am layering an ivory double breasted cropped corduroy jacket over the dress  

I have also worn this dress during the fall with a long sleeve blouse underneath

It has such beautiful graphic beaded detail around the neckline

but it is mostly covered up by the jacket in this outfit

Although this is sleeveless dress and would work in the spring and summer,

 I don't think I have ever worn it during the warmer seasons

 because the pattern and colors say fall and winter to me

 

Carrying a structured metal frame bag covered with laser cut leather

that look like the rays of a brilliant sun

For jewelry, I chose my hand crafted leather rose brooch,

roses and rosettes are very trendy now, but I have had this pin for years-

what goes around inevitably comes back around!

Also wearing a hinged bar bracelet and bar post earrings

Neutral tan block heel horsebit detail pumps to finish the outfit

The formula for my second outfit is tried and true, and suits almost every body.

Plus it works for all seasons and for most occasions-so versatile 

You know what it is-trusty denim and a blazer

For this time of year, I chose a thick fabric double breasted longer blazer in a large 

but subtle plaid color palette of ivory, tan and navy blue

Worn over an ivory rib knit top, and with dark wash denim boot cut jeans

An outfit that never fails!

For jewelry, I picked a blue multi-purpose tie with a delicate metal chain edge 

instead of a necklace

Distressed metal cuff bracelet and washed silver tone and faux pearl bead hoop earrings

Carrying an off-white buckle trimmed satchel shoulder bag,

and wearing perforated western look slides with a wooden block heel 

Hope you are all cozy and comfortable

and have a good week!

Houndstooth Pattern-Large and Small

Hi, I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend,

and thanks so much for stopping by my blog!

This week I am layering up two outfits in houndstooth check patterns,

both in a favorite winter color combination of red, white and black

Since it is the last week of January, which is usually the coldest month of the year for us,

 woolly houndstooth pieces seemed just right for the below freezing temperatures

Do you have any favorite, go-to seasonal color combinations?

My first outfit, is a knee length jumper dress in a large black and white houndstooth check

Layering a cozy bright red long sleeve ribbed turtleneck underneath

to give the outfit a bit of a retro 60's vibe,

 because that is the direction this dress was taking me!

 

Carrying a camel tan croc embossed handle bag

For jewelry, the gold tone initial necklace has a throwback look with this outfit,

and my red plastic expansion bracelet is vintage from the 50's

More touches of red in crafted heart shape stud earrings

Two tone black and tan slingback MaryJanes to finish the outfit

 

For my second look this week, I am wearing a wool blend short double breasted jacket

with a very different houndstooth look 

The pattern is very small and subtle 

It is black and white, like the one in the first outfit,

 but comes across as grey at a distance

Pairing it with a red mock neck ribbed top

and a dark grey heather skirt with center front zip detail 

You have seen this favorite 60's mod vinyl bag before

I have been choosing it a lot lately, it just seems right with almost everything

Wish I could time travel back to the 60's to buy it in every color it came in!

Love to mix vintage and retro with new

especially in my jewelry and accessories

For this outfit, I picked out the same 50's red expansion bracelet,

with 60's silver tone wing shaped clip on earrings

and a current hammered silver tone collar necklace 

Grey suede cross strap block heel pumps to complete the outfit

The lovely Tundra swans that migrate to the Chesapeake Bay

for the winter are a joy to watch during the winter months!

 Hope you all stay warm, and enjoy your week!

 

Pleather and Faux Suede

Hello and welcome-thanks for stopping by my blog today!

January is here, along with the truly wintery weather-

 Unless, of course, you are fortunate enough to live in the southernmost regions of the US

or in the southern hemisphere  

Where I live, in Maryland, the winters are relatively mild (compared to the northern states)

We usually have continued temperatures below freezing for about ten weeks,

with January and February being the coldest months 🥶

So now is the time when I pull out my heaviest fabrics, 

like leather, suede and their faux counterparts

So many advances have been made in pleather and faux suede 

in recent years, with lighter versions of these textiles

that can be worn all year round. Think of the recent leather shorts trend!

How about you, do you have any lightweight leather or faux suede

that you wore during the past spring and summer season? 

Any favorite pieces this winter season? 

My first outfit for this post

is built around a pleated faux leather midi skirt in burgundy 

I wore it with a high contrast black and white grid pattern blouse,

under a black semi fitted blazer style jacket with pleather trim and zipper collar detail

Since all things silvery and metallic are trending this winter

I chose lots of silver tone jewelry and accessories to complement this outfit

A unique leather and metal wide cuff bracelet I purchased on Etsy,

and a hammered silver tone collar necklace with grey quartz stone back to front earrings

More silver in an old favorite quilted metallic satchel bag

and metal bar decorated grey leather belt

I picked out chunky footwear for these heavier fabrics

Cordovan color block heel loafers to finish the outfit

My second outfit this week combines both faux leather and faux suede worn together!

Wearing a light, dusty green A-line pleather dress layered under a tan faux suede jacket 

  I wore this dress with a short sleeve blouse under it,

  in a post about muted color tones back in the fall

Carrying a pinkish nude structured bag

to lighten up the look,

and to blend with the pastel pink shades in my neck scarf

For jeweley, I choose a gold tone hinged bar bracelet

and circle earrings

Tan cross strap block heel pumps to finish the look,

in keeping with the light neutrals of the outfit

Stay safe and warm and enjoy your week!

 

Black is Back

Wishing each and every one of you a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year!

The color black has been big on the runways for this fall and winter season,

so I chose two predominantly black outfits for this first post of 2024

Will you be wearing the color black this season?

Or maybe mixing some black accessories into your outfits?

I thought the short sleeve graphic black and white sweater 

presented the perfect message and mindset to start off the new year!

Spread kindness and love ❤️, take time to smell the flowers 🌸, 

(plant some too, if you are able, I think mother earth would greatly appreciate some TLC), 

and strive for harmony and balance in all the diversity and wonder of the world!

The black skirt I am wearing is a soft and cozy wool one from the 80's 

  

Carrying my favorite unusual mod red vinyl handle bag 

from the 50's/60s with great silver tone metal hardware!  

I added some more popping red accessories, as I am prone to do

Red wired tie worn around my neck, fashioned into a sort of rosette,

as roses are another big trend this year

Hand crafted red heart earrings, a  peace symbol ☮️ red leather bracelet  

with a silver tone hinged sphere bracelet  

Black suede pointed toe block heel slingback to finish the outfit

Another graphic black and white outfit to start the new year

A cropped cardigan with a swirling print reminiscent of the psychedelic 60's! 

Worn over a base of black:  Ribbed knit tank and high waisted flared denim jeans 

Another favorite vintage bag, from the 60's

that I carry quite often

It's unembellished simple shape goes with many outfits

I chose some organic shaped silver tone jewelry to compliment the swirling pattern of the cardigan

Hinged collar necklace, love knot bracelet and large hoop earrings

A few more accessories to add to the retro 60's feel of the outfit

Black and white print head scarf and wide red woven leather belt

The outfit accessorized in this style seemed to call for some chunky shoes,

and these cordovan block heel loafers are the closest thing in my wardrobe

I could come up with

Hope everyone has a good week and a great start to the new year!