Monday, January 29, 2024

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!

Monday, January 22, 2024

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!




 

Monday, January 15, 2024

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!

 

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

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!