Discoveries

With this mornings photo shoot(that sounds so cool), I discovered a few things.

#1  I really like my new shoes.  Bought these at Old Navy just a week ago, on sale, with a coupon and another discount on top of it.  Lets just say they were super duper cheep;-)



#2 The lighting is perfect this time of morning as I only had to take just a few photos without the help of my handy dandy photographer (insert hubby here).

#3 These colors and textures go well together. 

#4  These are my favorite bracelets aside from the tennis bracelet I got for my birthday a couple of years ago.

#5 Last, my dog likes to skulk around in the morning with a tennis ball in her mouth.  

Cardi-Gap clearance, Dress-Target clearance w/coupon and gift card, belt-ON clearance, shoes-ON, earrings-Target 

Neutrals

Just another neutral day for me today.  It appears I have grown into this skirt that was far too big for me just a few months ago.  Guess this is my sign that I need to go work out, like now!

There is a jacket that goes with the skirt but I worried it would make me look even bigger so I nixed it early on in the day.

  I've been reading a lot of blogs lately about what women should wear once they cross over that forty threshold. I'm concerned about many of the tips and tricks I've read about.  There's no doubt one should dump the frumpy, ill fitting clothes that usually are associated with women my age, but don't go the extreme route and start dressing like your teenager.  If you're not willing to be bold and daring at first stick with neutrals.  They're always a safe color to work with and once you are comfortable picking something that's stylish just add a small pop of color or texture.  I added an animal print belt here with this outfit simply because I felt there was just too much neutral going on.  Start small and work your way up to fashionable you.

Is it Monday or...

Do you ever find yourself asking that question after you've had a Monday off?  Well, I find myself asking that question at the beginning of every week, so holiday aside, it's a problem for me. Memorial Day is always tough to enjoy for me. As my husband reminded me, Memorial Day is for those who've fallen and Veterans Day is for those who lived.  I thought a lot of my father yesterday and I still long to hear his laughter.

 Still feeling drained after another long very busy weekend, all I want to do when getting dressed in the morning is to put on the closest Maxi dress and chill in that all day.  I think today's Maxi dress is probably the equivalent to yesteryear's Muumuu, don't you? But because I don't want my husband to have the permanent vision or thought of me living in my Maxi dress, I decided it was best to get dressed, for real.

This pic was taken before I left the house.  Thinking I had loads of time I tried to get the photos myself without the assistance of my trusty photographer. Freshly showered, makeup done, Tide smelling clothes, I was ready for a full day of challenges. It was chilly out, so a cardi was in order. By the time I got home though, the jewelry had come off, makeup was worn, I could no longer smell the Tide and my feet hurt from being in heels all day:-)

For some reason the hubby thinks taking pics of me looking at my feet are cool.  Ehh, let him have it.

I know my heels are old, but I still love my pointy toes.  I bought these some time ago at Famous Footwear along with a black pair and a leopard pair.  The leopard pair have long been given away, but I hang on to the black and grey because of their neutral color and loads of possibilities.   

  

 Jeans-Banana Republic, Top-Target, Cardi-ON refashioned, Belt-NY&Co, Necklace-ON refashioned, Heels-Steve Madden from Famous Footwear, Ring-F21
.

Dinner With Friends

It's Saturday and I'm sooooo tired but we had scheduled dinner with friends we haven't seen in nearly a year.  So, believe me when I say I had a sudden burst of energy when I remembered we were going to dinner with them.  I didn't realize how much I missed them until I laid eyes on them.  I apologize for the grainy pictures but my husband clearly had way too much to drink at dinner as he was in no mood to play photographer.  So I was on my own.  Lots of smiles=lots of wine.  Dinner was at a winery so what do you expect?  I've also had lots of typos and there will probably be many more I didn't catch.  We'll see in the morning.  

This look was inspired by Audrey at Putting Me Together.  I don't like to copy other's looks but this one caught my eye in the wee hours of the night and I just had to use it for dinner tonight.    

Dress, Belt, Shoes-ON all on sale. Bracelets-Kohls, Earrings-Target

Casual Friday

Ah yes, the weekend has begun. Truth be told my weekend started at 0430 this morning.  I think most will be able to tell I was just too tired to find anything fancy.  But I figured since our building would be nearly empty if not completely empty, this would suffice.  

I've worked hard not to repeat an ensemble and I think I can still go awhile without doing so but I would need to incorporate more black.  I'm trying not to do that but I just have so much.

 I've had this jean jacket for about 7 years now and I've rarely worn it.  It goes so well with everything and I think it's a keeper.  The t-shirt had a collar on it that nearly choked me to death every time I wore it so I decided to cut it off.  I originally wore this with a belt around my waist and the shirt left out but then I stumbled across a blog where the young lady used knots to cinch up the shirt and create a waistline.

 Jean jacket-ON, T-shirt-Kohls, Skirt-Target, Gold bracelet-Iraqi Gold, a gift from my ex-husband when he returned from Iraq, brown beads-WalMart, Sandals-WalMart.

I'll try to post this weekend for sure.  Have a good one!

Salmon and Variations of the Color

I love the color Salmon. Coral makes me happy too.  In fact just about any variation of the color orange and pink delights me these days.  I read yesterday that Coral and Salmon are colors that just about anyone, any age can wear.

I really hope that's true as I've been hunting around for the color in everything from clothes to nail polish.   I remember as a child my mother telling me that coral wasn't my color, but every time I wear it I get loads of compliments.  So until someone else tells me it's downright ugly on me, I'll keep on wearing it. And, let's not forget my hair color has changed and it seems to go nicely with the tank as well. Coupling this tank with a light gray cardi got me to feeling a little summery. 

Great thing about todays ensemble is it's age appropriate. I'm not young but I'm not old either. 

I'm just right:-) 
Yes, that's my dog behind me.

Tank-The Closet, Cardi-Wet Seal, Jeans-Gap, Heels-Steve Madden DSW,
Bangles-Target, Ring-F21, Necklace-Boston Common

 

Just One of Those Days..

when you really don't want to get dressed but you know you have to.  No matter,  I proceeded to drag myself out of bed and slowly but surely got dressed for work.  I knew today was going to be a slacker day for sure, so I decided to dress the part. T-shirt and jeans is really a no no at work most days, but I figured if I covered it up with a cardi or lightweight blazer I'd be good.  After walking outside both of those options were lost. It was far too hot for those but I remembered a  tutorial I read here. 

Very quickly I dug around in my husbands drawers and found a black t-shirt for which I began to snip away. 

 In no time I have a stylish vest to wear.  I even had a few minutes to spare so I made another one in white.

 Jeans and flats-ON, T-shirt-The Closet, Vest-DIY with an old T-shirt, bracelets and earrings-Target, Necklace-gift from my daughter. 

Trying to be serious now:-)

Necklace is made of spoons.  I loved it the day I received it and glad to have finally been able to wear it.  

Shiny Tuesday

 So as each day goes by, I try to find something to wear that's age and work appropriate. I am learning that I'm not as inept at styling my clothing as I thought.  I like the risks I'm taking with color, accessories and overall styles that I choose.  Today, I dug even deeper into my closet where I found two dresses my husband gave me for our first Christmas together.  I remember at the time thinking, "I'll never go anywhere that I can wear these."
Well, guess what?  I figured out where and   
how I was going to wear these dresses. The hubby had me cracking up again as he tried to pose behind the camera.  It's so funny to see this big guy posing the way he wants me to pose, just gets me every time.

Dress is Romy purchased at the mall some time ago, Cardi-Wet Seal, Shoes-Shoe Dazzle, Earrings/Bracelets/Watch-Target, Necklace-The Closet for $1.99

Imagine how happy it made me to put this together and to see that it actually works.  The dress is this silky satiny piece with short sleeves and it feels wonderful on the body. The cardigan I purchased some time ago at Wet Seal.  It works with this dress because the cardi creates this empire waist illusion. I didn't need to use the belt that came with the dress.  Although now that I think of it I could have used it as a head band. That may have been too much. I was a bit worried about the shoes until I realized the little insert that was the same color as the cardi.  "Why not?", I thought.

Refashioned Capris

Remember these?This is before. 

Longer capris that were wide legged. I purchased these back in 2007 I think and haven't worn them much because I really didn't like the wide leg on them.  So today, I finally had a bit of time to refashion them into these.

 Work shorts.  I love them.  I've been asked twice today where I got them. I liked wearing them because it was so hot out and I just couldn't imagine being out in that heat in a full pant suit and I really didn't feel like having to cinch my skirt down every few yards.  I think they turned out great.  Let me know what you think.

Capris turned work shorts-NY&C refashioned, top-NY&C last season's clearance, earrings and bracelet-Target clearance, shoes are also Target purchased more than five years ago. Red Hair-Garnier Nutrisse in Sweet Pepper #69.

Thursday Texture

The hubby likes the action shot. Unfortunately it takes a lot of shots to get the good ones.  This color has just captured my interest and it seems I'm digging out a lot of things that have this combination as well.  

 I posted for Mission: Put Together again today not knowing if you could count linen as a texture.  It seems to me that you could, but we'll see.  I loved this top the instant I saw it from the front of the store.  It's a chiffon type of fabric and drapes well I think.  I'm glad I got a medium and not a small.  Only $9 from The Closet on the strip in Oceanside.  The bracelets I've had forever and a day.  I can't remember where I got them, I just know I didn't get them as a gift.

Top-The Closet, Cami-Costco, Linen slacks and belt-Venice, Italy, Sandals-ON, earrings-gift from Tiff, bracelets-can't remember.

I just love this belt too.  It came with the linen slacks I purchased in Italy back in 2006. I'm surprised they still fit.  I love linen slacks, I just hate ironing them:-(  

No work...Only Play

I'm on leave this week so I'm not dressing for work only play.  The only problem with that is I have a tough time getting up and getting out of my maxi dress, putting on my makeup and really looking for something that makes me feel put together.  When I cleaned out my closet, not only did I find I had tons more black clothing, but I have some really cute tops I've never worn to include this ruffled top I just adore.  I love how it makes my arms look and the ruffles up front add dimension.  It's cool and comfortable and I really needed that for today was a hot one.

  

 You've seen these capris before. Purchased at Ross I have discovered I can wear them with so many things.  I had originally paired this ensemble with my staple white and mirrored sandals.  My girlfriends informed me that I needed a pop of color on my feet. Sandals from Payless were in order.

I loved the belt I added to this. 

I'm really hoping I can pull myself together again tomorrow and get out to town wearing something other than VS sweats and a tank top.  I really like how I feel when I'm put together. It makes me feel all grown up;-)

Top-Body Central, Capris-Ross, Belt-NY&C, Ring-F21, Earrings-Target, Sandals-Payless

I'm Blue

I am blue now that my daughter has gone home to PA. Probably not as blue as this skirt though! Just so you know, I haven't completely exhausted my supply of black clothing. I just saw this skirt hanging in my closet with the tags still on it.  I bought this at NY&C's online clearance last summer.  The tag said original price was $31, but I got it for $12 on clearance along with a few others I'm gonna be trying soon.  

The top started off a bit more different than this.  This pic was taken after I had removed the sleeves and the little blue camisole thingy that was attached in the middle of the chest area. It has this crazy design I've never seen before.  It looks something like a cross between tye dye and mazes. 

        .

My shoe is hurting me.

       Oops, my dog dropped her ball in the pool.

Okay, fine, I'll do my best Marilyn Monroe impression.

Top-$1 pile sale in LA, Skirt-NY&C clearance, Cardi-ON clearance, Blue Suede Shoes-Shoe Dazzle, Bracelet, earrings and watch-Target