Visible Monday Mingle

Visible Monday with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style and Monday Mingle  with the Bon Bon Rose Girls makes Monday's so much more fun. I have been saving this outfit for a while and decided that today was the day to wear it. I love turquoise and apple green together. My blouse has those colors in it to pull the outfit together. We only went to Walmart Neighborhood Market and to breakfast so it wasn't visible for a very long period and I doubt anyone even noticed my outfit. However, I felt visible and happy in it. One side of my collar kept flipping up and of course my photographer did not notice it and tell me to fix it or the piece of hair that stuck out funny. Oh well, since I don't pay him I guess I should just keep quiet about it.

Jacket: Chico's faux leather
Blouse: CJ Banks
Tee: Coldwater Creek
Jeans: NYDJ Coated Denim
Shoes: Joseph Seibel
Belt: From France Luxe

These Not Your Daughter's Jeans are among my favorites. They are a coated denim and fit like a dream. They aren't tight around the waist and fit very well through the hips and thighs. If you haven't tried them, I would say to at least try them on. While they are more expensive than other jeans, they can be found on sale and even at full price are worth it for the fit. I bought these myself at full price, so it is a very honest review.

Necklace: Chico's

The little white rectangular piece on the necklace is going to be removed. I kept thinking it was a price tag, so I am sure other people probably will too, so it will be taken off before I wear this again.

Please make your Monday better by visiting the linkups Visible Monday and Monday Mingle. 

OOTD & The Good & Bad of Fashion Blogging

First, the good part of blogging. I would like to say thank you to Wendy Brandes for featuring several over 40 bloggers (including over 60 me) in her feature, Fashion Bloggers Flaunt Blue-Collar Pride, in the Stylelist on HuffPost. Wendy is such a wonderful person. She supports those of us who are not 'famous bloggers.' She doesn't have to, but she comments on our blog posts which means a lot to me. The first time she commented on my blog I thought "Oh, wow, now I feel like I am a real blogger!" It reminded me of the movie "The Jerk" where Steve Martin's character gets the phone book and says:

"Nothing? Are you kidding? Page 73 - Johnson, Navin R.! I'm somebody now! Millions of people look at this book everyday! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity - your name in print - that makes people. I'm in print! Things are going to start happening to me now."

It was a big thrill for me to have my picture in her article. I know that I am not beautiful or thin and I sure don't have the money to spend on clothing and accessories that some of the more well known bloggers have, but she made me feel like a million dollars. Thank you Wendy, you are the best!

Also good is a group of over 40 bloggers that I feel that I am a part of and those women make blogging so much better. It is so nice to read their comments on every post and know that they are standing behind me supporting me with their care. Thank you all (and you know who you are.) That I have younger women who also take time to read and comment on my blog makes an over 60 blogger so happy. Thank you all too! 

Now for the outfit.

Jacket: Target
Blouse: Old Navy
Cami: Chico's
Jeans: French Dressing Jeans Silk Touch Denim Jeggings
Boots: Aerosoles

Necklace: Chico's
Nail polish: Sinful colors Tapping Nails

I love, love, love this blouse. I got it at Old Navy on sale. I really needed a size larger, but they did not have it and online it is not on sale. What's up with that? I did order a couple of tops from Old Navy online. This top fulfills my desire for a "bird top." I have seen so many bloggers wearing bird prints and I wanted one so much. Which brings me to the bad part of fashion blogging. I see so many things worn by other bloggers that I would love to have. I can't afford a lot of the things I see like Balenciaga or Chanel handbags, or Louboutin shoes, or designer clothes. I can try to emulate it less expensively, but it still costs money and time to hunt for the prize. I have got to stop wanting and start being satisfied with what I already have. I am just not sure how to do that other than never look at another blog. I sure don't want to have to do that. How do you control yourself? My willpower has been sorely lacking lately. 

On a related note, my credit card company contacted me today to ask about some charges on my account. My card has been compromised somehow. So, now my only credit card account is closed and I will have to wait 10 to 14 business days for a new card to be issued which means no online purchases for me. What a hassle, but I am so thankful that my card company is so vigilant!

Tiger again

I got a compliment when I wore this jacket from a lady who said she loved anything animal print. I love the jacket but it is a bit hard to style because it is such a bold print. Today I wore it with all black and added my orange booties instead of the usual red that I would put with it. 

Jacket: Chico's
Tee: Chico's
Jeans: NYDJ Coated Denim
Booties: Nine West

Necklace: Chico's
Bracelets: L to R
Spoon Bracelet w/ "D" Monogram - Etsy
Michele watch
Rest of them Yurman
Nail polish: A England Bridal Veil

Blogger is not co-operating with me tonight. It is not letting me use IE to edit and then in Google Chrome it is acting weird too. I have this fear that my computer is getting too old for all the new changes being implemented.  


Fortunately, I was able to edit the .html file. A couple of years ago, I was really good at writing HTML code. Now, I am so far behind that a lot of it is  like reading a foreign language. It scares me to think of how much things will change in the next 10 years. I'll probably have to get some first grader to help me blog by then. Do you ever feel a bit overwhelmed by technology? 

Visible Monday #34

Another Visible Monday with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style.  I cannot believe how quickly each Monday rolls around. In order to have this outfit ready for VM, it is not what I am wearing on Monday; I actually wore it to breakfast with my husband.

This outfit is comprised of pieces you have seen before. I am trying to take note of the items that I seem to go to most often. I love the colors in the blouse and of course a navy jacket goes with so many things. I decided that I needed to start wearing my cowboy boots more, so I did.  An acquaintance has a pair that she wears with everything and she always looks so unique and cool.


Jacket: Chico's
Blouse: Foxcroft via eBay
Jeans: French Dressing Jeans
Boots: Old Gringo
Flower pin: Etsy

 

Chiffon flower from etsy seller tijusai

I have seen several bloggers wearing chiffon flower pins and I wanted one so much. I find so many lovely things on Etsy and these flowers were no exception. This flower is actually a bonus flower the seller sent me with my order of 3 other flowers.  I will wear the others soon because I just cannot wait to wear them. 

Friday I went to our local Women's Fair. It features shopping, food and beauty demonstrations, health and wellness exhibitors, and other things of interest to women. It wasn't as good as it has been in the past, but I still enjoyed myself. I got a free 5 minute massage from a local spa and as a result, I booked a massage for Wednesday morning. I had a massage probably 30 years ago, and I am looking forward to having another. Do any of you have regular massages? Do you think it improves your health?

Please visit Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Monday Mingle (sorry, I could not find the link at the time I published this).

A fun Thursday at the Thrift Store

Today I am wearing two pieces I purchased at thrift stores. I also went to one of my favorite stores, the YMCA Treasure Chest. I found a red ultrasuede duster, a White House/Black Market scarf, a Fossil belt I will use to make some bracelets, and a White Mountain handbag. It is funny how you can go so many times and find nothing and then all the sudden, there are the treasures.

Silk Blouse: Jones New York Thrifted
Vest: Orvis
Jeans: French Dressing Jeans
Booties: Thrifted

Necklaces
Monogram: Max & Chloe
Pearl and Chain: Forever21
Heart chain: Old (probably would be classified as vintage, but I have had it
since it was new.)

 Mr. Harry was his usual silly self and decided that not only did he want his picture taken, but he also wanted someone (me) to play ball with him. Playing ball involves a lot of slobber and me throwing the ball like a girl. I cannot throw worth a darn, so he doesn't get to run very far to catch it.

Is anyone else having a hard time with the new "prove you're not a robot" word verification that blogger has changed? I am having a horrible time reading some of them. I tried 5 times to enter it on one blog. I am with Sacramento on this one, I hate word verification and wish everyone would just turn it off. Here is her post on how to turn word verification off on your blog . Note the screen captures of the verification--those are easy to read, the newer ones are horrid. I am betting a robot could read them more easily than I can. I don't want to offend anyone, but gosh it takes time to comment on blog and it sure is not a pleasure trying to input cockeyed words just to leave a comment.

Visible Monday & snow!

Today I am linking up with Patti of Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday. It is a snowy, c-c-cold Monday here in Kansas. This is the first really measurable snowfall we have had this winter. I would be perfectly happy with snow if it did not end up on streets or sidewalks.  Back when I worked, I would be a nervous wreck by the time I got to work. My hands almost had to be peeled off the steering wheel and my muscles would be stiff and sore from tensing up so much. Fortunately, I don't have to drive anywhere today so I can sit at home and just look out at it.

My outfit today is really bright colors. You have seen the jacket and jeans before.  I think I was laughing at Harry who was being very silly as usual.



Jacket: Chico's
Top Ann Klein
Jeans: Purple NYDJ
Booties: Arche



Me & Harry "The Ham"

Arche Booties

I got my Arche booties from eBay. I thought they would be plenty large as they were a size 38 which I normally wear, but these babies run small. I cannot wear socks with them as they fit like a glove without them. So, when it is really cold, these boots don't get worn. The leather is just so soft though and the color is gorgeous. It is so hard for me to get shoes on eBay. Even with accurate measurements, they often don't fit correctly.

Please visit Not Dead Yet Style for the Visible Monday linkup. It is always fun to see what everyone is wearing to be visible.

No outfit, but accessories are on display

The battery on the camera was almost dead and I just barely got the photos taken and downloaded before it bit the dust. Today I am featuring some bracelets I have made over the past few years.


All bracelets were made by me for me.



Closeup

Closeup

All made by me.

Closeup (Please excuse the hair that fell from my head into in the tray.)

Closeup

I really need to get back to creating jewelry again. I had thought to start a business at one time, but I find that most of what I create is hard for me to let go. I have made things as gifts and sold a very few pieces to a co-worker, but I have kept the rest. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I enjoyed making them.

Red/Green

Red and green may be traditional Christmas colors, but I love the way they look together when the green is more of an army green. I have had this shirt for a long time and it just occurred to me that I had all the components to put this outfit together in a look that makes me quite happy.

Shirt: Coldwater Creek
Hoodie Jacket: 1/2 of 1/2 Price store
Jeans: NYDJ

This outfit was worn really casually and without my usual accessories for a day at home.  It was comfortable (the word that Stacy & Clinton of WNTW dislike so much) and its bright colors were cheery on a rainy day.

I am sorry for this rather short post, but I must to watch Gibbs on NCIS to see if his character is living or dying.

Visible Monday Animal Print Style

I am linking up with Patti from Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday #32 and Bon Bon Rose Girl's Monday Mingle. My outfit is a mix of some wild animal patterns.  My top is tiger and my jeans are cheetah. I know it is a fashion faux pas to mix two animal patterns, but I was feeling a bit ornery, so I decided to go ahead with it. We went for breakfast and then to the Walmart Market, so there weren't many folks to see this outfit. 

Jacket: Talbot's
Top: Anne Klein, Macy's
Jeans: NYDJ
Shoes: Teva

Necklace: Forever21

Shoes: Teva

I have to include this picture of me and my dear Harry. He is always a big help with taking pictures. We probably spend more time laughing at him than we do at serious picture taking.

What a face! Mr B had to whistle to get him to
settle down and look forward instead of looking up at me.

I hope you will visit Not Dead Yet Style's Visible Monday and Bon Bon Rose Girl's Monday Mingle  view all the lovely women who participate in these wonderful linkups.

Wednesday wonderings

Today I met my best friend from work for lunch. I arrived at the cafe first and was surprised to see another person I used to work with there eating with his wife. He had retired a few years before I did and I have seen him a few times since then. I was really happy to see them. Wichita is a fairly large city (380,000) but it seems like a small town at times. We ate at Cafe Maurice, a wonderful restaurant featuring Lebanese cuisine. One of the owners, Therese Srour, came to our table with a plate of the most wonderful hummus. It was so smooth, creamy, and delicious. I will definitely eat there again, even it if is clear across town on the far east side. 

Here in Wichita, there is an east side/west side rivalry. Many eastsiders never venture west and vice-versa. Living near downtown, but on the west side of the Arkansas river, I will go both east, west, north, but rarely south. I wonder if that is typical for most cities? The east side here is where all the really nice shops are located, so it is considered to be the more upscale part of town.  Do you have a "side" rivalry in your town?

I decided today to wear a jacket that I rarely wear because it is very long. The weather today was lovely, so it was easy to wear it as both jacket and outer coat. I was already dressed and ready to go when I noticed that my purple finger nails did not look great with the outfit.  I said to heck with it and just wore the outfit anyway.

Jacket: Embroidered Coldwater Creek
Blouse: Dillards
Jeans: FDJ Side Zip Leggings
Shoes: Helle Comfort
Necklace: Forever 21



The back of the jacket is also embroidered.

 I almost did not post that last picture. Whoa! I don't normally see myself from behind and this is not a very flattering picture, even if it does show the embroidery well. I am thinking that this jacket is going to go to consignment. Or, I could make a couple of pillows out of it.