Visible Monday - Yet more leopard!

This weekend, our Junior League sponsored a Holiday Galleria. Basically a shopping mecca for crazy ladies who love bling. I mean bling was everywhere! Especially on the rear pockets of jeans. That is one bling that I can't do; I don't need any more attention drawn to my behind with big, sparkly crystals. You would think that a really good fashion blogger would have taken a camera and taken some photos to share with everyone. Nope, forgot the camera!  Maybe I need to get one of the new phones that takes good pictures. I just don't like having to pay so much for more than basic service.

My Visible Monday outfit is a bit wild looking. This vest is one I have had a long time and rarely wore. I was going through my closet and thought I ought to get it out and wear it or get rid of it. I may still get rid of it as it is really not something I love. There is some leopard print in the vest, so I wore my leopard booties. (If you are wondering what is in my hair, it was windblown and my photographer did not tell me it was wonky.)

Blouse: Chico's
Vest: Coldwater Creek
Belt: From consignment shop
Jeans: JMS Jegging
Leopard Boots: Pencey



Harry has to sniff and lick everything!
Bracelet: From Holiday Galleria

 The bracelet is one of my purchases from the Holiday Galleria. It is a very unique piece made by a local woman. She wires together the stones and uses vintage jewelry for the center to make it look like a flower. A piece of an old western belt was used to form the cuff. It is tied together with strips of velvet. I really love unusual, unique pieces of jewelry, especially those that are handcrafted. I have a couple of other things I bought from a different artisan and I will share that with you in the coming days.

Have you ever bought jewelry from art & craft fairs or other sales where individual crafters sell their creations?

Red Rose of Kansas

This jacket is one of my favorites. I love, love, love embroidery. A while back Coldwater Creek had a  special line of clothing that was a step above the rest of their clothing. I got this on sale and have never regretted getting it. I probably should have worn this on Visible Monday as it was very visible! I wore it with my new cowboy boots. It was embroidery overload and I was so happy wearing it. I kept my jewelry to a minimum today. The cross is one from a company, Morgan Dane, that attempted to compete with Silpada. I like the large bail because it can be used on a wide variety of necklaces. Unfortunately, Morgan Dane went out of business this year. I really liked a lot of their jewelry more than Silpada. The necklace is one I got at Fashion Bug.


Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Top: Dillards
Jeans: Dressbarn
Boots: Old Gringo



Silver Cross: Morgan Dane
Necklace: Fashion Bug

Patti @ Not Dead Yet Style asked if you could wear boots like these in Florida. I say yes, it's an attitude and if you have it, no matter where you live, you can carry it off. I think Patti would look fab in them! I see a lot of women here in the winter wearing oversize sweaters, leggings, and cowboy boots (although taller than the ones I have.) When I first got them I told my husband that I felt like a kid again with their first pair of cowboy boots.  When you are a kid, you just don't want to take them off, even to go to bed. It's wonderful to feel like a kid again. Do you have something that makes you that happy?

Visible Monday - Primary Colors

Visible Monday sponsored by http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/ has rolled around again. This is the last Monday in August and it just does not seem possible that summer is pretty much over for this year.

My outfit for today is one inspired by a color combination that I have seen several bloggers wear recently. I was taken by the bright green and navy color combination. I wanted to add a little to it, so I decided to add orange shoes to insert a pop of color. Once fall and winter are upon us, I will be able to use scarves to add interest to an otherwise simple outfit.



Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Top: Ebay
Jeans: Dressbarn
Shoes: Giraubon ebay
Necklaces: Mexican "silver" from the 50's (inherited)



Bracelets from Top
Gift
Silpada
Art Fair
Silpada
Silpada

I know that some people do not like round toe shoes. I am not one of them as you can see. Comfort and having toe room is more important to me. Also, many of the experts who tell you to wear pointy toes live in areas where it is easy for them to try on many brands to find just the right shoe. Wichita does not have that many brands of shoes available for sale. I have never seen a Jimmy Choo, Prada, Chloe, Louboutin, or Chanel shoe or handbag in person. Even though most of those brands can be purchased through the internet, it is darn expensive to ship them back if they don't fit well. So, it is round toe shoes for me.

Do you wear round or pointy toe shoes?

Please visit Not Dead Yet Style to see all the ladies participating in Visible Monday.http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/2011/08/visible-monday-10-not-sheepish-about.html

Signature Style

I was looking at Chico's website yesterday and noticed their tag line on the jacket page. It said "Jackets   Make Them Your Signature" I had a eureka moment and thought "jackets are my signature style!"  I think almost everything I wear has a jacket as an integral part of the outfit. I know that Stacy and Clinton often say that a jacket is the finishing touch to an outfit.  I have written before about using the jacket as a security blanket of sorts, but it is also a look that I am drawn to again and again. When I see another blogger's outfit that I covet, it is usually one that involves a jacket. The realization that the jacket is my signature really excited me. Jackets allow me a lot of creativity. I can wear something very classic such as a blazer, something funky with a wild print, black leather rocker chic, feminine florals, or classic Chanel style tweeds.  My accessories are also a part of my signature style, but they are just that -- accessories to my outfit.

Signature looks can be one's hair style, eyeglasses, accessories, hats, makeup, even a laugh (I am thinking of Julia Roberts). What is your signature style or have you discovered yours yet?

It was a record high 104 today and was miserably hot. I went to lunch with a friend and then to pick up some things at Sam's club. I didn't wear the necklaces as it was so hot that I couldn't stand anything around my neck. They are what I had planned to wear, but decided not to until I took pictures. I ended up picking bracelets in all silver rather than gold because it seemed 'cooler' to wear. Gold seems warm and silver cool--I know that metal is metal and both colors conduct heat the same--but it is a mental thing.



Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Top: Dressbarn
Jeans: Fade To Blue Jeggings Dressbarn (They have cute snaps on the legs)
Shoes: Think! Julia

My photographer fails to tell me when my necklaces are not laying correctly.  I can't really complain, he works for free.

Bracelet on left side of photo Kohls
On right top to bottom: Animal print bangles, Forever 21, 2 Yurman, Michele watch



Black and pink

I have always loved the combination of black and hot pink. This outfit contains both with a pretty print.


Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Top: Ebay
Jeggings: JMS
Shoes: Poetic License



Necklace: Chico's

Bracelets: Dillards

Shoes: Poetic License
They have star studs on the ankles

 Today when I was picking out what to wear, the thought ran through my mind that the top I was picking out was work clothing.  I can now wear anything I own whenever I want, but the years of thinking I had to "save" the nicest things for work imprinted somewhat indelibly in my brain.  Do you have items of apparel that you don't wear except for wearing to work?

Denim, lace, and embroidery

Thank you to all who commented on my post yesterday. One of the reasons I really wanted to write the post is that too many people feel shame over having cancer. No one would ask for cancer and no one should be ashamed for having it.

One of my favorite quotations is from the Star Trek movie, The Final Frontier.  I think that all the things I have been through in my life make me the person I am today and this quote says it for me.

Capt Kirk said, "Damn it, Bones, you're a doctor. You know that pain and guilt can't be taken away with a wave of a magic wand. They're the things we carry with us, the things that make us who we are. If we lose them, we lose ourselves. I don't want my pain taken away! I need my pain!"

Now, back to the outfit postings. My outfit for today is one I had to throw together really quickly as I had 30 minutes to take a shower, dress, and drive to meet a friend for lunch. Now that I see it, I think it could have used some added color.  It could qualify for a pattern mixing day as well.


Jacket: CJ Banks
Lace tee: Chico's
Black tank under tee: Coldwater Creek




Bracelets: Kate Spade Ric Rack, Dillards, Yurman




Vintage necklaces, layered



A great find and my blue security blanket

This has not been the best of days for me. I woke up feeling awful from sinus and asthma problems. When I finally started feeling better I called my Mother, who was out and about, and asked her to meet me for lunch.  I had a really nice salad with strawberries, apples, bacon bits, and grilled chicken with a light vidalia onion dressing. I have been using fruit in my salads quite a lot this year and the recipe for Pomegranate Dressing The Wilted Magnolia posted today sounds like something really good to try.

After we finished lunch, we went to a couple of estate sales in the area. There was nothing at either of those that interested us so we decided to go to the Salvation Army thrift store. That was where some fun began. My Mother found a couple of decorative plates and I found a really pretty necklace that is the best thing I have ever found at a thrift store. I have it on in today's pictures. The Salvation Army merchandise is often priced awfully high for a thrift store. My necklace was $9.99, but it was so pretty and was worth it to me. The tag on the chain is marked Avon, so I am assuming that it is an older Avon piece as it is very heavy and well made.

JudyC asked how I could wear a jacket in this heat. I think that since I had my mastectomy, I use jackets as kind of a security blanket. The Urban Dictionary defines security blanket as "anything an adult uses to reduce their anxiety". Yep, that fits me. Jackets make me feel as though no one will notice my strange chest anatomy and my apple middle.  I my head I know that a jacket will not hide everything, but it makes me feel better about myself.  Sometimes it is really too hot to wear a jacket, but I do it anyway.

Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Top: Anne Klein
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Sandals: Think! Julia



Necklaces: B w/pearls Anne Boleyn Repro
Gold and Blue w/pearl, Avon, thrifted
Long Pearl necklace, gift
Flower pin from local boutique, Carla's Love It

 I think we all probably have some body issue that we try to hide in some way. Many times what we perceive as very noticable others do not notice at all. Do you have any security blanket you use to feel more confident and reduce anxiety?

What I wore before the wedding I will attend

It is hot and muggy today and I feel worn out from the heat. I went to the Mall today and it was even hot in the stores. Usually, stores are so cold that it is nice to have something covering your arms, but not today.  I sure hope the wedding tonight is inside! This has been a really hot summer resulting in water rationing in many cities. I expect we will have that here soon if it does not cool down or rain.

In reviewing the photos of my outfit, I think I need to hem the skirt up a few inches as it just seems a bit too long. It is funny how something you never notice even in the mirror shows up so well in a photo.
 I love this denim jacket. It has really pretty pale green plastic buttons that really add a lot to many outfits.

I really wanted to participate in the FBFF, but I do not have time to do that right now. If I can, I will edit this post later this evening. 

 

Harry is getting to be a real pill about wanting to be in the pictures.





Bart wanted me to remove my glasses since there was too much reflection in them.
Unfortunately, I can't see much without them.




Sarah Cavendar Metalworks necklace





Kate Spade Rick Rack Bracelets, Michele Watch, Vintage Ring

 Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Tank: Chico's
Skirt: Talbots
Shoes: Think! Julia sandals