Don't wear tiny vertical stripes or your pictures will look far out!

Today, I wore a white shirt with tiny vertical black stripes. Wow, the pictures came out crazy. Only one was even half way decent. The rest looked like I was wearing some sort of psychedelic moire fabric.
I didn't go anywhere today, so my outfit was very simply a shirt and jeggings.


Shirt: Dillards
Jeggings: JMS Walmart

 Yesterday, I tried on some Not Your Daughters Jeans. I was impressed with the fit, but not the price. They did look good and I haven't seen any dark brown jeans before that I liked. I want to think about it a couple of days before deciding about them. Have any of you ever worn any NYDJ's? What did you think of them.

Today's advice from the McCall's Sewing book is about what to wear to sporting events. Since this is football season, I thought it would be timely.

"For Sports:
Sportswear in our modern sense covers both clothes for sporting events and casual clothes in general. Naturally, participating in special sports requires special costumes. What you need for golf is wrong for tennis. As a spectator at sports events, choose comfortable, sturdy-looking  clothes. Separates, simple dresses and classic suits are always appropriate."

Did women in the 60's really wear suits to football games? I remember that as a student, the only time we really dressed up for football games was for homecoming.  And what the heck are "sturdy looking" clothes?  From crowd photos I have seen lately, hardly anyone wears very nice clothes to sporting events.  Do you attend sporting events and if so, what sturdy-looking clothing do you wear?

Tuesday - Missoni for Target release day

I was really excited having seen all the pictures of the Missoni for Target items. I went to the store early today to see the new items. What a disappointment. They did not even have the merchandise on the floor; I had to ask for it. The lady brought it right out, which was nice of her. They had very few items and only one XL in each item.  The sweaters were very thin and one had a pull in it and they were $49.99. One of the black and white dresses was pretty, but again all small sizes. The shoes were not comfortable. I was highly disappointed. The only thing I bought was an infinity scarf. It is pretty, but it was $24.99, which compared to other scarves Target has, was a bit pricey.



Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Top: Nygard - Dillards (it has tiny flowers layered on the bodice)
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Scarf: Maurices
Shoes: Vince Camuto - Dillards



With the scarf down rather than wrapped

I tried to go to the Target site to grab a picture of the scarf, but evidently the site has been overwhelmed with activity and it wasn't up.  Maybe I am too picky about what I purchase and there may be a lot of others who love it. Did anyone else visit Target today for Missoni? What did you think?

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?

My first Thursday's are for Thrifters

Meagan at Spunky Chateau sponsors Thursdays are for Thrifters Party. This week is one of the first where I had something to show. Unfortunately, the closeup picture did not turn out. Must be something in the air as Patti at Not Dead Yet Style had camera problems today too. Anyway, my thrift find, as I reported yesterday is a pair of Bass loafers. I was thrilled to finally find good shoes at a thrift store.  It was another hot, hot day here. Hopefully, this is the end of the heat for our record breaking 51st day of over 100 degree heat.



Shirt: Dillards
Scarf: Chico's
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Shoes: Bass Loafers - thrifted

 I went for a plainer look today. I know some people don't like white socks with loafers, but since I grew up wearing them that way, it just seems right to me. One thing I'd forgotten about loafers is that until they break in to your foot they rub and can leave a blister. That brought back a memory of a pair of shoes that I got for school when I was in Junior High. They hurt my feet and I got some horrid blisters. When I complained about it, my Mother told me that I picked them out and I had to wear them. I had no choice as they were they only shoes I had, so band-aids became my friend. For these shoes, Band-aids will once again be my friend. Fortunately, they are not my only shoes as my Jr High loafers were.

My favorite pair of shoes from when I was young were a pair of "Mondrian Beatle Boots." All my Mother would get for me were a plain white pair. I did a DIY with electrical tape and paint on my white boots to make my own. I thought I was so cool!


Source  These are the real thing.

 Do any of you have a memory of a favorite pair of shoes you had when you were young?


Black, white & bright pink

This jacket is really pretty with a delicate shimmer on the fabric. The blouse is a sleeveless black and white print that I got at Dillards extra 40% off all reduced mdse. In reading the September fashion magazine issues, it looks like tie neck blouses are the latest trend. I think this one can be worn year round. It is sheer, but wearing it under a jacket makes it seasonless.

We were hurrying to take pictures because the battery was dying. So, I did not notice that my hair was sticking out on the side. I used Bumble and bumble Texture on towel dried  hair and let it dry. It is the only product I have found that doesn't have a perfumey scent and actually gives some texture to my hair. My dear husband is more concerned with snapping as many pictures as quickly as possible than making sure that I look presentable. Ah well, that is the world of the over 50 fashion blogger who has no professional stylist!



Jacket: Dillards
Top: Dillards
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Shoes: Think! Julia (I know you all are probably sick of seeing the same sandal
 in different colors, but they are so comfortable!)
Bracelets: Kohls & Chico's
Necklace: Tennis necklace ebay

 As I was wearing this today, I felt a bit like June Cleaver as I was unloading the dishwasher and doing laundry. The thought ran through my head that you never know when Publishers Clearing House could knock on the door to present me with a big ole check. Sadly, no one rang the doorbell.

Showing off my new booties - Leopard!

I know this is outfit is going to look goofy as can be, but I had to show off my new shoes and I did not want to change the clothes from what I wore earlier today. I have been wanting some leopard booties so badly. I have been looking at different websites just hoping to find something I could afford to buy. Well, I went on Shopbop and there were these leopard booties with a slightly pointed toe and they only had size 8 (my foot measures 6.5, but I always have to go up due to width.)  I had never heard of the brand before (Pencey) so I started doing some comparison shopping. Wow, they were a bargain so I jumped on them. At Neiman Marcus they are $275.00. I would never have paid that much for them. I was kind of scared to order them as they were a final sale-no return. I am so glad that I took the chance. They are exactly what I wanted but did not think I would be able to find. I kind of wanted to jump up and down after I tried them on and they fit!

Presenting my Leopard Booties!

Pencey Hair Calf Leopard Booties

Now for the outfit that the booties don't go with at all. I did have on my Think! Patent sandals which looked much better with the outfit.

Jacket: Jones NY - Dillards
Top: Dressbarn
Jeans: Dressbarn
Belt: Fashion Bug
Booties: Pencey - Shopbop

 I went to Dillards today because they had an extra 40% off all sale items. I got a blouse that I'd seen earlier this week and waited to see if it would still be there. I also got a pretty scarf with fall colors.

I also went to Kmart because I'd seen several of their ads in magazines and I wondered if they had really changed. I am kind of on the fence about their clothing. They had some really cute Jacklyn Smith skirts in the regular sizes (I thought of you, Pam), but for the most part the clothing is uninspired. Maybe they just don't have in the new fall merchandise. I did find a dress that I purchased (Sacramento, I was thinking of you) and a couple of jackets that were on sale and 50% off the sale so they were only $7.50 each. I probably shouldn 't have purchased them, but they were really cute and at that price they were too hard to pass up (I know I should've but I didn't.)

I am so excited to start thinking up outfits for fall to wear with my new booties. Do you have any new purchase that you are as excited about as I am mine?

Visible Monday - Trying a trend (Not successfully)

For Visible Monday from Not Dead Yet Style, I wanted to try a trend that I had seen in a magazine but I didn't like how it turned out. I thought about not posting it, but then I decided that if my blog is to reflect what I wore, then I need to post the dud outfits along with the good ones. I don't like the rhinestone/stud top with the patterned vest. I think a solid would have worked better and the top needed to be longer. Ever have something that you think you look really good in until you see the picture? Well, the jeans that I thought were really cool, don't look so good with a shorter top.  I just didn't get the proportions right. Well, I guess it is try, try again for me for the vest over jacket trend.



Tee: TanJay Dillards
Jacket: Chico's
Vest: Gap
Jeans: DG2 HSN
Shoes: Think! Julia



Bracelet on Left side of pic: Dana Buchman Kohl's
On right from top down: Forever 21, Yurman, Apt 9 Kohl's, TJ Maxx

I hope everyone has a great Visible Monday. Tomorrow I am going to do a post on how I layer necklaces. I hope you will join me for that post.

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



FBFF - My view of style in Wichita

Today is Fashion/Beauty Friend  Friday sponsored by Modly Chic. This is my first time to participate. I have really enjoyed reading the posts of other FBFF bloggers and thought I would dip my toe in the water this week.  The topic this week is whether location influences style. I think it absolutely influences style. If you live in one of the large metropolitan areas of the US, you have easy access to some of the best fashion and retail resources in the US. While the internet does allow those of us in smaller cities to have some access to the better retail stores, we cannot easily touch or try on the clothing, jewelry or shoes, and shipping can get prohibitively expensive. Climate has a big influence on style as well. If you live in a flat, prairie area like Kansas where the winds are always blowing, wearing skirts and dresses is not as practical as a pair of pants where you don’t have to worry about someone seeing your undergarments if the wind makes a sail of your skirt. (We often call very windy days “clean underwear alert” days.)  We get a lot of very extreme weather -- really hot and really cold.

1. What part of the world do you blog from?  Wichita, Kansas, the middle of nowhere and the middle of everywhere in the lower 48. There are actually people who think we have cows in our yards here, probably bison too. 
2. If you had to describe the overall mode of dress for where you live what would you say? I would say that it is very, very casual. Very few people male or female dress up. Most of the time everyone is in jeans and tees or sweats.
3. Do you fit in with the status quo around you or do you break the mold? I think I break the mold since I often wear bright colors and lots of jewelry.  
4. If you have lived or traveled to another part of the country/world did your clothing choices evolve? I have lived here for most all of my life, so my style is pretty much gleaned from my own takes on styles I see in magazines or on TV.
5. If you had to describe your style by naming a specific city, what would you be? I guess it really would be Wichita—there’s no place like home.

My outfit for today is probably similar to what a lot of women wear in Wichita, minus the jacket. I don't usually like tops like I am wearing today, but this one has ruffles on the top front of the tank. The ruffles add a bit of interest where I have none (bilateral mastectomy.) Also, I like the colors--corals and greens.


Jacket: Tanjay Dillards
Top: : Dressbarn
Top: Dressbarn
Shoes: Airwalk, Payless



Necklace: Chico's

I just had to add these photos of me and Harry. He is so silly. When he hears the velcro open on the camera case, he is ready to go.

Thursday already?

We are having trouble with our internet connection again. Cox says it is something in the wiring and the soonest they can get here is Saturday between 5-7pm. We have had issues since we moved here 5 years ago. A few days ago, they told me it was the modem--hum, funny they couldn't tell it was the wiring until I got a new modem. Then they wanted to sell me digital phone service. Are they nuts? Why would I want yet another problem? Enough on this rant--but I may not have service for long.

Back when I was working, my Mother, who was retired, would tell me that the time passed so quickly for her. I always said that time at work was like time in a black hole. SLOOOOW. Now that I am retired, I find she is right, it does race past seemingly at the speed of light. Here it is Thursday already.

Today was a yoga class day for me. I love yoga -- not necessarily while I am doing it because it is hard -- it makes me feel really good. I think that the longer I take it the more I will benefit from it. I also went to lunch with my best friend from work and wore this outfit.



Jacket: Dillards
Tank: Target
Jeggings: JMS Walmart (I got 3 pair, so I am really not wearing the same ones every day!)
Snadals: Think! Julia



The colors on my jacket and the top look faded. They aren't faded at all, I'm not sure why it didn't photograph well. The next photo shows the colors more accurately.  Whenever I wear this jacket, I always feel very feminine.


Watch: Michele
Bracelet: Imperial Gold QVC
Watch worn as a bracelet: Vintage WG Diamond Gruen
Beacelet: Diamonique Tennis Bracelet QVC
Bracelet: Imperial Gold QVC
Ring: Inherited 

 The ring I am wearing was my Grandmother's. My Grandfather built and sold dog houses to earn the money to buy her the ring for their 50th wedding anniversary. When she passed away, my Mother gave me this ring. I dearly love it. The vintage Gruen watch belonged to a lifelong family friend. She was always so perfectly dressed with jewelry, a lovely dress, a small pocketbook and precisely coiffed hair. I don't think I ever saw her in a pair of slacks. Whenever I wear the watch, I think of her.
 

Three penants that I wear together on my round omega necklace.

Do you have something that you love because of the memory it evokes?

Drab outfit for a drab day

It finally rained today, but only a very small amount which just made it more humid. Our part of the state is officially in a severe drought. I doubt the rain did much other than settle a bit of dust. Today I put on an outfit that looked like I felt. Drab. I just could not get up the energy to put together something more colorful.

I like all the pieces I have on today, but I do not usually wear them all together. The shoes are some fun camouflage Airwalk Hope shoes I got at Payless. Pretty comfortable and they are part of Payless' Good Shoe Project which donates a pair of shoes to a child in Central America for each pair of Hope Shoe purchased.

Jacket: TanJay Dillards
Top: Chico's
Jeans: BandolinoBlu
Shoes: Airwalk Camouflage Payless



Necklace: StyleMint



Bracelets: Left - Talbot's
Other Three From Jewelry closet

Do you ever dress according to your mood?