Lucky Wednesday-Thrift Store Scores! Also, some questions for my followers.

Hooray! I finally got a pair of shoes from the thrift store! I got a few other good things too. My shoes are Bass kiltie loafers. They were $4.99 and looked like they had been worn only once or twice. I have been looking for some kiltie loafers, although these aren't exactly what I thought I wanted, wow, they are close enough for me. Love them. I also got 2 scarfs for $1.99 each and some necklaces that were bargains too. The funny thing is that the thrift store I went to was not one I had planned on going to today. I had originally been going to a vintage store, but it had gone out of business. The store I went to had some good items--an Eileen Fisher wool jacket in a funny light green was $6.99 and some men's True Religion jeans $2.99. I didn't get the jacket because it was too rough and an ugly color. I went to another thrift store and scored a Stone Mountain leather purse for $2.48.  I had so much fun looking and finding things that were treasures to me. I am starting to see what all the hoopla is about regarding thrifting.

I have a question for you all. I am throwing around some ideas and would like your feedback.

• Would you like to see pictures of some of my favorite items on etsy?
• Would you like to see pictures of some of my favorite accessories available online?
• Some of my DIY jewelry projects?

Also, do you like to see the closeups of my daily accessories? If you don't think they are worthwhile, I will not post them.
Please let me know what you would like. I want to keep this interesting. I know I am not a witty or funny or particularly interesting author(too many years of technical writing), so I would like to provide something else that would interest my audience. Thanks for your help!

I did wear this outfit today thrifting. I am not sure how one should dress when you go thrifting. Do you dress up or down? Anyway, this is what I wore.

Jacket: Chico's
Top: Chico's
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Shoes: Think

Bracelet on Left: Vintage
Bracelets on right top to bottom:
5 bangles: Chico's
Watch: Michele (this watch is made to have interchangeable bands)
All 3 rose quartz bracelets-self made
Silver loop bracelet: Kohls



Necklace: Epiphany Diamonique QVC via ebay
Swarovski heart - gift

 I know I asked a lot of questions, but I would appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

Baby Boomers - Stayin' Alive in Cyberspace

Today,Pam @ Over 50 Feeling 40 wrote a post, Tweet This: Baby Boomers Not Afraid of Life Online  an excellent post as all of hers are. I would like to continue the conversation with some thoughts of my own.

"The people in their 50s now are the most educated, most tech-savvy generation in our country's history," says William Frey, a demographer and visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution.

 Of course they are tech-savvy, our generation essentially created the media we all communicate in every day--the internet. Tim Berners-Lee who created the world wide web, Bill Gates (Microsoft), and  Steve Jobs (Apple) are all boomers. Those two companies and the WWW are a huge part of our every day lives at work and home and have changed our lives in ways we could not even imagine when we were young.

 As a boomer early retiree, I have a bit different view of our tools of communication. When you work, you have a built in social group that you interact with every day. When you retire, you no longer have immediate access to that group (some of whom you are probably happy to never see again) and the number of people you communicate with is greatly diminished. Unless, of course, you are a blogger in which case you now have the opportunity to communicate with many other people all over the world. As Pam said in her TV interview you can meet (virtually) women from all over the world. This is a wonderful way to learn that no matter what country we live in, color of our skin, religious views, or age we all have a lot more in common that we might have thought previously.

I think as more Boomers retire, they will be turning even more to social media to communicate with each other and with their children and grandchildren. Facebook has reunited me with a lot of my former high school classmates. If not for the internet, we would only be able to see each other at our reunions which are years apart.

Our grandparents world was very small in comparison to ours. They communicated via telephone, written letters, and personal visits. We have so many more instant methods of communicating, learning news, and viewing the lives of our friends and family. Many of us grew up in the time where a photograph had to be taken on film, developed, and then shared. Now you can almost instantaneously share any picture or video with someone on the other side of the world.

Some of our online communication has been for the better and some has definitely been for the worse, but that is a conversation for another day. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for all of us. What a wild ride we have been on and hopefully will continue.

Please share your thoughts about this subject with me. You don't have to be a boomer to share!

You will see from today's outfit that I don't wear accessories every day. I went to exercise and then spent the rest of the day at home with the dogs.

Top: Dillards
Jeans: Dressbarn
Sandals: Think! Julia

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

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?

I don't have a good title today

Today's outfit is a bit uninspired -- it is just an outfit. I tried to pull in gold accessories as they seem to be coming back in style this year. I do love the color of the top. It is kind of an American Beauty Rose red and is prettier than it appears in the photo.

I think I pulled a muscle in my back yesterday while working out at the gym and I am hurting more as the day goes on.  It is frustrating to be in pain and not even know exactly what I did to hurt myself.  I like the saying "old age isn't for sissies" as it seems to become more true every year as I experience more physical challenges. My Mother reminded me last week that I will soon be 60 (not for 3 months, but it is creeping up!)  


Jacket: Chico's
Top: Dressbarn
Jeans: Dressbarn
Belt: Coldwater Creek
Shoes: Think! Julia Sandals



Bracelet on Left: Monet from ebay
On Right: Forever 21 & Michele Watch
Necklaces: Forever 21

Just a thought--after I turn 60, can I still bill myself as an over 50 blogger or do I have to change to over 60?

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



Necklace layering examples for your perusal

Layering necklaces has been a trend in fashion for quite a while. I think it is becoming a standard rather than just a trend. If you are totally intimidated by creating your own layers, there are many layered necklaces available in stores, on ebay, and etsy.  I enjoy creating my own layered necklace looks by combining what I already have with new purchases. Some of the necklaces I use are ones that I have had for many years and some are purchases from Forever 21. Many over 40 bloggers have necklaces that they have accumulated over the years that can be used to create layered looks.

There are some basics for layering that I will go over before showing the layering examples.

1. Use different lengths to create your layers. If all the necklaces are the same length they end up getting tangled and just look messy.
2. Have some common element between all the necklaces. For example, stone color, metal color, themes such as hearts, crosses, ect.  I think it is easier to keep your metal color similar when you first start layering necklaces, but you can mix metals and have it look great.
3. It is easier to create layers with odd numbers of necklaces.
4. Don't be afraid to mix expensive pieces with inexpensive pieces.
5. Rules are meant to be broken, so experiment and have fun with layering.

Here are my examples. I hope you enjoy them.

 The theme of this layered set is Native American. The top necklace is a leather cord with a very old pottery sherd as a pendant. The second necklace is a buffalo head with beads made by a Native American. The last layer is two turquoise necklaces that have been "woven" together. The colors in the turquoise pick up the color in the stones in the buffalo necklace.

 

Pearls and initials are the theme of this layered set. The top necklace is a repro of the Anne Boleyn necklace (aka Ugly Betty necklace). The next necklace that is really hard to see due to the glare from the flash. It is white porcelain with a gold D on it, vintage Sarah Coventry. The next necklace is a vintage Avon with a blue stone and a pearl. The next is a pearl necklace and the final is a long gold necklace with crosses on it. Wendy Brandes created an Anne Boleyn necklace  that I would love to own, if I ever win the lottery! It is beautiful.

The theme of this set is crosses. The first is a cross with a leopard print. Next is a necklace with what looks like a perfume bottle (the necklace should be a bit shorter). Then a cross of amber colored plastic. Finally, the gold cross necklace from the previous picture.

The theme of this is hearts united by metal color. The first necklace is the perfume bottle necklace from the set above. The second is a vintage Nolan Miller heart with floating crystals. The next necklace is actually the longest and layers over the necklace with the tiny hearts. It has 2 long strands with hearts on the end.

 Remember when I said you should have an odd number? For this one, it has the appearance of 3 objects even though there are only two necklaces. Here the uniting feature is the rhinestones and the antique gold metal. Both are from Forever 21.

The color gold unites this set. The first necklace is one that resembles a vintage piece, but is new from ebay. The second necklace is the same rhinestone heart from the set above it. The third is one I fell in love with at Forever 21. It is a set of angel wings united by chains. It is a feminine look.

I hope you have enjoyed these examples of layering and will be inspired to do some of your own. 
Thank you all for all your nice comments on my blog, I feel so lucky to be a part of the blogging community. After reviewing all the September fashion magazine issues, I realized that I have reached the point where reading and viewing "real people" blogs is much more inspirational than reading the magazines that show fashion that I can never hope to own.

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?

Blue Wednesday

It is another hot day and I am tired of summer. I usually love summer, even the hot days, but this year I am just worn out from the heat and humidity. My asthma has been bothering me all summer which makes me tired and just kind of blue. I just didn't put much effort into this outfit I wore when I went to lunch with my one of my best friends. We had barbeque at one of the best places in Wichita, Delano BBQ. They make the best onion rings in Wichita and maybe Kansas. I didn't eat them today as even a small order is too much for me to eat by myself.

Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Tee: Chico's
Jeans: DG2 Cargo HSN
Sandals: Think! Julia

Bracelet on Left: Forever21
on Right: Top to Bottom: Top 2 Yurman, Michele Watch

Necklace top: Chico's, Bottom: Coldwater Creek



Me and Harry


I had to add this picture of me and Harry because it was just too cute not to. He loves being in the middle of the picture taking and today he was really determined to get me to pay attention to him.

Day at home + vest

I didn't really wear the vest at home today; just the top and pants. The addition of the vest is a look that I wanted to try based on something I saw in the new InStyle magazine. It's an okay look, but I don't think I will repeat this actual outfit again. The vest is suede and has a collar which when worn with another collar over the top of it is too stiff and uncomfortable for me. I think maybe that is why I looked so stiff in the picture--I wasn't comfortable.

Tonight is the season premiere of What Not to Wear. From the previews, it looks like they are finally featuring a real plus size person. I can hardly wait to see it.  I know a couple of other bloggers are WNTW fans. I do have some mixed feelings about it. I wish they would spend more time on the what to wear rather than berating the participants bad taste.

Vest: Coldwater Creek
Blouse: Ralph Lauren
Jeans: DG2 Cargo
Shoes: Tom's burlap

When I was about 25 and weighed 75lbs less than I do now, I took ballet classes. Looking at the above photo, my foot looks like it is in a ballet pose. Funny thing is I thought I was so fat back then. Ah, to be that fat again!

Visible Monday - Safari Chic

It's Visible Monday via Not Dead Yet Style and I am calling today's look Safari Chic. I feel very chic and put together in this outfit. I have loved this top since I saw it on a hanger at Dressbarn. (Dressbarn? Why couldn 't someone have come up with a better name for a nice women's store?)  I especially love the accessories I put on as mostly they are inexpensive pieces from Forever 21 and sale pieces from Chico's. I found three of the bracelets on a mannequin at F21 and asked a sales clerk if she would get them off so I could purchase them. She told me that she could not remove them. What? It seems as though they were "merchandised." Well, I am thinking if you have it in the store with a price tag it should be available for purchase. Fortunately, she did take the time to check and found out it was the only one in the store; checked with the manager who said I could buy it. I am thankful I found a sales associate who at least took a bit of time to help a customer--one outside her usual range of customer.

Jacket: Chico's
Top: Dressbarn
Belt: Chico's
Jeggings: JMS
Sandals: Think! Julia

Necklace: Forever 21 (surprisingly nice, heavy metal pendant)

Bracelet on left side of picture: Chico's
Bracelets on right side of pic, top 3 F21, Chico's, F21, Chico's

 FarleyJoe, my sweet old boy was in all the pictures. He doesn't want to be very far away from me. His face looks like an owl with the white ringing his eyes.  It is so hard to see a beloved pet get old and know that their time with you is getting shorter every day. He has been "my" dog since the day I brought him home to foster. He was such a nice looking dog that I was sure someone was looking for him and he would not be with us long.  He was found running lose in a park by a wonderful local veterinarian. It was meant to be that he found a home with people who would love and care for him as he should have been.  

Chico's Day

Today is not only a Chico's outfit day, but one where I visited the store. I bought a couple pieces of sale jewelry and a couple of tee shirts that were 50% off. There were several things I might have bought if I was working but I don't need any new jackets, no matter how cute they were. I also went to Coldwater Creek (and no, they do not have my interest again) and Dillard's. The tops at Coldwater Creek were not at all what I expected. I didn't like the feel of the fabrics and several were really low cut. At Dillard's, I did some looking in the shoe department and it seems as though studs, sequins, and rhinestone trim on shoes is going to be good for fall. Although I sure don't know how some women can wear the pointed studs on the heels without ripping up their legs when the walk.

I knew these jeans were too big, but I really did not realize how much they need to be taken up until I saw this picture. Since I am biggest around the middle, I have a hard time finding jeans that are not huge through the legs. Most of my jeans look like wide legs even when they are supposed to be slim legs (like the ones I am wearing, which are supposed to be slim legs.)

Jacket: Chicos
Tank: Chico's
Jeans: Chico's
Necklace: Chico's

Chico's Necklace

Bracelets on left of picture are Nomination Italian Charm
on right top to bottom Etsy, Michele watch, Yurman



Think! Julia sandals. My husband decided I need a closeup shoe photo, not sure why,
but here it is.

 I also went to Barnes & Noble and bought a book "Style Yourself" with "inspired advice from the world's top fashion bloggers." I read some of their blogs, so I thought it would be interesting to read the book.  Maybe someday there will be a book based on the world's top over 50 fashion bloggers.  That thought makes me smile! I hope you will all have a lovely weekend.

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



My breast cancer story.

I have had a couple of comments (nothing bad) about my bilateral mastectomy, so I thought I would share information about my breast cancer experience.

In August 2001, I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ cancer in my right breast. Mine was in the early stage, and I decided to have a lumpectomy followed by radiation. I had my surgery on September 10th, 2001. I had a reaction to the anesthesia so I remained in the hospital overnight. As I was preparing to leave, we heard on the news about the planes flying into the World Trade Center. Not the best of days. I was scheduled for six weeks of radiation treatments.  I did fairly well with the radiation treatments. I had a bit of burn, but nothing like some women have. I had 3 treatments left to go when I received a call from the physician who read the original mammograms. I was asked if anyone had told me about the possibility of cancer in the left breast. I told them no and they told me I needed to come in for a biopsy. Not good news, especially when I was almost through my treatment. It turned out I had cancer in my left breast. I had been told that I had atypical cells in my right breast even after radiation and would have to have a mammogram every 6 months.  I could not handle the added stress of worrying every 6 months about a recurrence, I did not want to live like that.

My Doctor told me that if I had a bilateral mastectomy that I would most likely not have a recurrence.  I decided to go ahead and have the surgery. I really thought I would recovery quickly and be back at work in no time at all. That did not happen. I had a lot of swelling and drainage and one side of my chest had a wound that just would not heal. I had pretty much decided against reconstruction and as it turned out, I probably would not have been able to have it anyway. I had previously had breast reduction surgery and as a result of that I had a lot of scar tissue that cause complications.

I wish that I had not had breast cancer, but the experience made me a much stronger person. I did do some crying and some "why me" questioning, but overall I was determined that I would not let the cancer define me. Most of the time I don't even think about it much. It is really hard to find clothing that looks good on me, especially as a plus-size. I do think about it when shopping as I often find things I love that don't work on me at all. I do not want to try to wear prosthetics as I have known a few women who had a horrible time with them and they can be horrible expensive.

I am not writing this to get sympathy, I only want to share my story. Every woman who has breast cancer has to deal with it her own way, mine is to celebrate the fact that I am alive and well almost ten years after I was diagnosed.  Please get mammograms and checkups as prescribed by your Doctor.

Everybody, Everywear Pattern Mixing, White on white & Black on white

Everybody, Everywear Pattern mixing. Today's outfit is a bit of pattern mixing, but it is really hard to see. I did not realize how hard it would be to photograph white embroidery on a white jacket.  This may be too subtle for the pattern mixing, but I think technically it qualifies.

Jacket: CJ Banks
Top: Von Maur
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Sandals: Think! Julia

This photo shows the rose embroidery on the jacket. It is also on the back and sleeves.

From left of photo:
Etsy, Ebay, Art Fair, Native American (not sure where purchased),
Yurman, Silpada, Made by me

I waited all day for AT&T to come out (sometime between 8 &5) to fix our telephone only to have the guy tell me that he was level one and that someone else who would actually fix it would be out tomorrow or the next day. What happened to customer service? I had already waited 4 days. Thank goodness for cell phones.

http://www.everybodyeverywear.com/challenges/view/pattern-mixing

VM - Kind of an old flower child look

Visible Monday, organized by Patti @ Not Dead Yet style, is here again! Today I have on a kind of flower child look with embroidery and flowers. I tried to find something to match the Inspiration Monday, but I just did not have anything similar except this outfit.





Jacket: Chico's
Top: Dillards
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Shoes: Ann Klein



Back of the Jacket



From left
Bracelet made by me (under charm bracelet)
Vintage Charm Bracelet 
Art Fair purchase
Ribbon
DIY made by me
2 David Yurman Citrine bracelets

 I love the colors in this top. I remember when I spied this top across the building at Dillards. I just knew it would be mine (if it fit) and it was. I have another one similar except it is tie die colors. Hopefully, I will wear it before summer is over. I do like this jacket, but it is a bit big through the shoulders and I have several that are similar colors, so I am thinking of getting rid of it.

Maybe the reason that I am thinking of flower children and hippies is that I am starting to create some macrame bracelets. We sure did a lot of that in the late 60's and 70's. Did you do macrame and if so, what did you make?

Coldwater Creek - I may come back to you

In the past year or so, I lost my love for Coldwater Creek. I would go in, look around and leave--even when they had a 35% off everything sale. There was just nothing that excited me. Then yesterday, I got the newest catalog in the mail. Yes! There are things I would love to own. There is one blouse in particular that makes me drool. It is the Tucked Lace Blouse, the first photo on the left below.



All photos via ColdwaterCreek.com

 I like all of the tops above. (Of course, I haven't tried on any of them, so I reserve my opinion on whether or not I would actually purchase any of them until after I try them on.) The colors and styles are really nice and could be used for work or home wear. The sweater on the far right looks like it might be a cute layering piece.

They also feature new fits on their pants, Modern, Natural, and Classic. I like pants to fit at my waist, not below. It they fit below, my muffin top bursts over--not a pretty look. I know Stacy & Clinton say that at the waist fit is "old lady", but hey, I am an old lady and if I wear my top outside my pants why does it matter?

I have a couple of issues to get off my chest:


• First:  Stores that give you a coupon for $25.00 off a $100.00 purchase. (CC, I am talking to you.) It's a really nice thing, but if you find something you want that is $99.95, you can't use the dang coupon! Really?!, a nickel, a mere 5 cents short. If you want to use the coupon, you have to find something else to purchase.  I may not want anything else and it peeves me to have to get it just to use the coupon. 
• Now for my second pet peeve, making plus sizes $5 to $10 more than the regular sizes. I know it takes a little more fabric for the plus size, but they don't give petites or Extra Small sizes a price break! The top I like is $99.95 for 1X-3X and $89.95 for all other sizes.

 There was a silver-haired model featured in this catalog. Finally, they seem to be acknowledging the fact that there are many over 50 women who purchase from them. Now, if they would just feature someone over size 0 in their ads...

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.