Monday, Monday

This past weekend we finally got some rain. That was wonderful, but for my asthma it was not so great. Weather changes often cause my asthma to flare up and this weekend I felt really yucky. I did not leave the house for a couple of days and we did not get any photos for the blog. Fortunately, I one outfit that I kept back for just such an occasion.

Not too long ago I was flipping through TV channels and happened to see one of the hostesses on QVC wearing a top that I fell in love with instantly. They weren't selling it at that moment, but I went on a hunt on their website to find it, which I did right about the time it was presented. I ordered the same color the hostess was wearing and I absolutely adore this top. It is very feminine and makes me feel very visible.



Top: George Simonton via QVC
Jeans: Ralph Lauren via 1/2 of 1/2 store
Shoes: Payless



The sleeves have ruching as does the bottom sides of the hem.
Necklace: Banana Republic

Bracelets on left side of photo: top Noosa Amsterdam, bottom Kenneth Cole
right side of photo Michele watch and Yurman bracelets

Are any of you QVC or HSN viewers? I probably should not be because they make everything sound as if you cannot live without it and that you must buy it NOW.

I know that this top does show my plump middle, but I have decided to quit worrying about not looking perfect. When I had my mastectomy, the Doctor told me that one thing that would be an issue was how clothing fits and looks. Most plus-size women have ample bosoms which kind of disguise a bigger stomach area and allow for the wearing of belts to move the eye upwards. Since I don't have that, my middle is on full view (belts migrate up to my armpits, not a good look). I cannot say that it doesn't bother me at all, but I am trying to accept myself as I am and not focus on perfection.


I hope you all have a lovely Monday and that you will join the lovely ladies at Patti's Visible Monday link party and Momtrends Monday Mingle.



Visible Monday

I so enjoy Monday's now. Part of it is that I don't have to get up and go to work and part is that I get to be inspired by all the beautiful women who take part in Visible Monday and Monday Mingle. So many of you all inspire me in different ways. Some are uplifting, some creative, some thrifty, and all are stylish. What better way could there be to start a week?

Today I am wearing yet another maxi dress. You have seen the dress before, but I chose to wear a different jacket with it this time. I received several compliments on it and a couple of people asked me where I was going, as if one only dresses nicely to go somewhere special.  Have you ever experienced receiving remarks such as that?

Maxi Dress: 1/2 of 1/2 store
Jacket: Dressbarn
Sandals: Think! Julia Red Patent
Bracelet on left side of photo: Leighelena
Bracelets on right side: Yurman and Michele watch

I have a funny Harry story to share with you. Earlier in the morning, my husband said we would take my outfit photos after we went out to eat. When we returned home, we gave out dog biscuits as usual. Then when I went to put on some lipstick, Harry started getting excited and running to the back bedroom where we keep the tripod for the camera. I asked him what he wanted and he kept running to the bedroom and looked at me and gave me the "this was what I want look". I wasn't sure he would repeat it, but when I went to tell my husband about it, Harry again started running back to the bedroom for the tripod. Normally, this behaviour is reserved for showing me where his dog biscuits are when he wants me to give them to him. (He is sure that I have forgotten where I keep them.) He is so funny! Then, when we wanted him to sit down for a picture, he wanted to play ball and not take pictures. What a dog!

Come on and throw the darn ball!

I hope you will all join me for Visible Monday and Monday Mingle.

P.S. Tomorrow is the day the September Vogue magazine will be available. I know I love looking at the huge September issue even if there is not one thing in it that I can afford to buy. Are you anticipating the release?

Another Monday, Another Maxi

I was thinking I should apologize for yet another maxi, but heck if I were wearing an outfit with yet another pair of jeans, I would not apologize for that so here I am. This dress is one I purchased at the 1/2 of 1/2 (Name Brand Clothing) Store for $6.99. I love this store. Most of what I purchase now is from this store. It is part entertainment and part bargain hunting. The store is closed every Tuesday for stocking of new merchandise. Wednesday morning is the best time for bargain shopping. Last week I scored a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans for $24.00. Yes, it cost more than a thrift store might charge, but the likelihood of me finding my size, brand new with tags, in a thrift store is near zero. 

Jacket: Chico's
Maxi Dress: 1/2 of 1/2 store
Sandals: Think!



Bracelet on left side of photo: Bead mix on Trollbead bracelet
On right side of photo: Michele watch and mix of pearl bracelets
Necklaces: Pearl and diamond journey pendant

I wanted to share with you a nail polish that I think is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. This picture does not begin to show how pretty this polish really is. This is A England Princess Tears polish from The Mythicals collection. It is described as "lilac with an incandescent holo finish revealing gray/green."

Photo from A England Polish

All of the A England polishes that I have tried are just beautiful. They can be purchased in the US from Llarowe  or from the UK A England. I do not have any affiliation with either of these companies. I have purchased polish from Llarowe several times and have been very happy with them.

I hope you will join me along with all the other fashionable ladies for Visible Monday and Monday Mingle.

Visible Monday - My summer go-to outfit

Another Visible Monday and another maxi dress. These are so comfortable to wear in this hellishly hot weather we have been having this summer. I don't wear them every day, but on weekends it is so easy to put on and go. The maxi has become my go to outfit. (I think it has something to do with not having anything tight around my middle. LOL!)


After seeing the pictures, I think that I would prefer a black topper over the white. I have one, but it required ironing and I didn't want to take the time to drag out the ironing implements. I just realized that I haven't ironed anything since I retired. When I went to work every day, I ironed almost every morning to keep my outfits crisp looking.  I don't miss work and I don't miss ironing.  Do any of you iron a lot or  do you prefer fabrics that don't require ironing?

Jacket: Consignment Store
Maxi: Chico's
Sandals: Think!

I accessorized with a flower in my hair, a necklace and just a couple of bracelets.

Chico's necklace and bracelet on left side of picture.
Right side: Michele watch and Yurman bracelet

What do you think of wearing a flower in your hair? I liked mine until I saw the pictures and now I'm not so sure about it. I did get a compliment from the checker at the grocery store, which was nice. I think maybe it's just a bit large, or maybe I'm just not used to hair adornments.  

By the way, I changed the font size on this post to a larger size. Should I keep it this size or go back to the default font?

Thank you so much for joining me on this Visible Monday with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style and Monday Mingle post. Don't let us have all the fun, please join us in these fun link-ups that showcase such fantastic style!

Something more important for your hair than an oil treatment or hair conditioner.

First, let me say that I am 100% happy with the oil hair treatment I shared. However, I realized that I had neglected to tell you something that I feel is more important than the oil treatment. No matter what conditioners or treatments you use, if you don't use a SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) free shampoo, you most likely will not get the results you want.

As we age, generally our hair and scalp get dryer and we can experience hair thinning and loss. I know my hair has gotten dryer; it used to be so oily that I shampooed every morning and by night it was oily again. Sulfates can contribute to hair thinning, loss, and dryness.

A while back, Linda made a comment about a blog called Killerstrands (Thank you, Linda!). Finding that blog was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. It is a "Blog about Hair, Hair color, Healthy hair: written by board-certified L.A. Colorist/Stylist". I have learned so much and I am now doing my own bleaching and color using products from their store. I am not affiliated in any way with them except as a satisfied customer and blog follower. I would love to be able to use their deep conditioner Thriven, but I cannot tolerate the scent because of my asthma. That is why I looked for an oil treatment conditioner that worked for me.

Killerstrands features an excellent post about the importance of using sulfate free shampoo which I suggest you read. After reading that post, I did a lot of reading about sulfate free shampoos and I made the decision to switch. It has  made a big, big difference in the condition of my hair. I tried conditioning without changing my shampoo and my results were not that good. No big surprise because I was basically stripping the oil that I had just applied.

I am sure you have probably seen the commercials featuring Dawn Dishwashing liquid being used to remove oil from wildlife affected by oil spills. Guess what Dawn contains that helps remove the oil? Yep, sodium laurel sulfates.  

There are many shampoo and conditioner products available at the drugstore now. L'oreal has a new line available at Walmart. Ulta also stocks a lot of SLS free products. I personally use L'anza. I like their "purple" shampoo for blonds. I alternate it with their regular color save shampoo. It is a bit more expensive, but it works well for me. SLS (Sodium Laurel Sulfate) Free shampoos do not lather up like what we've been used to using. It has taken me a bit to learn not to use so much product trying to get suds. You just don't need as much product. You may have to try a couple of different brands to find the one that works for you. 

I think that sharing knowledge with others is very important and I hope that what I have shared with you will help with your own hair care program. Please do visit Killerstrands blog. Even if you don't want to do your own color, I think that what you can learn from the blog will help you to better communicate with your stylist as to what you want.

Happy Thursday,
Debbi