Another animal print - fyi on difference in cheetah and leopard

Finally, my camera is charged and the pictures downloaded. Now I can participate in Tammy @ Silverstyle's Trending through the decades - animal prints. I got this shirt/jacket at TJMaxx on a clearance rack. I was so excited when I saw it and especially on clearance. I think it can be worn year round. In the fall and winter, I can wear a long sleeve tee underneath to make it more seasonal.  Right now I have a sleeveless tee underneath. I was determined to find a dark gold top to wear under it. I went to several stores trying to find one. I think I am going to have to learn to sew at least simple tops. I get an idea in my head and I don't want to let go and make do with something else. So, sewing my own seems to be the only way to go. Perhaps this winter I will take on that challenge.

Shirt/Jacket: Susan Bristol - TJMaxx
Tee: CJ Banks
JMS Jeggings Walmart
Tom's Shoes

Forever 21 Necklace

Bracelets from Left top: Forever 21, Necklace worn as bracelet Thrifted
Right top: Michele watch (under bracelet) Both bracelets: Forever 21

Forever 21 has some amazing jewelry. I am not sure how it will hold up over time, but it is certainly inexpensive and pretty.

I don't know if any of you have ever wondered about the difference in cheetah and leopard prints, but I was wondering so I looked it up. Cheetah spots are solid black and leopards are multi-colored rosettes. I think my jacket is kind of a fantasy cheetah as there are gold and dark brown solid spots.

I really, really appreciate the comments my readers leave each day. I have wanted to be able to comment back to many of you, but not everyone has an email attached to their name. Blogger doesn't have a good way to respond to comments, but I found a site that helped me do a hack so that I can respond to you. My comments will not appear directly below yours, but your name will show at the beginning of my comment so you can see to whom I am responding. You will have to subscribe to the comments for each post or just come back and visit again. Again, I really love comments, it lets me improve both the blog content and my outfits.

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



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.

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.