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.

Arm Party - Bloggers Do It Better

Although almost every day is an Arm Party for me, today I am participating in the Bloggers Do It Better Arm Party organized by Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly. Wow, are there a lot of artistic bloggers participating. I am have been having a lot of fun looking at everyones jewelry.

Today, one of our best local boutiques, Lucinda's, is having their annual 40% off all jewelry sale. I know I don't need any more jewelry, but I love to look (okay, so I bought some.)  I also bought a pair of mittens that have buffalo heads on them. They are hard to describe so I will have to take a picture of them. I know they are silly for a woman my age, but life is too short and I wanted them regardless.

First the Arm Party:


Top Bracelet Lucinda's
Watch: Michele
Swarovski Bracelet
Vintage Rock Bracelet
Stretch gold, turquoise bead Lucinda's
Two gold stone stretch bracelets - old
Lampwork Bead bracelet - Art fair



Necklaces: Vintage ebay
The man petroglyph figure on the leather cord is so cool.





Jacket: Chico's
Tank: Chico's
Jeggings: JMS Walmart
Sandals: Think! Julia
Airedale Terrier: Harry

 This is one of my favorite color combination:. turquoise, gold, black, and coral. I love anything that is vaguely Native American or tribal.  Petrogylphs and cave painting figures fascinate me. I even collect Anasaszi pottery sherds. I love holding a piece of history in my hand and think of the person who created it hundreds of years ago with very primitive tools.

Visible Monday - Tropical color in HOT dry Kansas

My internet has been out for a couple of days and I have been going through withdrawal. Until access is not available, you don't realize what a big part of your life it is.

Today, is once again Visible Monday organized by Patti of Not Yet Dead Style. It is a wonderful way for anyone to not feel invisible in this all too appearance critical world. 

As you will be able to see in today's outfit, I do have a bit of muffin top. My pants are not really tight, I just have a large middle and I refuse to wear "shapewear" which to me is nothing more than a girdle in more modern terms.  Whenever I wear anything that is too tight around my middle, I get nauseated. I have always had this issue, even when I was really thin.  I know some women love shapewear and I am not against it for everyone, just me. 


Jacket: Dillards
Top: Chico's
Jeans: DG2 -HSN
Shoes: Think Julia



Necklace: Vintage

Bracelets: Kate Spade Ric Rack

I absolutely love my Kate Spade Ric Rack bracelets. I have them in several colors and they just work with so many outfits.  My jacket is several years old, but one of my summer favorites. I used to wear it with black pants and a black tee to tone it down when I wore it to work.

I look forward to our Accessory Swap outfit pictures tomorrow. It was organized by Pam at Over50Feeling40 and links to all participants blog's will be available on Pam's blog tomorrow.

What kind of animal is that?

I love to wear this jacket. It is a combination of leopard and zebra print with a bright pink lining. Being as it is not a real animal print, it probably would not please Stacy and Clinton but it sure makes me happy.

My necklace is a vintage Elizabeth Taylor for Avon. It is a Goldcoast Coin Necklace inspired by antique coins collected by Ms. Taylor. Each "coin" is engraved with an E that has the look of an ancient script.  Elizabeth Taylor was an extraordinarily talented women who created a wonderful jewelry collection for Avon.

One thing I know Stacy and Clinton agree with me on is the finishing touch of a jacket. It takes an otherwise plain outfit of jeans and a tee tank and pulls it together to make an outfit that I feel good about wearing for a lunch with a friend.

Many women today have spent most of their adult years working outside the home. I hope that my outfits show that being retired does not mean you have to be any less stylish than you were when you were working.  When I was working, I only wore some of my work wear on the weekends. I tried to keep it "nice" for work. It is so nice to wear whatever I want now without worrying about it. Another nice benefit of retirement is that I can wear jeans whenever I want!  

Jacket: Chico's
Tank: Chico's
Jeans:: BandolinoBlu
Bracelets: Kenneth Cole (I think)
Shoes: Think! Julia Black Patent Sandals



This is our female Airedale, Jada.
We call her our wooly sheep-girl because her coat is so thick and curly.



Elizabeth Taylor for Avon necklace.
It is a fairly heavy and well made piece.


Today I made an investment in a new Canon DSLR camera. I am hoping we can figure out how to use it properly. Last summer I took a class on How to use a Digital camera. I did not realize that it was primarily for DSLR users and not just point and shoot digital camera's. Unfortunately, I don't remember much the teacher showed on DSLR's. At least I will be able to take my own pics using a tripod. I actually had gone to find a new battery for my Sony camera. I was horrified to find out the battery was $57.00. We had been talking about getting a nice camera, so I decided to just purchase it now.  No new clothes for me for a while.

Visible Monday - Blue Monday

Visible Monday, started by Patti at Not Dead Yet Style, is a weekly challenge for everyone, but especially those of us over 50 who choose to show that we are not invisible.  The number of over 50 women is growing every day. As young women, we helped change the world how the world viewed women; as seasoned women hopefully we will change the way that women over 50 are seen and heard.

The song "I am Woman Hear Me Roar" has been playing in my head as I write this. For those of you born after 1973, it is a Helen Reddy song that was used as a voice of the women's lib movement.  In 1973, I was told that I could not have a job because I was a woman and men could not handle a woman telling them what to do. Today, women work in fields we did not dream of in 1973. Back then, the technologies we take for granted today were the stuff of science fiction.  We have the opportunity now to change how women in the future will be perceived. At least I hope we do.

Necklace: Chico's

Bracelets: Left Chico's, Right Vintage & DKNY watch

Jacket: Chico's
Top: Anne Klein
Jeggings: JMS
Sandals: Think

In reviewing my photos, I notice that I usually either roll up my sleeves or just push them up, which is kind of a messy look. I have started thinking that I may tailor the length of my sleeves to either just above the elbow or 3/4 length. I am not sure how to determine which would be better. Any suggestions?

Creamsicle - Orange & Pink

Yet another hot as hades day. If there were a real creamsicle involved I think it would have melted in seconds.  The top I am wearing has hot pink and orange mixed together and reminds me of a creamsicle. There is more pink in the top than the pictures show. Interestingly, I had not noticed that the front of the top has a large area of white that shows up like a bull's eye. I think that from now on, I am going to take a camera with me to buy new clothes. It is amazing to me how much shows up in a photograph that does not in the mirror. 

You have seen Harry, my Airedale Terrier, before, but this is FarleyJoe's first appearance. He is my old boy. We adopted him in 2000 and I don't know how old he was when we got him. He is the sweetest boy anyone could have and is definitely a "momma's boy". He looks a bit like a well loved teddy bear. He cannot handle a day at the groomers, so I trim him myself with scissors. Blame his pitiful grooming on me. Jada, our only girl, was inside and could not be coaxed out. Smart girl. All three are rescues and are our treasures.


FarleyJoe was barking at me as was Harry until he picked up his ball.
Harry wanted to play, FarleyJoe wanted him to leave me alone.



Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Top: Chico's
Shorts: Chico's
Shoes: Think



FarleyJoe, the best, sweetest dog in the world.

Bracelets
Top 2: Chico's
Next 2: Dillard's (One is on top of the other)
Bottom: JCPenney



Necklace: Chicos
The top of the pendant is actually pink and matches the top.
It looks purple here, but it is not at all.



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?

A Minnie Pearl moment

I know some readers will not remember Minnie Pearl. Minnie was a country comedian who wore a hat that had the price tag dangling. Of course, her tag was intentional.

Miss Minnie Pearl

 I went to lunch with some people I used to work with and wore the khaki jacket in my photos below. Somehow, I forgot to remove the tag and when I put the jacket on the darn tag was hanging off the back of my neck (why oh why it couldn't it have hung inside the jacket?).  I sat through the whole lunch and no one said a word until we were leaving and one of the guys said, "do you know you have a tag hanging?" I pulled it off and felt rather embarrassed, although I was very thankful that he told me or I would have gone to a couple of other places inadvertently channeling Miss Minnie. Have you ever had this happen to you?

 I love summer, but this year it has been just miserable here with heat warnings every day. Two people have died from the heat. I cannot imagine what life was like before there were air conditioners or at least fans. My grandparents told us stories of sleeping on the riverbank at night to be able to get at least a little cool breeze. We took the pictures pretty quickly as I was roasting.

My outfit today is a bit of a remix. The jeans I have worn several times and the top was from the military w/feminine touches challenge.

Jacket: Chico's
Top: Dressbarn
Jeans: DG2
Sandals: Think!
Necklace: Ebay



An action photo taken as I said I was done taking pictures
and headed for the a/c.



All Bracelets made by me. Michele Watch

As usual Harry wanted to play ball. He drooled on my leg trying to get me to throw the ball.
Unfortunately, I throw like a girl so the ball never goes very far.

Visible Monday - Lolla Rosa Pink

It is Visible Monday organized by http://notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.com/, the day those of us who occasionally feel invisible become visible women. This outfit makes me happy every time I wear it.  I wore it to dinner tonight at Red Lobster. You would think that a seafood restaurant would have good seafood. It wasn't good at all, except for the biscuits.  Now I remember why it had been so long since we ate there.

Harry wanted to play ball.
He was barking at us, trying to get us to play with him.

Jacket: Chico's
Tank: Chico's Microfiber tank
Jeans: BandolinoBlu
Bracelets: Kate Spade Rick Rack, Vintage Charm Bracelet
Shoes: Think! Julia
Sunflower Pin from a local boutique, Carla's Love It