What a Retired Boomer Wears on a Casual Day

I am always in awe of the fabulous outfits that my fellow bloggers create. There are so many with unique, elegant, quirky, artistic, or classic style that I adore seeing every day.  I am not sure that my outfit for today's Visible Monday is really even blogworthy. I have found that the longer I am retired, the less likely I am to dress to the nines. I still try to dress nicely, but my reality is much different than those of you who are still in the work force. Today's outfit illustrates that new reality. It was far too warm for a jacket (we had a record high yesterday) and we only went to the grocery store, so my fanciest accessory was a scarf.

Shirt: Lauren
Jeans: Chico;s
Shoes: Boutique 9
Scarf: Next

I did wear a scarf on my wrist as well as around my neck. I have seen several bloggers wear a wrist scarf and I decided to try it as well. I don't think I will do it again because it is too difficult to keep it dry when I wash my hands. Cute, but impractical.

No Harry photo today because he was too busy watching a squirrel to be bothered with us.  

I hope you all have a wonderful week and enjoy today's linkups for Visible Monday and Monday Mingle.

Cold weather has arrived

First, on this Veteran's Day, I would like to thank all our Veterans for their service to their country and all its citizens. 

In one day, we went from almost 80 degrees F to freezing with 40 mph wind, which is rather typical Kansas weather. Now I remember why I do not like to wear dresses. After seeing so many bloggers wear dresses and tights, I decided to give it a try myself for my Visible Monday outfit. I bought a really pretty sweater dress and some black tights. The sweater dress was only $11.00 at the 1/2 of 1/2 Store. The tights I had gotten to wear with a dress for a wedding we attended Friday night. (More about that later.) I think the next time I wear the sweater dress it will be with skinny jeans underneath and not tights. Brrr, cold!

Sweater dress: Style & Co via 1/2 of 1/2 Store
Blouse: Foxcroft
Boots: Aerosoles
Megan Mae button flower

Aerosoles Sota Boots

Friday night we attended the wedding of two of the loveliest young people I have ever met. Quinn, the bride, is the daughter of my best friend. She and her husband Stuart are the kind of young people every parent would want their children to grow up to be. They are both hard-working and focused on their futures.  In an era when weddings can often be ostentatious expensive extravaganzas, they chose to make their focus on family and friends and their love for each other. Their wedding was simply elegant and suited them perfectly. I felt lucky to be a part of their beautiful day. Thank you Quinn and Stuart and I wish the best of everything to you both. May you always be as happy as you were on your wedding day.

I hope you will all join me for our fun Visible Monday and Monday Mingle weekly fashion linkup.

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 Maxi Take Two

It is so unbearably hot here (111F)  that I spend as little time outside as possible. Consequently, my outfit was photographed indoors yet again this week. You are probably groaning and saying "not another maxi!", but they are so comfortable on hot days. Lately, they seem to be my go to outfit. Are any of you embracing the maxi dress or skirt more this summer?

This dress is one I purchased at the Salvation Army Thrift store for $6.99. The SA thrift is a bit more expensive than Goodwill, but still quite affordable. This dress proves the adage that you should look outside your size range. Believe it or not, it is a size 10! (At least that is what the tag said.) The top is puckered with elastic thread and looks just like some of the dresses that I have seen in retail stores. The denim shirt is the same one I wore last week. It has a better fit over dresses than a denim jacket and it is much lighter weight. 



Dress: Thrifted
Denim Shirt: Consignment
Shoes: Think! Sandals
Handsome Harry Airedale

I accessorized with colorful beaded bracelets and a Chico's necklace with an orange enamel flower.

Purchased at different stores.

I hope you will join me with the everyone else at Visible Monday on Not Dead Yet Style and Monday Mingle with Glamamom. Have a great Monday.

Visible Monday Brights

I just got a new computer and boy do I feel like I have entered a new dimension. Going from Windows Vista to Windows 7 is like going to a whole new world. I love and hate getting a new computer. It takes so long to figure out where all the controls are and get everything set up in a format that you can use.  I had to get a new computer because my old one is making funny noises which generally means a crash is eminent. I don't have everything transferred yet. That is a whole other issue involving a new cable (I think.)

Jacket: Chadwick's purchased at 1/2 of 1/2 store
Maxi dress: Casual Living purchased at 1/2 of 1/2 store
Sandals: Think! Julia

I know a while back someone wrote a post about what makes you feel old and I think some said that maxi dresses made them feel old. For me, it makes me feel great and very visible. A great thing for Visible Monday.

I realized that I rather like wearing a maxi dress and like it far more than a knee length dress. I'm not sure why, I just know I feel comfortable in a long dress. Both the jacket and dress were purchased new with tags at the 1/2 of 1/2 Name Brand store. I discovered that the Casual Living company had been purchased by Chadwick's who in turn recently filed bankruptcy. My guess is that all the clothing from Casual Living was being closed out as the store doesn't seem to exist now. It is sad to me that so many well-known companies are having to file bankruptcy and close.



I don't have any photos of my accessories today because the memory card was full and my dear husband wanted to get to sleep. I wore coin jewelry with Elizabeth II on it to honor QE on her diamond jubilee. I'll try to post a separate photo of the necklace and bracelets later this week. 


For you plus-size ladies, I hope to have some pictures of some new things I got from K-Mart. Yes, K-Mart, I found it hard to believe too, but I found some tops on sale that are actually stylish. 



I hope you have all had a wonderful Monday. I am linking up with Visible Monday and also Monday Mingle. I certainly enjoy seeing everyone's outfits. It is kind of like my own special fashion magazine issue every Monday. 

Visible Monday Brights Trending Through the Decades

Today I am linking up with Patti of Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Tammy of SilverStyle for Trending Through the Decades - Brights. 

My outfit today is really bright. I recently purchased this coral jacket at a consignment store. I hesitated to buy it because it is so bright and the fabric has a sheen on it. I really do like it, but goodness, it wrinkles something awful and I didn't expect that. Usually I will crinkle up a bit of fabric on a garment to see if it wrinkles, but this time I didn't probably because I was so distracted by the QVC tag still being on it. I am seriously thinking of buying a steamer to remove wrinkles. I have an intense dislike of ironing and irons. Iron's seem to know that I don't like them and go out of their way to burn me or the item I am ironing. (For those of you who are Terminator fans, I think Skynet snuck in intelligent irons as the first step in machine world domination.)

Jacket: Dialogue from Consignment
Tee: Coldwater Creek
Jeans: Lane Bryant
Sandals: Think!

I kept my jewelry to a minimum. I wore my Monogram necklace (not shown) and signature bracelets. I thought this outfit was bright enough to stand on its own. 

My nails are one of my favorite bright red polishes, Sinful Colors - Sugar Sugar. I have a couple of nails on my right hand that have been peeling and breaking so I decided to try something different. I bought some Nailene glue on nails. I will have to wait until I remove them to really do a review on them. I do like them a lot as they look somewhat real and so far are not coming off. The perfect shape is a big clue to them not being real, but they do look lovely. 

My dear husband is still trying to get adjusted to his new shift work schedule so I haven't had any photos taken of my outfits. I am still dealing with my knee issues. My family Doctor thinks I may have a torn meniscus so I have an appointment to see a specialist this week. I am hoping he will be able to help me without surgery. 

On a side note, I thought I was experimenting with the new updated Blogger and ended up converting my blogs to the new template. I do not like the new template at all. When I was working I helped develop new software interfaces and did a lot of user testing. Programmers love to add new features which are often not what users want. Some of our programmers would accuse users of being Luddites and not like what the programmers gave them.  Sometimes that was true, but more often than not it was that the new interface didn't provide what the users needed for how they used the tool. Okay, I will get off my soap box now. Just sayin' new is not always better.

Please check out Visible Monday and Trending Through the Decades - Brights and enjoy some fashion inspiration created by real women for the real world.

Visible Monday/Monday Mingle

It is Monday and that means Monday Mingle and Visible Monday linkups. I never used to look forward to Monday's, but now I do thanks to bloggers Glamamom and Not Dead Yet Style.

Today's outfit has one of my favorite color combinations: black, cream, and hot pink. The jacket is one I have had for a long time. I quit wearing it when I was working because a woman I worked with had one too. She was not one of my favorite people and seeing the jacket on her made me not want to wear it. Now that I am retired, I am back to wearing it. It has all over cream embroidery. I am a sucker for embroidery. We are often inspired to wear an item of clothing due to seeing someone we admire wear it, but have you ever had a piece of clothing take on a negative connotation due to seeing someone else wear it?

Somewhere I saw a photo of someone wearing sheer lace with a bright color underneath. It inspired me to put my hot pink tank under my cream lace tee. I think I will be combining more bright colors under it. It certainly makes it a much more versatile layering piece.


Jacket: CJBanks
Lace Tee and Pink Tank: Chico's
Jeans: French Dressing Jeans
Shoes: Payless



Scarf/Necklace: Vintage
Monogram necklace: Max & Chloe
Bracelets on Left Side of Picture: Self Made
Bracelets on Right: My Signature Yurman

The pearls are kind of a woven tube that allow you to thread a scarf through them. It belonged to a friend of my Mother's. She gave it to Mother who gave it to me. I had put it away in a "safe place"; so darn safe that I forgot where I put it. I found it not to long ago and decide it would provide the perfect touch for this outfit.

If you like my shoes (which I love by the way) they are on sale right now for $19.99 at Payless ShoeSource. These shoes are available in wide width as well.

Claire Shoe from Payless

Please visit Not Dead Yet Style and Glamamom for Visible Monday and Monday Mingle. It's a whole lotta fun for a Monday!

A Whole Lotta Layerin' Goin' On - Visible Monday and Monday Mingle

Today I am linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and the Bon Bon Rose Girls for Monday Mingle.

My last 4 days have been spent with my leg propped up and ice packs on my knee. After my acupuncture on Friday I felt better so I went out and walked some at the mall. Big mistake. By the time I got home, my knee was really swollen and hurt like the dickens. So, I haven't been up and out much for the past few days. I had to get dressed today to participate in the linkup's, so this is what I wore on this gray, cool, rainy day. Not that I am complaining because we needed the rain as we have been in a severe drought condition for months.



Green Jacket: Chico's
Leopard Jacket: Dressbarn
Gold Lurex tee: Von Maur
Lace Tee: Chico's
Jeans: FDJ
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell



Necklace: Ann's Fashions
Bracelets on Left: Miscellaneous stretch beaded
Ring: Inherited 1950's Citrine from Brazil
On right: Michele Watch, Yurman bracelets

I bought the sleeveless, pale gold lurex tee, which has WAY too low of a neckline and is way too thin, because I thought it might be a good layering piece. I played around with what jacket to wear with it and picked these two when I realized I liked the leopard jacket layered under the green jacket, so that's how I came up with this combo.

I don't have on nail polish right now, just a Julep Nail Therapy to help my nails. I think that changing polish as often as I did was causing some peeling on my nail tips. I am thinking of polishing them with a mint green though and probably will. I will try to take some breaks between colors for a while. but now that I am accustomed to having polish on I just feel kind of bare without it.

I told you all that I would report back on the acupuncture treatment. It was very interesting and not painful. I only felt a couple of tiny pricks of the needles (which were very small.)  I was kind of surprised at how painless it was. Afterwards, I could not even see where the needles had been placed even though I knew where some of them had been. I did feel better after the treatment and would definitely do it again.

Please visit the Visible Monday and Monday Mingle linkup's to see what stylish outfits everyone is wearing this fine day.

A Visible Monday, A Monday Mingle, and A Giveaway Winner

I am so excited to announce the winner of my giveaway! Kiah of From the Rez to the City is the winner of the Elizabeth Taylor for Avon necklace. Kiah it will look so beautiful on you! If you haven't visited Kiah's blog, please visit From the Rez to the City. Kiah has amazing style and is a wonderful person too!

Today I am linking up with Patti of Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and MomTrends for Monday Mingle. My outfit for today is a combination of bright and deep colors. The pants are the bright blue ones that I bought at Lane Bryant. I realized after wearing them that they are not denim, but instead a twill fabric that wrinkles quite a lot. I sure hope they wash up well. I haven't had a iron in my hand since I retired. I don't even know if it works any more.

Jacket: Chico's
Top and Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Sheri Poe via HSN

This pose is actually a lot like the real me. I am always pushing up my glasses.

Bracelets Top to Bottom:
Large enamel bangle on top: Talbot's
3 Ric Rack bangles: Kate Spade
Bottom Bracelet: Vintage from 60's
Nail Polish: Zoya Ibiza topped with Lynnderella Shape Shifter

My husband was informed that he has to go to third shift this month. That means my photographer will be MIA a lot. I am hoping to still have photos that feature outfits I am wearing, but if not, it will give me the opportunity to do some outfit/accessory styling on a dressform. That can be fun too as it will allow me to do multiple stylings of the same outfit with different accessories.

Does the change the daylight saving time affect you? It sure does me. I have a hard time adjusting to losing an hour. I will have to set the alarm this week to make sure I can make it to my yoga class on time. I wish they would just leave the darn time alone!

Please visit Visible Monday and Monday Mingle to see what everyone is wearing this week.

Visible Monday (Kind of)

I am linking up with Patti of Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Glamamom for Monday Mingle. The outfit I have for you today is one I wore several days ago. I have not been feeling too great the past few daysd and will probably spend Monday in PJ's. I don't know if I caught some bug my husband has or if it is the allergies/bronchitis I seem to get a couple of times a year. Because I have asthma, anything that affects my lungs really packs a mean punch. Since my photographer is ill too, there have been no outfit photos for several days.

Jacket: Lane Bryant
Blouse: Old Navy
Tee: Coldwater Creek
Jeans: NYDJ
Shoes: Tom's burlap

The top is very sheer and requires a tank underneath.
It is very flowy and has tucked pleats in the front and tiny bits of red splashed throughout.

Necklace: Chico's

On Wednesday, I will be having a giveaway of a vintage Elizabeth Taylor for Avon Necklace. Please stop back by and enter. In the mean time, please visit Patti for Visible Monday and Glamamom for Monday Mingle.

Visible Monday Mingle

Visible Monday with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style and Monday Mingle  with the Bon Bon Rose Girls makes Monday's so much more fun. I have been saving this outfit for a while and decided that today was the day to wear it. I love turquoise and apple green together. My blouse has those colors in it to pull the outfit together. We only went to Walmart Neighborhood Market and to breakfast so it wasn't visible for a very long period and I doubt anyone even noticed my outfit. However, I felt visible and happy in it. One side of my collar kept flipping up and of course my photographer did not notice it and tell me to fix it or the piece of hair that stuck out funny. Oh well, since I don't pay him I guess I should just keep quiet about it.

Jacket: Chico's faux leather
Blouse: CJ Banks
Tee: Coldwater Creek
Jeans: NYDJ Coated Denim
Shoes: Joseph Seibel
Belt: From France Luxe

These Not Your Daughter's Jeans are among my favorites. They are a coated denim and fit like a dream. They aren't tight around the waist and fit very well through the hips and thighs. If you haven't tried them, I would say to at least try them on. While they are more expensive than other jeans, they can be found on sale and even at full price are worth it for the fit. I bought these myself at full price, so it is a very honest review.

Necklace: Chico's

The little white rectangular piece on the necklace is going to be removed. I kept thinking it was a price tag, so I am sure other people probably will too, so it will be taken off before I wear this again.

Please make your Monday better by visiting the linkups Visible Monday and Monday Mingle. 

Visible Monday #34

Another Visible Monday with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style.  I cannot believe how quickly each Monday rolls around. In order to have this outfit ready for VM, it is not what I am wearing on Monday; I actually wore it to breakfast with my husband.

This outfit is comprised of pieces you have seen before. I am trying to take note of the items that I seem to go to most often. I love the colors in the blouse and of course a navy jacket goes with so many things. I decided that I needed to start wearing my cowboy boots more, so I did.  An acquaintance has a pair that she wears with everything and she always looks so unique and cool.


Jacket: Chico's
Blouse: Foxcroft via eBay
Jeans: French Dressing Jeans
Boots: Old Gringo
Flower pin: Etsy

 

Chiffon flower from etsy seller tijusai

I have seen several bloggers wearing chiffon flower pins and I wanted one so much. I find so many lovely things on Etsy and these flowers were no exception. This flower is actually a bonus flower the seller sent me with my order of 3 other flowers.  I will wear the others soon because I just cannot wait to wear them. 

Friday I went to our local Women's Fair. It features shopping, food and beauty demonstrations, health and wellness exhibitors, and other things of interest to women. It wasn't as good as it has been in the past, but I still enjoyed myself. I got a free 5 minute massage from a local spa and as a result, I booked a massage for Wednesday morning. I had a massage probably 30 years ago, and I am looking forward to having another. Do any of you have regular massages? Do you think it improves your health?

Please visit Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Monday Mingle (sorry, I could not find the link at the time I published this).

Visible Monday & snow!

Today I am linking up with Patti of Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday. It is a snowy, c-c-cold Monday here in Kansas. This is the first really measurable snowfall we have had this winter. I would be perfectly happy with snow if it did not end up on streets or sidewalks.  Back when I worked, I would be a nervous wreck by the time I got to work. My hands almost had to be peeled off the steering wheel and my muscles would be stiff and sore from tensing up so much. Fortunately, I don't have to drive anywhere today so I can sit at home and just look out at it.

My outfit today is really bright colors. You have seen the jacket and jeans before.  I think I was laughing at Harry who was being very silly as usual.



Jacket: Chico's
Top Ann Klein
Jeans: Purple NYDJ
Booties: Arche



Me & Harry "The Ham"

Arche Booties

I got my Arche booties from eBay. I thought they would be plenty large as they were a size 38 which I normally wear, but these babies run small. I cannot wear socks with them as they fit like a glove without them. So, when it is really cold, these boots don't get worn. The leather is just so soft though and the color is gorgeous. It is so hard for me to get shoes on eBay. Even with accurate measurements, they often don't fit correctly.

Please visit Not Dead Yet Style for the Visible Monday linkup. It is always fun to see what everyone is wearing to be visible.

Visible Monday Animal Print Style

I am linking up with Patti from Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday #32 and Bon Bon Rose Girl's Monday Mingle. My outfit is a mix of some wild animal patterns.  My top is tiger and my jeans are cheetah. I know it is a fashion faux pas to mix two animal patterns, but I was feeling a bit ornery, so I decided to go ahead with it. We went for breakfast and then to the Walmart Market, so there weren't many folks to see this outfit. 

Jacket: Talbot's
Top: Anne Klein, Macy's
Jeans: NYDJ
Shoes: Teva

Necklace: Forever21

Shoes: Teva

I have to include this picture of me and my dear Harry. He is always a big help with taking pictures. We probably spend more time laughing at him than we do at serious picture taking.

What a face! Mr B had to whistle to get him to
settle down and look forward instead of looking up at me.

I hope you will visit Not Dead Yet Style's Visible Monday and Bon Bon Rose Girl's Monday Mingle  view all the lovely women who participate in these wonderful linkups.

Visible Monday , New Hair Colors & Etsy

Today, I am linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday #31.  Please check out all the participants. I know I find every Visible Monday fun and I am amazed at how wonderful everyone looks in their own visible style.

Friday, I got my hair color weaved. Brenda, my hairdresser, used 3 colors--blond, dark brown, and a purple red (that I chose.) It is certainly different to see myself in the mirror! The colors will no doubt fade, but right now they are certainly visible.

A couple of my items today are from Etsy. I really like to shop on Etsy because I can find things that are very unusual and unique. I also like to support small businesses or individual artists and Etsy is one way to do so. If you have never visited it here is a link to it> Etsy  It can be as addictive as Pinterest!



Jacket: Chico's
Blouse: Dillards
Jeans: NYDJ Cheetah wash
Shoes: Joseph Siebel



Hand Painted Silk Scarf from Etsy
MuseSilkPainting
Nail polish: Sinful Colors Sugar Sugar



Spats from Etsy
SewMuchStyle

I wore the spats, which are made from recycled suit coats, to cover my socks. I received several compliments on them. I have had them for quite a long time and this is the first time I wore them, but it won't be the last. I can see now that they are great for covering the tops of your shoes to hide your socks.

Have you ever purchased any items from sellers on Etsy?

Monday - Visible and Mingled

Today I will be linking up with Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and with Monday Mingle hosted by GlamaMom.

MenopausalSuperModel asked me how I style my NYDJ Cheetah jeans. You will see one of the ways that I wore them today. I find they are surprisingly easy to style because the pattern is rather subtle. I LOVE these jeans. This jacket is really more red than it appears here.

Red Jacket: Dillards
Blouse: Dillards
Scarf: Chico's
NYDJ: Sheri Skinny Cheetah wash from Nordstrom
Shoes: Joseph Siebel

I think you may soon be sick of seeing me in these jeans. They are comfortable, cool, and as a bonus, on trend. My husband couldn't see the pattern, even when I asked him to take a closeup of them. The closeups did not come out very well, so I have a picture of the jeans from Nordstrom's website. The picture makes the legs look much narrower than they actually are. If you can wear a petite size, Nordstrom has this jean in petite for 50% off. (I wish that had been the plus size price!)



Source

Tomorrow, I will show you yet another outfit wearing these same jeans.  WhoWhatWear has a trend feature on animal print jeans.  I know some women are not comfortable wearing animal print jeans, would you be?

Visible Monday-Pretty Posies

Today, for Visible Monday, I am using an outfit that I wore a week or so ago. I hurt my knee in yoga on Thursday. I have been spending time with my leg propped up and iced. Why is it that as soon as you injure yourself, you think "I shouldn't have done that"? I was attempting a camel pose and when I leaned back, I heard and felt something pop in my knee. It didn't hurt much that day, but with each passing day I starting feeling more pain and have had trouble walking. Needless to say, posing for pictures hasn't been high on my list of things to do.

I told my husband I wanted to do some "poses" and this is one of the results. I am still trying to figure out how to look natural and yet not stiff.I look at other bloggers poses, but some just don't seem natural to me.  Any suggestions?


Jacket: TanJay from Dillards
Blouse: Dillards
Jeans: DG2 HSN
Shoes: Walking Cradles

 

 I purchased this necklace at a local boutique that features jewelry, clothing, and other items made by local artists. I couldn't resist this necklace made from vintage pins.   I think I need to do a bit of rework on it as the pin between the yellow and orange flowers keeps flipping over as it did in this photo.

Necklace: Rebecca's boutique
Named: Posies



Bracelet on left: Lucinda's boutique
Bracelets on right: Yurman
Michele watch
Nail polish: Revlon Blue Lagoon with Whimsical top coat

Please take a moment and go visit Not Dead Yet Style to see the styles the lovely Visible Women are showing today.  I am also linking up to Monday Mingle hosted today by BonBon Rose Girls. The linkup's sure make Monday a Fun day!

The dude dissed me & what I wore when he did

I am going to post my outfit photos before I get into the story about the photographer who dissed me. If you don't want to read about it, you won't have to do so.  As to the outfit, I am participating in Visible Monday with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style.

Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Houndstooth Blouse: Foxcroft
Scarf: From Aspen Boutique
Jeans: NYDJ from Zappos
Shoes: Pencey

I have been wearing these jeans way too much this past week. I just love them. There are most likely people who think someone 60 shouldn't wear red jeans, but I sure do like them. They make me feel very visible and happy. I am thinking of getting some cobalt blue colored jeans.

Necklace: Max & Chloe



Bracelets: Yurman
Nail polish: Dark Blue Zoya polish, Tart

 The dude who dissed me was the freelance photographer who taught the Saturday photography workshop I attended. It was a real disappointment as most of the time was spent with him bragging about the beautiful models he had taken photos of and how he was such a great photographer. Some of the pictures he had taken were good and the women were beautiful, but I am thinking that is generally what models are supposed to be.

He decided to set up some strobe lights and umbrellas to impress us with his great knowledge. None of the people in the class wanted to take photos set up like that. All of us were more interested in how to tell a story with our photos, which is what the workshop was supposed to be about. While he was setting up, an attractive, thin, young woman came in thinking that our class was part of the digital arts open house at City Arts. When she realized that it wasn't she left to go look around. He asked which of us would want to be the "model" for his photos. No one else wanted to, so I said I would. I thought I might learn something by having a professional take the photos. 

I stood up in front of the lights and his first remark was that the first picture would probably be really bad. He looked at it and said, yeah, it is really bad. Then he took another and said the lighting wasn't right and asked us to look and see if we could tell what should be done to make it better. In the photo, my hair had washed out into the background. Heck, I had no idea what needed to be done. Then he said, "It is too bad we can't get that other woman back here to model, she was really beautiful." So, then one of the guys went to look for her and brought her back so she could be the model. I was thinking, what the heck? If all you are doing is showing us how lighting changes the picture, why am I not good enough as a model? If you are a professional, shouldn't you be able to make almost anyone look good?

I know I am old, fat, and not beautiful, but to be pushed aside as not good enough to photograph was very hurtful. The photographer wasn't attractive by any means. Until he started talking and bragging, I had not judged him by his looks and probably would not have had he not been so crass. Why is it that even unattractive men think only beautiful, thin, young women have any value?  I wish I was one of those people who could come up with snarky comments on the fly, because if I was I sure would've said something to him! Nah, I wouldn't have, because I am a lady and ladies don't say snarky things to others. (A shout out to Serene at the Elegant Bohemian who may be posting more about what constitutes being a lady.)

Physical beauty fades and is an product of genetics, not something you can take credit for anyway. You can be beautiful on the outside and have a really ugly personality. Thank goodness not every fashion blogger is beautiful. To me the most interesting are those who are creative, intelligent, and kind. The passing time will not take character away from you and that is truly beautiful. 

Sadly, I didn't really learn anything in the class other than I would never ever take another class where he was the teacher.

Visible Monday - What I Wore on New Year's Day

Today I am participating in Visible Monday #27 with Patti @ Not Dead Yet Style. This outfit is what I wore on New Year's Day to go to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie. It is very, very visible with all the gold metallic threads in the jacket.

I really enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes--lots of action and suspense. We rarely go to movies at the theater because we have cable with all the movie channels which allows us to see most anything we want. There are some movies that need to be seen on the big screen and this is one of them. 

Jacket: Chico's
Top: Talbot's
Jeans: NYDJ from Dillards
Booties: Orange Suede Nine West

This outfit looks better in person than in these photos



Nail polish is Edyta by Zoya
The bracelet closet to my watch is my new bangle bracelet from Yurman
It was a birthday present from my Mother, Sister & Brother-in-Law

One of my goals for the new year is to learn more about photography. I just signed up for a workshop on Fashion Photography taught at City Arts. I will be sure to share any tips I get with all of you.

I have also been tossing around the idea of taking some shots of outfits that are displayed on a dressform. That would allow me to showcase some accessories and illustrate how different accessories look on the same outfit. I can do these type of shots myself and not have to inconvenience my husband with waiting on me to change accessories. What do you all think? Would it be something you would be interested in seeing?

With Pam's (of over50feeling40) help, I am also planning on interviewing some local boutique owners and showcasing some of their merchandise. I know I enjoy seeing what different things are available in different areas of the country.

When we were about done taking pictures, my husband asked Harry if he wanted to pose for a picture. He is so funny! He came straight over and sat down in front of me to have his picture taken. Usually, we have to try to get him to sit still. He adds a lot of life to our home as do the other two Airedales. I will leave you with a photo of me and silly Harry.

Harry