Visible Monday - A wish for fall weather

I am really wishing for fall weather this year. We have had a couple of lovely fall-like days this month to tease us, but alas, it is still summer like weather here. I took advantage of a below 80 degree day to put on my first real fall outfit. I will admit that I took off the jacket once we got home from going out to eat breakfast as it was just too warm to keep on. Kansas is a state with extremes in weather. We might not even have a fall, we could go straight from summer to winter or we could have a warm winter with few below freezing days like we did last year. My ancestors were definitely hardy souls to live and survive in this windswept plain.

Jacket: Chico's
Top: LYS from KMart
Belt: Coldwater Creek
Jeans: NYDJ Sheri Skinny in Terra Hide
Fisherman sandals: Reiker

I did have on bracelets, but the memory stick on the camera was full so we did not get shots of the bracelets, however you have probably seen them before. I didn't wear a necklace because I thought the belt was enough of an accessory, but in looking at the pictures, I think I could've worn a small scale necklace and it would've looked just fine.

My NYDJ jeans are a coated denim finish distressed to look like leather. They can be purchased from the NYDJ website or Nordstrom's. (The Nordstrom link takes you to the NYDJ Fall lookbook with lots of great outfits featured.) I purchased my jeans from Nordstrom's as they had the plus size before they were offered on the NYDJ site. Both have free shipping and returns. If you are looking for a great fitting pair of jeans, try NYDJ's. They may be a bit more expensive, but if you have one pair of great fitting jeans that make you feel very visible and fabulous, you can get more cost per wear value than if you have several cheaper pair that don't fit as well. For me, the best thing about these jeans is that they are made in the USA!  

Saturday, we stopped by the Meat Market to buy filet mignon's for us and decided to buy some fresh beef bones for the dogs. They spent the afternoon gnawing on the bones and were so exhausted, they slept for hours. Harry even slept through taking the photos which was a first for him.

FarLeyJoE (lettering is intentional, it suits him) on the left and Harry on the right.
 

Please visit the linkup's for Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style and Monday Mingle to viewall the visible fashion inspiration for this week.

Visible Monday - Early fall color

The past year and nine months have been a new journey for me. What I initially thought my wardrobe would be in retirement is not what it has turned out to be. I really thought I would dress every day like I did while working. I thought I would wear all the jewelry and other accessories I did then. I do still try to dress attractively every day, but I don't wear all the accessories I used to on a daily basis.

Sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud when I think of what I named my blog. It should probably be "She Used To Accessorize Well." I have been toying around with the idea of changing the name of my blog to "Forever in Blue Jeans" as it more accurately defines how I dress every day. (Except for my maxi's which are as comfortable as jeans on a hot summer day.) Then I realized that what I wanted this blog to be was to show how I maintain style throughout retirement and that change should be expected. I imagine that my style will likely change even more as the years go by. I suppose that many of you who currently work outside the home will change your style when you retire just as I have. It is an interesting journey to be sure.

When we went to brunch this morning, I felt very Visible and comfortable in this outfit. After discussing vests with Anne at The Frump Factor, I decided to pull one of my favorites out of hiding. I also decided to debut my new Vince Camuto boots. I wasn't going to buy any new boots this season, but the moment I saw these in the fall magazines, I knew that they were ones that I would wear and love for years.

Vest: Orvis
Blouse: Foxcroft
Jeans: LRL
Boots: Vince Camuto

Vince Camuto Winchell Boots

80's Copper/Brass necklace

 

This past week my glasses broke across the nose. Fortunately, the prescription of my old pair was close enough to wear until I can get a replacement frame. Did you know that the warranty on eyeglass frames begins when you purchase them? I thought it started when you actually received them, but was informed differently by the optical store. I had purchased them in the middle of July and did not get them until September 17th. I was a bit upset when they told me I was out of warranty. They did talk to the company that made them and ever so generously informed me that they they would honor the warranty. Although I was happy that they did agree to replace them, I wasn't too happy with their condescending attitude. It used to be that companies stood behind their products without acting like they were doing you a big favor to replace a faulty item. Ah how times have changed.

 

Please visit Not Dead Yet Style and Monday Mingle to see what everyone is wearing this week. I know it will be fun!

No Maxi Monday

For this Visible Monday/Monday Mingle I am not wearing a maxi. I had a new eyelash/confetti scarf that I wanted to wear, so I decided to go with jeans and a tee instead. I don't know about all of you, but I tend to do things in phases. Right now I am wanting to wear scarves. Last fall and winter I wasn't that enthused about wearing them. I tend to go full bore whenever I get interested or intrigued by something. I used to think it was a personality flaw, but now I realize it is just how I roll and accept it.

Tee from 1/2 of 1/2 store
Jeans: French Dressing Jeans
Scarf: from Ann's Fashions
Sandals: Red Patent Think! Sandals

Bracelets on Left: Noosa Amsterdam top, bottom from TJMaxx
Right: Yurman, Yurman, & Bead Bracelet

Harry was wilder than a March hare and was running about like a mad dog. We had to bribe him with biscuits to get him to even stand still. He wanted his picture taken and I had a number of them with noses and tail shots. After the bribery, we did get a few good shots.

Saturday, we went to see the Oscar Meyer WeinerMobile at a local grocery store. It was fun to see. Every bit of it is customized, including the seat covers and dash. I tried to get some good photos of the inside but the glare on the windows made most of the pictures too blurry.

My husband talked to the driver who happened to be a young woman. She said it handled surprisingly well in the wind (we have had some high winds lately) in spite of its ungainly looking body.

I hope all of you have had a lovely Monday and that you visit Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Momtrends for Monday Mingle.

Making a vest out of a scarf - fun for Thursday

Some of you probably already know how to make a vest out of a scarf, but until a week ago I didn't know how to do it. I was in my Chico's store and my favorite sales associate, Pam, showed me how to style the scarf. Because I don't do video's, I checked out YouTube and found several variations of the tying method that I would like to share with you.

First, a warning for those of you who watch at work: there may be music so play at your own risk.

The first video is from CrushClothing. Their channel has a number of other scarf tying videos. This is the style I was shown at Chico's.

The next video is from TheodoraAndCallum, another channel with interesting videos.   

The last video is from Lovelifelivefashion.
 

I think this would also look great belted with a jacket over it. Or belted on its own. It is up to you to create your own spin on this look. With a light wispy scarf this would be pretty over a tee in the summer. I am especially excited to try this with some of my fall scarves. Different size scarves make really different looks with the way they drape.

What ideas do you have for the scarf vest? Have fun!

Zig Zag, Red & Black Monday

Yes, it is another maxi dress. This summer maxi's have been my go to outfit. I think I am now seeing why some of you love dresses so much for their ease of wear. I coveted this one from the moment I saw it in the Chico's catalog. It is easy to dress up or down and I will be able to wear this in the fall with a black leather jacket and booties. The big plus is I got it on sale for half off, then an extra 30% off of the sale price.


Jacket: Coldwater Creek
Dress: Chico's
Sandals: Think! Julia

A few of you have asked about my hair. After seeing so many other over 50 women with longer hair that look very attractive, I decided that I wanted to let it grow. I would like for it to be all one length except for my bangs. I have a long way to go because my last hair stylist decided that I need to have it thinned out and cut a lot of length off the top layers. Longer hair seems to be easier to style than really short hair.  I am still undecided about the color. I really wish that all my hair was gray, but unfortunately I still have quite a lot of darker hair. I stopped coloring it and let it go natural, but it was just such a bland color, just mousy. Any one have any advice? It just seems like no matter whether I have blond or darker hair it is a lot of upkeep.

Please join us for Visible Monday and Monday Mingle for our very own September fashion issue.

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?