The Long and Short of It

There’s no need to skirt the issue, I absolutely adore styling around  maxi skirts and pencil skirts!  ….Talk about versatile! They can both be worn during all the seasons and also  be dressed up or down.

That being said- I decided to style two different spring looks  centered around  a navy blue maxi skirt and pencil skirt!  I hope you like the two different looks!!

Let’s go with the maxi first!!  Maxi skirts are easily worn by all body shapes! . There are so many gorgeous styles available- for example  draped, pleated, asymmetrical, frilled or straight skirts.   The trick is to choose the one that flatters your shape the most!

One  of the things that I look to avoid is my height or lack there of! At 5’5”,  I am always wanting to appear taller.  That being said, I try to choose a less voluminous shaped skirt, and  wear it at the smallest part of my waist (high waist) so that the skirt’s length will make me  appear to be  taller. I also wear my skirts with heels ( this being for height and the fact that I just love heels -always have…always will!

An easy and versatile color for a maxi skirt is navy blue. It is such an easy color to style throughout the seasons and is a one of the fashion neutral colors which can be worn with any other color.  My skirt is a dark navy blue which can often be seen as a black in a low light.  I always keep navy slacks and skirts (both maxi and pencil skirts)  as  must have elements in my foundational wardrobe.  This skirt  has an elastic waistline and is easy to wear with tops both tucked and untucked.  Today, I chose to pair this skirt with a blue and white dotted tunic. I have also worn this top untucked both loose and flowing as well as belted. It is an extremely easy top to incorporate into many different looks.

A friend of mine teased me about wearing my white boots with the navy maxi. I almost went with navy shoes, but I just could not resist the pop of white peeking out of the hem! They also just seemed to work well with the white shades! I am always excited about the arrival of spring because I am a huge fan of white sunnies and  always bring them out and about on the regular when the weather warms up!!

The second look is styled with a dark navy pencil skirt. I just added this one to my wardrobe from TJ Maxx.   No zipper – it has an elastic waist. So easy to wear.  I wanted to style a little more tailored look with this skirt. I paired it with a  white short sleeved summer turtleneck.

I could easily wear the top and skirt without any other additions, but y’all know that I have to add details to the look.  I have this almost vintage jacket in turquoise and thought that it would be nice with a  navy belt with a  turquoise and pink floral design. Navy Nine West pumps and a pink bag to give a nod to the pink in my belt.

The common elements used in both looks are the white sunnies and the navy hat!  Two different skirts and two different looks can always share common details.  I mention this because so often I have friends who only wear some accessories  with certain outfits -which really is a shame since these elements could really bring a lot to other outfits in their wardrobes. Step out of the routine way of styling looks and mix it up a bit!! Experiment with your baubles!!!!

This spring and summer, take a tour of your closet and pull out those maxi skirts and pencil skirts that you already have. Take note of the colors and styles and style away!!! Mix and Match.  Pay attention to what you see online and on display in the shops. Use what you have and add a few new elements to your wardrobe when shopping.  You will probably be surprised at what potential already exists in your closet.  Let me know if you need help!! I will be glad to lend a fashion hand in any way I can.

After all, we are all on this journey together, and we are all meant to shine!!!  That is what style sisters are for, right!  We should cheer for, support, lift up, and even carry each other if need be!!!  Keep smiling and sharing your light with those around you!!

 

Down to Earth

Every fashion season the designers in Paris, New York, and all the other major fashion meccas, send their models down the runways teasing us with their latest designs and colors!! The shows for the Spring looks were no exception, there were colors galore in all sorts of styles!

Orange red, a deep jester red, turmeric orange, corals, pinks, greens, golds and blues were all there in large numbers! We all know that I adore color and love to style with it.  However, there were also some other colors there that I truly love and which are going to be very hot this spring and summer!!

The earth tones – the most subtle of colors-  are such a rich array of hues, and they are more than perfect additions to our wardrobes. Earth tones are those neutrals that reflect the colors of the earth- sometimes muted and sometimes dark and rich!

 

The color of toffee, soybean, sweet corn, and brown granite and many other shades are part of the earth tone trend for this upcoming season.

 

I love wearing looks with these colors because they are so versatile and very easy to style with.  They are indeed the most versatile of wardrobe color staples and can form at least part of the foundation for your wardrobe!  Here are a few looks from the runways in the earthy tones.

This past week, I decided to put together a few style inspirations from my own closet incorporating some of these neutral earth tones.  Of course, my looks are not runway designs!! They are instead very functional and have a bit of my style. Now, I know it’s not spring yet,  but we all need looks to be part of a transitional wardrobe from winter to spring.

My first look is  a vintage meet modern look! I recently found this neat earth tone print top and have been waiting to style it for this post. I just love the myriad of neutral hues in the print, and I adore the funky buttons!!! I find that vintage clothing always has the best details and oh, the buttons are divine. I chose some simple off white pants, a belt, and my boots to pick up on the color of the buttons.

My purse and my hat are also vintage as well.  The purse is a soft butter color with a brown lucite handle. I was also able to add several of my lucite bangles to the look.  My hat is a jaunty little brown straw creation.  I consider myself lucky to find quite a few vintage items here in Charleston and in Nashville. I do love incorporating the vintage in with my modern pieces.

My second look brings in a medium hue of camel in a simple sheath dress with 3/4 sleeves and a belt. I decided to add a pop of color to the look with my accessories. It’s a simple look, and an easy one to style.

My  maroon boots are  from Tommy Hilfiger. My scarf is actually reversible with different shades of camel and maroon. I also added my maroon hat to the look. My wooden necklace brought an extra texture to the outfit.

The last look that I styled was completely neutral and another vintage meets modern look.  I recently purchased this  vintage lace dress from Buffalo Exchange for such a fabulous price. I am so looking forward to all the ways that I will be able to style it this spring and summer.  I paired it with a long lace jacket in a soft, soft butter hue. I included the same belt from my first look to tailor the jacket a bit, but the jacket can also be worn open and unbelted.  I will style it that way soon.

My hat is a soft straw bonnet with an oversized brim that can be adjusted into different silhouettes. The addition of neutral pumps and a floral bag complete the soft and feminine look.

Neutrals are always on my BOLO (be on the lookout list) when I go shopping because I can always use them in styling so many looks. They are essentially the workhorses of my wardrobe. I hope that you have found a little inspiration for styling some looks with these hues. Visit your closet – pull those neutrals out- and style away!!

Chillin’ Like a Villain During the Holidays!

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is this week!! How in the world did that happen? It seems like November just began, but in reality.  Holiday mode is in full swing.

Susie’s family just celebrated an early Thanksgiving this past weekend with their  youngest son and his beautiful wife from Nashville  and are now preparing for their  next Gobble till You  Wobble moment this week!!  Honestly, how much turkey and drsssing can one eat? Obviously- a lot!!!😘

With all the joy of this wonderful time of year, stress inevitably creeps in and robs us of  some of our joy and peace of mind.  Do y’all find yourselves feeling like there’s not enough time, not enough money, not enough decorations……. Just Not Enough!!      The truth is that the world would have us believe that we are not ENOUGH, but we are ENOUGH!  Comparing ourselves to others and running a rat race will not bring any joy to our Holiday Season!  We wanted to take moment today to share a few ways to avoid holiday stress, keep it all in perspective, and help you enjoy this time!

• Spend some time with your friends. Invite some of your besties over for some laughs and maybe some desserts and wine!  How about a movie and snacks including some hot chocolate!!!!! Don’t make it a fancy deal! Just come together to talk, to laugh, and be together!  The busy always threatens to take over….. don’t  let it happen!!

• Keep a couple of gifts on hand!  How many times do you need an extra gift for someone who drops by and gives you a small gift or surprises you at work with one.  Choosing something that will work for anyone and stocking up on a few can really save the day and decrease the anxiety!  Also, if you choose something that can be used year round like lotion or a great candle or a cozy blanket, then you can still use it for a gift  if you don’t give it to someone for Christmas!

• Use a Holiday Gift tracker.  If your life is like ours then either you or someone you know has either forgotten to purchase a gift you had planned to buy or even worse have purchased two of something because you forgot that you had already gotten the gift!  Hey, it happens- so we have included a downloadable gift tracker!! Keeping a record makes life easier. https://www.iheartplanners.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/GiftTracker1.pdf.

•  Give Up Control.  Since there’s only so much time in a day and you have a limited amount of energy, another way to reduce your stress is to ask for help from others.     Even after you’ve told yourself that you don’t have to do it all, you might think that you’re so much in control that you can go for it anyway. . When you push  yourself beyond what’s realistic it  will leave you stressed out  and exhausted. Here is where you must know and respect your own limits and never exceed them. You may be tempted, but don’t give in.   Not trying to shoulder everything by yourself will go a long way to make the season the most wonderful time of the year.

On the  fashion front, our advice is simple!!!

• Wear some comfortable and stylish sweaters!!!  The look that we have styled for you is a simple layered look. Susie started with a black maxi skirt embellished with some fabulous gold buttons and a black turtle neck! She layered it with a black and white cardigan  for some contrast and added warmth.  She added an awesome vintage belt with a black and white herringbone pattern trimmed with red! She paired this look with a fabulous purse that was a birthday present from her daughter in kaw’s Mom and grandmom. Her shoes are laser cut booties in a vibrant red!!!   Don’t you just love to style looks with a once cardigan that serves both with function, comfort, and style.

As we close this post, we leave you with one last tip! Keep it simple, our fabulous sisters! Share time with your friends and loved ones, and most of all remember the Reason for the Season!!!

Many Blessings  and a Happy Thanksgiving from our hearts to yours!!!🔸🔸🔸

 

 

 

Wide Leg Alert!!!

2018 is here and with it – lots of new looks and trends!!! Well, maybe not all new looks!! Remember, fashion trends like everything else in the world tend to cycle in and out.  For some of us, we keep on wearing what we like regardless of the trends!!

That being said!! A trend from the 70’s and 80’s  is back- The wide legged trousers also known as palazzos are back and ready to help us feel chic and feminine while still maintaining that level of comfort we all so enjoy!! Some of us may even remember ABBA! A little Dancing Queen!!!

We do know one thing for sure about this style of pant! Women tend to  decidedly either love or hate this style! So in order to toot the horn about  the positive aspects of the look, we decided to provide some style information on them.

Let’s look at what this style can do for us!  Do you have big hips or wide shoulders ? They can help balance them. This style of pants can also  assist us in having a more ideally proportioned silhouette by helping to elongate our legs and slim our waist!!  That is a win-win, ladies! How many of us complain about our height and yearn for the legs for days look!  Longer legs- anyone???  A  leaner look?

This pant style easily delivers a classy and elegant look which is what 2018 fashion trends are all about! They can also be found in so many different colors and styles making them easy to find and a way to have variety in your wardrobe. Whether you go with a to the floor length or a cropped look.

These pants are also versatile and can be paired with all sorts of different tops.  They look good with anything from fitted to baggy and loose-fitting styles!

 

If you want to try on a fitted style, we suggest that  a neutral colored slim blouse, or a button-down shirt even paired with a classic blazer might be some ideas  for the office environment.  For  a night-out on the town  look, maybe  try  a cropped  top or some kind of fancy blouse.  If you want to wear a loose-fit top, then be ready to tuck it inside trousers, this trick will underline your waistline and keep your silhouette look ladylike.

 

They look good when paired with sandals, heels, wedges or flats! Just make sure that if you choose a flat shoe, the length of your pant does not trip you up! Also, keep in mind that you are looking to add height and a leaner look,  you might want to go with a heel! Again this is a personal choice depending on each of you fabulous divas and what you are looking to achieve in your personal look!!

There is definitely a comeback in this spiral of fashion to the looks from the 70’s and 80’s in the pant styles!!! These pants are cool, fun, and sophisticated—- just like you!!!  So whether you decide to wear them with casual or dressy tops, just have fun with it!! They do indeed look fabulous with almost anything!!

So, play a little Cyndi  Lauper  “Girls Just Wanna Have fun”,  release your 70’s and 80’s self, embrace your individuality and stand out in the crowd!!