Sometimes a "Loss" is a Win...

Once upon a time, there was a little girl living in rural southern Indiana.  There, she learned the love of watching college basketball games...

Turns out, that girl is me... Although I haven't lived in Indiana for almost 20 years, I adore watching college basketball--especially when my Indiana University Hoosiers are playing.

Last Friday evening, post dinner downtown with Mark, I settled in front of a lit fireplace to watch my Hoosiers fall (by a loss of one point) to the University of Connecticut Huskies.  That's okay, though.  You see, the Huskies (a ranked team) were heavily favored to win.  Us Hoosiers weren't.  We almost did, however.  Yup, my brave Hoosiers fought hard and valiantly and gave those Huskies a super-hard time--the entire game.  This loss was actually a win of sorts...

The older I get, I realize the same can hold true in life.  Yup, the dreaded confrontation is what shows me I have the strength and courage to emerge feeling empowered.  Someone's disapproval of me turns into my opportunity to embrace the fact that I don't need others' approval to celebrate myself.  The not-so-great outcome teaches me how to attain better ones the next go round. Etc., etc., etc...

Velvet Jacket: Norton McNaughton Petites (vintage)

Sweater: Zara

Maxi Skirt: B Moss (over 10 years old!)

Handbag: Milly

Boots: Nine West

Sunnies: Nine West via TJ Maxx

Infinity Scarf: Handmade via an Etsy vendor

Belt: No brand

Ever get the feeling a loss can become a win? Share the inspiration with me!

Joy, peace and hugs, T.

Blue, the Color--to Brighten the Mood...

I had the good fortune of meeting up with a friend at a meeting the other day.  Both of us incredibly busy, we hadn't seen each other in months.  Afterwards, we took a few moments to catch up--chit chat a bit...

That day, I had accented my wardrobe with splashes of a yellow gold (as seen in this past post), and she complimented my choice of color.  I shared the fact that I'd only recently discovered this fab hue.  She offered me an insightful thought on her own use of color...

She told me when she wakes up in the morning, she'll bring her thoughts to what color might bring her joy that day.  Then, not only will she try and incorporate that into what she's wearing; she'll make an effort to actually notice that hue--every time she sees it during her day.  What a wonderful exercise in mindfulness that is!

Blue's a great color. Although, I think it often gets a "bad rap."  Many times, when "blue" is mentioned, it's sadness that comes to mind.  Not me; I adore the color blue--especially cobalt blue!  Truly, the sight of it makes me smile.

This sweet friend and I scheduled a lunch get-together in the near future.  I'm truly looking forward with some mindful time with this wonderfully-enlightened soul!

Scarf: Target (bought this one almost 20 years ago!)

Jean Shirt: Piace Boutique in Bloomington, IN

Skirt: Banana Republic (thrifted--with original price tag still on it!)

Belt: Coach (consigned via Mosaic Consignment Studio)

Tights: Apt. 9 via Kohl's

Booties: Nine West

Sunnies: Vera Bradley

Statement Necklace: Purchased from talented artist friend

Do you use color to enhance mindfulness, and/or brighten up your day?  I'd love hearing about it!

Joy and peace, T.

Elegance is Refusal to...

Coco Chanel once said, "Elegance is refusal."  I say, "Elegance is refusal to:

• tread lightly
• require others' acceptance
• discount my intuitive gifts
• douse my light
• give up
• doubt myself

• conform
• explain
• please
• settle
• blend in
• live quietly 

• apologize for being myself
• sit it out
• quit
• stop dreaming
• hold my tongue
• put myself last."

Poet's Blouse: Chico's

Dress (worn as a jumper): Michael Kors (vintage via Etsy)

Silk Scarf: Vintage (purchased in an antique shop in Tipp City, OH)

Tights: Apt. 9 via Kohl's

Boots: Nine West

Sunnies: Betsey Johnson via TJ Maxx

Earrings: Vintage Monet
Handbag: Fossil

What rights of refusal bring you elegance?  Would love to hear about it!

Joy and peace, T.

Self-Expressive Style: Comfy-Cozy Leopard Print

Don't get me wrong... I adore wearing my leopard print dress.  However, when it's 25 degrees outdoors, I most enjoy getting my leopard print fix on via the vest featured throughout this post (or the coat worn in this past post). That's not to say I wouldn't consider sporting my leopard print dress (paired with a lace jacket) to a holiday party--or my feline-inspired silk blouse into the office this season.  It's just nice to be comfy-cozy when that's how I'd like to feel!

 Sunnies: Target

Infinity Scarf: Handmade (purchased from a talented blogger)

Jeans: Aeropostle

Gloves: Coach (vintage via Etsy)

Sweater: J Crew 

Boots: Mountain Lake

Handbag: Milly

Leopard print is always comfy, and certainly in season all throughout the year!  Some forms of it, however, are just a bit cozier this time of year, yes?  Again, this Monday, I've linked up on the Two Birds' blog--this time, in celebration of all things leopard. Come over and check out the fun!

Joy and peace, T.

Self-fulfilling Sunnies and Thoughts...

Please take note of the sunnies I'm sporting.  They didn't cost me much.  In fact, I bought them at a dollar store over a year ago.  Nevertheless, I like them-- a lot...

About four weeks ago, I noticed they were missing.  In a state of disbelief, I searched high and low; finally deciding I'd lost them--which is unusual for me (You see, I rarely misplace anything.  I still have two Cross pens gifted to me nearly 20 years ago, and use them almost daily!).

Unfortunately, I found myself musing about this lost pair of sunnies a few days later... Told myself this proves why I should never invest in a pricier pair o' shades...

Then, last Saturday, I pulled one of my Vera Bradley handbags from the closet to sport to my standing breakfast date with Mark.  There, tucked in an outside pocket of the handbag, were the missing (dollar store) sunnies.  Safe and sound--I might add...

Two things here: 1) I realized I'd been a little tough on myself (these were a pair of sunnies that cost me a dollar after all!); AND 2) I also understood that thoughts like "I don't need to buy expensive sunnies as I'll lose only lose them" don't serve me well (and are, quite simply, untrue, to boot!).

Sunnies: The Dollar Tree

Silk Blouse: Charter Club (thrifted)

Belt: Land's End (thrifted)

Statement Necklace: Area antique shop

LBD: I.N.C. via Dillard's

Tights: Simply Vera Wang via Kohl's

Boots: Nine West

Ever find you're thinking thoughts that are: 1) untrue; AND 2) not self-serving?  Please share--would love to hear your insights on this!

Joy, peace and hugs!  T.

Feeling Thankful...

Left to Right: My son Andrew, daughter-in-law Amanda,

hubs Mark and me...

A few weeks ago, Mark and I headed to Michigan for a Saturday meet-up with our son Andrew and daughter-in-law Amanda.  We enjoyed a history-laden visit at Greenfield Village, and I am thankful for every minute of it: the beautiful day, the fun we all had, the memories we created--but most of all--just spending quality time with those I love.  

A week from today, I'll savor time with my entire family as our youngest son will fly in from graduate school to join us for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Rich in anticipation, I am oh so thankful for that, too!   Below, are a few pics from our recent special day...

Share the spirit of gratitude!  Tell me what you are thankful for today!

Hugs, joy and gratitude, T.

Fun Creative Style: Double Wrap

I absolutely enjoy creative play!  Whether I'm painting, writing, collaging or pairing items to wear the next day--having fun with personal expression is one of life's simple (yet, most precious) joys.

Last week, I decided to pair two wraps: a wrap dress with a faux wrap top. The end result: my wrap dress served as both a skirt and a blouse when coupled with my faux wrap top. It was a fab way to get my creative fun on!

 Wrap Dress: No Brand (vintage via Etsy)

Faux Wrap Top: Michael Kors (consigned)

Bangle: Thrifted (Vintage Vogue in Bloomington, IN)

Handbag: Fossil

Boots: Nine West

Belt: J Crew

Goldtone Bracelet: Fossil

Men's Diamond Watch: Elgin (yard sale score)

Pearls: Antique shop in Tipp City, OH

Sunnies: Nine West

Share with me your thoughts on creative play.  I would adore hearing them!

Joy and hugs, T.

A Blogger's "Double Life"...

 

Are there any other bloggers out there, who feel like you're leading a (quasi) "double life?" I often do. It's not that I've hidden from those around me what I'm doing on the blog... I'm actually quite proud of it.

It's just that most folks, locally, know me in my professional capacity, and not as much (or at all) in my creative, blogger role. Hmmm... Perhaps, this is something I should ponder further via my journal...

These pics were taken last Saturday morning, downtown; following my standing breakfast date with Mark.  A funny thing happened toward the end of our photo shoot...

An older, retired gentleman (very prominent, locally), who knows Mark and me; observed my posing for these shots and playfully yelled out, "Hey, Hollywood!"  I laughed and told Mark, "Guess I'll have to explain this one.  And, it also looks like I've got a new nickname."

  Khaki Chinos: American Eagle

T-shirt: Petit Bateau (best t-shirt brand ever!!!)

Sweater: Banana Republic (son or (more likely) his former girlfriend's discard)

Belt: Target

Sunnies: Target

Sneaks: Converse

Men's Watch: Pulsar

Statement Necklace: Antique shop in Tipp City, OH

These last two pics are of me reacting to being called "Hollywood," while simultaneously feeling "so busted." How many other bloggers out there are leading this same "double life?" I'd love to hear about it!

Joy and peace, T.