My Tips for Styling Argyle....

I adore argyle! It's so classic and chic.

My fave way to style argyle is to pair it with a check or houndstooth print (as I've done here with a houndstooth blouse). I've also got a luscious gray argyle print sweater that I love to don with a navy and white checked skirt.

Of course, stripes or a plaid--in coordinating colors--would also work well with an argyle sweater. I'm vowing to play with these options, too.  Perhaps, I'll feature some of my stylings on future posts...

Cashmere Cardigan: Gifted (Thank you, Andrew + Amanda!)

Blouse: Nine & Co. (thrifted)

Leather Skirt: Thrifted (Vintage Vogue, Bloomington, IN)

Boots: Nine West

Sunnies: Betsey Johnson

Glass Beads: Vintage (antique shop purchase)

Briefcase: Franklin Covey

Tights: Steve Madden

Do you love argyle, too?  How do you enjoy styling it?  Please share!

Joy and hugs, T.

This post will be linked (on Tuesday) to Style Sessions, Coco et La vie en Rose
and Confident Twosday. On Wednesday, linking to: What I Wore: The Pleated Poppy.

Random Joys...

Little things often bring me random joy... like an achy back feeling better now, lunch with a sweet friend last Friday, grabbing a seasonal brew (downtown) with Mark on Saturday evening...

Other things that are bliss inducing include cuddling with my adopted shelter cat (Tabitha), getting an unexpected $10 gift card in the mail from Kohl's (Hello, new pair of tights and a bottle of nail polish!), finding a matching button to the vintage silk blouse I'm sporting in these pics (Discovered I had lost one after I put it one on!)...

More recent joy came from locating the perfect birthday card for my hubby (Happy birthday, my treasured Soulmate! xx), the promise of attending an evening yoga class this week, the sight of beautiful fall foliage (emerging everywhere!)...

Cardishawl: TranquiliT

Silk Blouse: Vintage Lord and Taylor (Etsy)

Black Jeans: L.L. Bean Signature

Booties: Nine West

Cat-print Scarf: Local Boutique (Calico, Sage & Thyme)

Watch: Michael Kors

Sunnies: Dollar Tree

Handbag: Vintage Dooney & Bourke (antique shop in Kentucky)

Share with me those things that have recently brought you random joy.  Would love hearing about them!

Joy & peace! T.

BTW, I'm linking this post to Not Dead Yet Style on Sunday and the Two Birds' Inspiration Monday on Monday.

Skirt Joy and Planet Love...

Like my skirt?  I absolutely adore it, and for more reasons that one might imagine...

You see, I purchased this Amanda & Chelsea skirt from an awesome consignment store in Cambridge, Massachusetts (The Garment District) last month while on vacation.  My little lovely still had all the original taggings on her; including the manufacturer's $98 price tag...

I, however, paid less than $20 for her.  She's a real find, too--leopard print, lined, pristine and made of this thick woven fabric that feels (and looks) oh so very rich.

Of course, I'm thrilled to have found such a fab bargain.  But, lover of this planet that I am, my pleasure also comes from a purchase that kept an unwanted garment from being discarded (hence, from a landfill).

I adore finding "unwanted" treasures. Don't you?

 Chambray: Fossil

Skirt: Amanda & Chelsea (The Garment District, Cambridge, MA)

Tights: Simply Vera Wang

Boots: Nine West

Handbag: Marc Jacobs

Sunnies: Nine West

Glass Art Deco Mourning Beads: Vintage (antique shop purchase)

Stone Bracelet: Gift Shop in Nassau, Bahamas

Men's Diamond Watch: Elgin (yard sale find!)

Share with me your thoughts on skirt joy, planet love, "unwanted" treasures or whatever else you wish.  Would love to hear about it!

Joy & peace, T.

This post will be linked (Thursday) to:  Treasure Tromp  * Let Your Light Shine  * Spotlight Weekly *  Tres Chic Fashion Thursday * Over 50 Feeling 40 * Simply Just Lovely * The Life of the Party and on (Friday) to: Simple Sequins  * Style Elixir *Rachel the Hat * Favorite Fashion Friday 

Joy Tip: Engage in Childlike Fun

Is there anything more enjoyable than childlike play?  Confession time... I've got a couple of small bouncy balls I keep tucked away in my desk drawer at work.  From time to time, I'll take a few minutes to break from my duties to play away; relieving the day's cares--even if it's just a little bit.

Tonight, Mark and I are headed off to the Gish Film Theatre; located on the local college campus.  Many of the films shown there are artsy, vintage and/or critically acclaimed.  It's a fave place of ours.

This eve's film is Frankenweinie.  Another revelation... Kids' movie and all--I'm really looking forward to it!

You see, there's so much in real world life that demands seriousness, concentration, and even sacrifice.  Sometimes, I just need to play a bit--to enjoy life much as I did as a little girl.  It's another way I maintain balance in my world.

 Sunnies: Vera Bradley

Chambray Shirt: Piace Boutique (Bloomington, IN)

Skirt: Vintage Norma Kamali (Etsy)

Leather Belt: Thrifted

Shoes: Candies

Handbag: Kate Spade

Men's Watch: Pulsar (gifted)

Bracelet: Fossil

Necklace: Vintage (antique shop purchase)

So, tell me... How do you engage in childlike fun?  Truly, I'd love hearing about it!

Joy, grace and peace! T.

This post will be linked (on Tuesday) to Style Sessions  and Confident Twosday. On Wednesday, linking to: What I Wore: The Pleated Poppy.

Building Community...

  

How was your weekend?  Hope it was restful and fabulous. Mine sure was!

As planned, I attended that lovely yoga workshop on Saturday.  I also enjoyed a few dates out with Mark, reflected via my journal, and watched several great movies--while cozied up at home in the evenings.

After Saturday's yoga workshop, I went outdoors to commune with both nature and my beloved flower gardens.  There, I had an enjoyable visit with a neighbor, who is also a coworker,.  You see, building community, to me, includes time spent practicing yoga with like-minded spirits as well as connecting with a colleague (and neighbor) in my yard on a picture perfect fall day.

Monday, I'm meeting with a group of dear gal pals to enjoy lunch.  We are all members of the local Zonta Club; so, in addition to savoring time together, we're planning to talk about ways our club can establish stronger connections (through service) within our community. Seems it's a common theme for me--as of late (smile).

 

 Blazer: Peace of Cloth (best bargain, ever!)

T-shirt: Youngest Son's Discard

Jeans: J Crew

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff

Sunnies: Jennifer Lopez

Bracelet: Vintage (and consigned)

Boots: Nine West

Eiffel Tower Brooch: Vintage (Etsy)

Share with me thoughts about your weekend and community building. Would adore hearing them!

Joy, grace and peace. T.

BTW, I'm linking this post to Not Dead Yet Style on Sunday and the Two Birds' Inspiration Monday on Monday.

A Balanced Weekend...

Hey, All!  What's on your agenda this weekend?

Last weekend, we enjoyed sacred time with our son and daughter-in-law. They arrived Friday evening.  We were armed and ready for them with plenty of snacks and drinks--which we enjoyed amidst lots of conversation.

Saturday, post breakfast downtown, we all headed to the local stadium to watch the Indiana University versus Bowling Green State University football game. Even though my beloved Hoosiers lost in a last-second shot, we had a fabulous time!

This weekend, I'm deeply craving time laden with relaxation and reflection. I'm registered (this weekend) to attend a two-hour yoga workshop that promises participants their share of deep-cleansing breaths, detoxifying twists and Reiki.  Doesn't that sound awesome?

Afterwards, in celebration of the autumn equinox, I'm hoping to spend reflective time with my beloved journal. It's a ritual I've observed every year at this time for several years now.  Check out this past post for added details.

 Cardigan: BCBG

Blouse: Forever 21

Jeans: L.L. Bean Signature

Shoes: Converse

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Handbag: Vera Bradley

Necklace: Purchased from Talented Artist Friend

Watch: Michael Kors

Rose Gold Link Bracelet: Vintage via Etsy

Share with me ways you are tipping the scales of balance as the autumn equinox nears.  Would love hearing all about them!

Joy, grace and peace! T.

This post will be linked (Thursday) to:  Treasure Tromp  * Let Your Light Shine  * Spotlight Weekly *  Tres Chic Fashion Thursday * Over 50 Feeling 40 * Simply Just Lovely * The Life of the Party and on (Friday) to: Simple Sequins  * Style Elixir *Rachel the Hat * Favorite Fashion Friday 

Risks in Style and Life...

Confession time... For the better part of my life, I've never been a huge risk taker.  Yup, I'm a pretty much a "sure thing" and "walk the straight and narrow" kinda gal.

Might sound funny, but (for a while, now) I've been wanting to sport booties with a skirt or dress--sans tights.  Problem was... I wasn't sure I could pull it off...

Long story straight... I decided to take a risk, and go for it, anyway.  Actually, I'm glad I did.  Felt good to give it a go, and I honestly think it worked out just fine.

Yes, this risk was one merely involving style. Yet, I know that it's the baby steps taken in this life that allow for ascension to next level.

You see, I believe that every fashion risk taken serves as a quasi "training ground" for future gutsy moves on a much larger scale.  What do you think?

 Shirt: American Eagle

Skirt: ModCloth

Belt: Banana Republic

Sunnies: Firmoo

Leather Backpack: IllBeCa/Joy Gryson via Antropologie

Enamel Necklace: Vintage via Etsy

Bangles: Chico's

Men's Diamond Watch: Elgin (yard sale)

Booties: Nine West

Share with me your thoughts on risk taking in style and life.  Would enjoy hearing them!

Joy and peace, T.

This post will be linked (on Tuesday) to Style Sessions  and Confident Twosday. On Wednesday, linking to: What I Wore: The Pleated Poppy.