Tuesday, September 30, 2014

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 SessionsCoco et La vie en Rose
and Confident Twosday. On Wednesday, linking to: What I Wore: The Pleated Poppy.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

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.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

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 

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

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.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

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.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

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 

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

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.