Using Style Icons to Inspire Oneself...

There are many style icons who inspire me... One is Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  Her grace and elegance are timeless.

Twinsets, large-framed sunnies and scarves are definitely pieces I envision her wearing. And... Yes, of course, I think of her donning these clothing items--as well as a classic sheath dress, a chic car coat and an amazing pillbox hat!

The chevron print skirt might be a stretch, but I think it's classic enough to be JKO worthy, too.  What do you think?

Inspiration is good; not only in fashion, but in every aspect of life.  Viewing a lovely piece of art can inspire me to redecorate a room in my home.  An inspiring read can move me to make positive changes in my life.  Witnessing a courageous person's measures can spur me to take empowered action, myself.

Twinset: Liz Claiborne (older)

Skirt: Thrifted

Scarf: Local Boutique Purchase (Calico, Sage & Thyme)

Sunnies: Firmoo

Boots: Nine West

Rose Gold Link Bracelet: Vintage via Etsy

Ceramic/Rose Gold Watch: Anne Klein

Stone Bracelet: Gift shop in Nassau

Who's a style icon you admire?  Aside from style, how else does inspiration enhance your life?

Joy, peace and hugs, T.

Why Taking the "High Road" isn't Always the Best Route...

For years now, I've often taken the "high road" in the face of adversity.  Decided to let troubling issues "roll off my back" versus addressing them directly with those involved.  It's something I believe many women do; thinking it's the most gracious route to take...

Last Thursday, I attended a local women's leadership conference (which was phenomenal, BTW).  One of the messages I carried back (for myself) was this: The "high road" (a.k.a. avoiding a direct discussion about what troubles us) isn't necessarily the best route.  Open, non-emotional, honest communication, however, is.

Hmmm... There's a professional issue I'm dealing with, currently.  It's one I've encountered before.  The last time I did, I decided to take the "high road" and let the matter go unaddressed.  How'd that work for me? It didn't.  The issue smoldered--continued to "eat" at me.  So, this time, I'm gonna talk it out with those involved--make my concerns known.  Perhaps, that is the real "high road." What do you think?

 Leather Jacket: No brand (and older)

Dress: Vintage via Etsy

Tights: Simply Vera Wang

Scarf: Albert Napon (consigned)

Boots: Nine West

Handbag: Fossil

Sunnies: Nine West

Men's Watch: Pulsar (gifted)

May your day be a bright one, and the route you take the one that supports you best!  Joy and peace, T.

BTW, I'm linking this post on Monday to the Two Birds' blog--check it out!  :)

Embracing "Should Be" No More...

These pics were taken last Saturday morning; post my standing breakfast date, downtown, with Mark.  The skies were gray.  There loomed a threat of wintry mix (rain, mixed with ice and snow).  And (it likely goes without saying), it was incredibly cold outside.

In theory... I should be wearing a coat.  I should be wearing boots (or, at the very least, tights or socks with these shoes). I should be wearing sunnies with darker frames (versus these summery-looking white ones).  I should be--blah, blah, blah...

Happily, I'm not embracing "should be's" nearly as often as I once did.  You see, the older I get, the more clearly I realize that there are truly few "should's" in life.

 Blouse: Forever 21

Sweater: Zara

Belt: Chaps

Jeans: Chico's 

Shoes: Target

Sunnies: Dollar Tree

Statement Necklace: Purchased from talented artist friend

Handbag: Vera Bradley

"Should be" no more.  I got this.  How 'bout you?

Joy & peace, T.

Journaling to a Place of Non-Judgment...

I'm on a quest... One where--when situations arise--I can observe them as unaffectedly as possible--without judgment.

The beauty of being in a place of non-judgment is it's the pinnacle of living a mindful life.  Imagine experiencing without judgment...

Non-judgment lends itself to objective responses--versus emotional responses.  Non-judgment is the place where one's own acceptance of her or himself is the prize (rather than having others' acceptance).  Non-judgment is where one is more compassionate to themselves--and others, too. You see, non-judgment is my idea of safe and sound...

And, sure--I deserve to have my feelings about what someone said or did or whatever the issue might be...  Yet, letting things first be viewed as objectively as possible allows me to get a better handle on what is causing those feelings.  That is the beauty of non-judment, yes?

As of late, I've been using my journal to explore and cultivate more non-judgment in my own life.  It's been a practice where I'm slowly gaining more insight (and ability) each and every day.

Silk Blouse: Banana Republic (thrifted)

Jeans: DKNY

Boots: Nine West

Handbag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

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

Wooden Bangle: Thrifted (Vintage Vogue in Bloomington, IN)

Statement Necklace: Monet (purchased at area antique shop)

Cape: Handmade and Vintage (Etsy)

Sunnies: Firmoo

Non-judgment means not blaming oneself, either.  And...this includes those times when one holds her handbag backwards during photo shoots (smile).

Joy and peace,  T.

How to Rebel, Stylishly...

In the last few years, I've allowed myself to rebel a bit...  That's right; I'm rebelling against those things that set me back--don't allow me to shine my light brightly--prevent me from playing big (versus small).

Here' a sprinkling of what I'm rebelling against:

• apologizing unnecessarily (e.g. No longer do I state, "Sorry for the length of this email."  I either write a shorter email or say what I want to say--without apologizing.)
• the need to please
• worry that others may think I'm not "nice"
• feelings of having to "prove" myself
• hiding my light
• holding my tongue (My opinions count as much as anyone else's!)
• doing what society expects (Being a 50-plus-year old woman doesn't keep me from doing anything!).

As in life, so be it in fashion as well... Zebra print pants and black leather hightop sneakers at my age?  Yup, I'm rebelling a bit--stylishly, too (smile).

Leather Jacket: Vintage Spiegel

Sweater: Zara

Pants: Chaps

Handbag: Juicy Couture

Gloves: Vintage Coach

Sunnies: Vera Bradley

Enamel Pendant: Vintage via Etsy

Share with me your thoughts on rebelling stylishly... I would love hearing them! 

Joy and peace, T.

The Grace of Easing Oneself into Things...

Confession time... I haven't attended yoga class for roughly the past ten months.

Got "too busy," and just didn't make time to go back... Yeah, I know... That's not to say I haven't practiced yoga, however.  I've engaged in a few routines and poses (at home) almost weekly.

Last Wednesday night, on the eve of the spring vernal equinox, I returned to yoga class--to a session entitled "relaxation yoga."  Ommmm....  What a perfect way it was to ease myself back into the swing of things--and to welcome this long-awaited new season!

Think I'll continue on with added relaxation classes for a bit--before I head back into something more lively and challenging.  There's a simple grace to a strategy like this.  Don't you think? I've signed myself up for a class this Saturday afternoon entitled, "Spring Equinox Yoga + Relaxation." Ommm...

Silk Blouse: Lord & Taylor (vintage via Etsy)

Lace Top: Vintage (via Etsy)
Leather Pencil Skirt: Thrifted (Vintage Vogue in Bloomington, IN)

Leather Bomber Jacket: J Crew

Tights: No brand

Booties: Nine West

Glass Beads: Vintage (bought at an antique store)

Sunnies: Dollar Tree

So, tell me... How are you easing yourself into the swing of this lovely new season?

Joy & peace, T.

Let Internal Guidance Reign!

In the past few years, life's flow has started to make so much more sense to me; largely because I've come to trust my own internal guidance.  What I've found (most especially in the working world) is that my internal guidance is like my own personal guardian.  She knows what's best, and always tells me so.

Those folks who turn out to be deceptive... Well, nine times out of ten, I'll smile and tell myself, "Yeah, I had a feeling..." In the times I know I need to take action or react; I do, and have never regretted it. Instances when things don't seem to "add up," are the points when I dig deeper...

This strategy benefits me in my personal life, too.  Case in point, I've been doing a bit of "research" on the observation of the moon's cycles.  Last weekend, there was a full moon.  At first, I thought that meant was a time for more increased activity.  I was tired, though.

Lots of activity (physical and otherwise) simply didn't feel right.  As a result I rested.  Turns out, the full moon offers the best chance for reflection and restfulness (rather than action). Looks like my inner wisdom already knew that--as that's what I chose to do (smile).

Blouse: Lucky Brand

Vest: Ralph Lauren

Jeans: Calvin Klein

Handbag: Juicy Couture

Boots: Mountain Lake (old)

Brooch: Vintage (and consigned)

Sunnies: Vera Bradley

Ceramic + Rose Gold Watch: Anne Klein

Rose Gold Link Bracelet: Vintage via Etsy

Bakelite Bangle: Vintage (bought at an antique shop)

Joy, peace and may your internal guidance reign supreme! T.

BTW, I'm linking (Monday) to the Two Birds' Inspiration Monday blog post.