Style : Dinner in Indiana...

Hello, Friends!  I bet you wondered if I was ever coming back (LOL!).  My journey to Indiana was so very wonderful. While there we enjoyed the company of dear family and friends.  We also explored and reveled in the delight of experiencing many lovely places--which I'll feature in the next several blog posts.

These pics were taken on one of the back patios of the gorgeous Indiana University Memorial Union/Biddle Hotel; where we stayed for a few nights during our recent getaway. Mark and I both earned our undergraduate degrees from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana; so this place holds a special place in our hearts.  In B-town (as it's affectionately known), we enjoyed scads of fabulous shopping, dining and lots of walking while at a great place we always love to visit.

In northwest Ohio (where we reside), it's been a cool and often-rainy summer.  Wow, what a change of pace we encountered in very hot and humid Indiana!  I was prepared, though; packing lots of light, airy and sleeveless pieces (hats, too).

 Hat: Kohl's (older)

Dress: Purchased at a local boutique (older)

Shoes: Zara

Handbag: Coach

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Bracelet: Vintage

Watch: Pulsar (gifted)

See you on Thursday! Joy & peace, T.

This post will be linked (on Tuesday) to Style Sessions, Garay Treasures and Confident Twosday.  On Wednesday, I'll link to The Pleated Poppy, Color and Grace Fashion Link Up and Whatcha Wearing Wednesday. 

My Therapeutic Recharge...

 

A few weeks back, I extended my Independence Day holiday a bit by using vacation leave (from work) on the Thursday before and Monday after.  I can't tell you how beneficial this was--to simply take a few days to rest, relax and recharge.

On my days off from work, I read, walked (and ran) outdoors, flower gardened, and spent time envisioning future home renovations/redecorating.  This week, Mark and I are headed off for short, but exciting, out-of-state getaway.

As a result, you won't hear from me for a few days (smile). But, please know this time will spur added recharge of this woman's spirit! So, I'll be back later next week with plenty of pics...

Fedora: Old Navy

Shirt Dress: Ralph Lauren (consigned)

Jean Jacket: Piace Boutique (Bloomington, IN)

Sunnies: Ray Ban

Canvas Boat Shoes: Sperry

Lips: Estee Lauder Black Cherry

Nails: Essie Midnight Cami

Watch: Kate Spade (gifted)

Bracelet: Vintage Tiffany (Etsy)
Handbag: Michael Kors

My Thursday and Monday downtime (of a few weeks ago) resulted in the "on-the-spot" creation of several lovely bird baths in my flower gardens with clay pots that had been gathering dust in our home's garage.  Yes, that's one of them featured below.  You see, there's nothing like a little break from the norm to get one's creativity flowing.

Joy & hugs, T.

This post will be linked (on Tuesday) to Style Sessions, Garay Treasures and Confident Twosday.  On Wednesday, I'll link to The Pleated Poppy and Whatcha Wearing Wednesday. 

Shopping Review: Brandzaffair

I must admit; I love shopping as much as anyone else...  That's why I'm excited to feature my collaboration with Brandzaffair. Brandzaffair is a shopping platform that's known as "The Ultimate Online Shopping Experience."  Their mission is "to provide a fresh alternative, changing the way people shop online by surrounding them with their favorite brands, or those likely to become their favorite brands, and the best deals that can be had on these favorite brands at any given time."

My selected courtesy item, when shopping the Brandzaffair website, was this lovely Ann Taylor blouse.  It is a classic I see myself sporting for years to come (much like my treasured pink bandana!).  

Brandzaffair's array of brand options (from which to shop) is quite large (It includes Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, Donna Karan New York, Michael Kors and many others!). Also fabulous is that when you pull up a favorite brand, you'll see a listing of their newest deals (Yay for deeply-discounted prices!!!).

What I absolutely adore is their philanthropic focus.  Brandzaffair donates 2.5% of their net profits from each purchase to a charity (listed on their website) selected by the customer.

I'd recommend Brandzaffair. It's a shopping platform, I'll happily continue to use!

 Blouse: Ann Taylor c/o Brandzaffair

 Black Skinny Jeans: L.L. Bean Signature

Bandana: Purchased years ago...

Shoes: BCBGenerations

Handbag: Rebecca Minkoff

Lips: Estee Lauder Starlit Pink

Nails: Essie Master Plan

Sunnies: Ray Ban

 

Joy & grace, T.

Disclosure: Products were provided via Brandzaffair.com. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not indicative of the opinions or positions of Brandzaffair.

Style: Day to Eve (Eve)

This post is the second half of a two-part feature.  To see what I sported on the morning these pics were taken, click here.

Friday evenings, we generally head to our favorite restaurant for dinner.  It's a gastropub with great food and a rustic ambiance that I adore.

The temps only rose to the mid-70's that day; so, I sported the same sweater worn to breakfast out and around-town errands that day.  These cut offs (paired with my sweater) provided the perfect blend of summertime on a very moderate July night.  I also swapped out my sunnies, scarf, shoes, handbag and arm candy for the evening's dinner date.  The morning's nude-ish lipstick was replaced with a warmer shade for a spot of glamour, and the addition of this straw hat served as a festive topper for kicking off a holiday weekend.

Hat: Scala Studio (consigned; very similar here)

Sweater: Zara

Shorts: Chico's (cut offs)

Shoes: Franco Sarto (another adorable option)

Sunnies: c/o Firmoo

Handbag: Vera Bradley

Wooden Bangle: Vintage

Watch: Kate Spade (gifted)

Lips: Lancome Ambrette

Nails: Butter London Keen

Silk Scarf: Purchased at a boutique in southern Ohio

Joy + grace, T.

This post will be linked (on Tuesday) to Style Sessions, Garay Treasures and Confident Twosday.  On Wednesday, I'll link to The Pleated Poppy and Whatcha Wearing Wednesday. 

Style: Day to Eve (Day)

It's been a while since I've published a "day to eve" post.  Thought I'd break this one into two segments; beginning with what I wore to breakfast downtown last Friday morning...

We've had unseasonably cool weather for July.  The morning these pics were taken, it was about 60 degrees (fahrenheit).

Mark and I both had the day off from work. Aside from breakfast out, we had a variety of errands to run, locally. Plus, we had dinner out at our fave restaurant planned for later. I'll feature my dinner out (evening) attire in the next post.  My evening outfit "switch up" was a transition that allowed for the day's slight rise in temperature; plus, added a fun festive feel to the kickoff of a holiday weekend.

 Sweater: Zara (super-affordable striped sweater option)

Scarf: Charlotte Russe (another lovely option)
Jeans: Loft

Sunnies: Vera Bradley

Shoes: Ralph Lauren

Handbag: Juicy Couture

Watch: Michael Kors (gifted)

Bracelet: c/o Tidebuy
Nails: Butter London Keen
Lips: Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Make Your Move

Joy & peace, T.