Ralph Lauren Denim

thrifted:
denim top $5.49 Ralph Lauren
tee $1 ana
beige jeans $3.99 Style & Co. 
purse $8 Nine West
sandals $?

Ralph Lauren Denim

thrifted:
denim button up top $5.29 Ralph Lauren
golden yellow striped tee $3.50 Merona
beige jeans $3.99 Style & Co.
purse $8 Nine West
sandals $2.44 Trotters 
~~~
scarf $1.99 via ebay
 

Casual Classic OOTD

thrifted:
jeans $5.59 Calvin Klein
sleeveless navy top $1.50 Uniform-John Paul Richard
cardigan $5.99 Land's End
scarf $2.10
purse $4.90 Monet
shoes $4 Ralph Lauren
~~~
necklace/earring set $6.99 via ebay

Add Color With A Cardigan

Many times I will opt for a totally neutral and sometimes monochromatic look.  But other times I like to add just a bit of color to a neutral outfit by using scarves, a draped cardigan (like here) or even a pretty shade of lipstick.

cardigan $5 Land's End
white tee $? Ralph Lauren
gray jeans $5.60 Metro Blues
silver claw cuff bracelet $2.29
silver hoop earrings $2.80
purse $7.99
loafers $4.99 Honors
~~~
silver circle necklace w/rhinestones $1.87 via ebay

99 cent Nautical Navy Tee With Gold Details

navy tee $.99 cents Christine Alexander
white jeans $6.39 Miracle Body
gold belt $2.40 Ralph Lauren
purse $2.79
gold flip flops $?

OOTD: My Ideal Style Direction

 Everything about this outfit perfectly illustrates my ideal style direction and types of pieces I would like my wardrobe to become composed of.

First of all, the neutral colors are classic.  The striped tee and black jeans are classic...yet casual.  The scarf adds a touch of sophistication to the casual ensemble.  The cognac brown color with black is a favorite.  The shoes are really comfortable and a very low wedge heel.  (I'm slowly getting rid of anything but the lowest heels because they just don't feel like "me" any more.)

And lastly, I felt this outfit was flattering to my figure.  Not all of my clothing is an attractive fit or look for me.
Overall, this outfit just makes me happy when I wear it.
 
That's where the difficulty comes in.
Distinguishing between "liking" certain pieces and "realizing" that they are not the best choice for me or that I'm not super happy with how something looks on me....and then coming to the point of being able to let them go in order to achieve my personal style goals.
For me, it's easier said than done.

It's an ongoing process and a slow one because sometimes I feel like maybe I should give a piece another try by reworking it into a another combination of garments or adding a different accessory to see if I obtain a better result.  Little by little, as the mood strikes me, I'll reach into my closet and grab something and think "Today is the day for this to go" and plop it into the donation bag.  I never really regret my decision.  I am actually happier with other clothes I have.  So why oh why is this process so difficult for me?

I wish I could just take a day and do a full on clean out...removing everything from my closets and drawers and only choosing a select amount of items that I absolutely love and feel good in (like the outfit today) to put back into my closet.  That would get rid of all the excess that doesn't achieve the style or happiness level I'm looking for and I know I'd feel soooo much better.
The problem is that I have culled quite a bit, but still have LOTS left...and I like everything I have.  It is difficult to let go of my "likes" and settle only for the "loves" group.  Sometimes I'm not even sure of the distinction so I have to ponder it for quite some time.

I think I'm just wanting someone to wave a magic wand and do it for me so that I don't have to go through the painful process and decision making. haha 

These shoes are one of my favorite summer thrift purchases.  I've worn them so many times already.  They are my new go to shoe.

p.s.  I love this top so much...and guess what?!  I have just found another one exactly like it, but with long sleeves for only $3.99.  Yay!!  I hadn't noticed, till I got the one in photos home, but someone had actually cut off the sleeves to change this top from long sleeves to short sleeves.  I love the length of the sleeve and you can't even really tell they've just been cut off with a scissors.  I could even roll them up if I wanted a shorter look.
So now I have a short sleeved and long sleeved version of my new favorite tee! :)
thrifted:
black skinny jeans $7.67 Celebrity Pink
striped tee $? Merona
scarf .69 cents
black gold hoop earrings .69 cents
belt $2.49 Ralph Lauren
purse $3 Kelly & Katie
sandals $? Aerosoles


At times I have failed to record prices of things I've thrifted so I'm occasionally blank on the cost of some items....but you know it was probably a super sweet deal.  ;)  

Link Up:  Visible Monday
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Getting My Gold On

 I wore these black shorts and cardigan about 3 weeks ago here, but this time I wore a shimmery gold top, gold belt, gold chain necklace and black loafers with gold chain detail.

shorts $2.09 Mossimo
gold tank top $?
gold belt $2.40 Ralph Lauren
purse $4.19
loafers $4.19
~~~
cardigan $9.99 JKLA California via Ross
gold bracelet $8.80 via Forever 21
gold chain double tiered necklace $3.26 via ebay

OOTD:Touches of Gold With A Soft Cream And White Striped Jacket

My purse is new and I'm crazy about it! The belt, loafers and purse all have the exact same gold coloring, but each was purchased at different times and just happened to randomly come together to help perfectly compose this creamy gold wonder. :)

pants $6.99 Karen Kane
striped jacket top $4.80 R&M Richards by Karen Kwong
dressy tee $3.40 Dress Barn
gold belt $2.40 Ralph Lauren
gold loafers $6.99 Sandra Miller
purse $2.79
~~~
necklace $4.49 via Fred Meyer

Bring Out The Blue

cardigan $5.59 Bobeau
tan sleevless top $1.29 Dress Barn
pants $4.20 Jigsaw
scarf ?
loafers $4 Ralph Lauren
~ ~ ~
gold circle necklace $1.26 via ebay

Chambray Button Down Wardrobe Essential

 I love this thrifted chambray button down blouse from Banana Republic.  It can be worn on it's own, as a topper, and with the shirt tail tied up (as you'll see in my next post).

These slip on denim fabric sandals are so comfy and I like the pattern.

Everything I'm wearing I've had for a while, except the jeans are new.  I've gained 15 lbs and had to have new pants.  Hubby and I have started the South Beach Diet as of yesterday, so I'm working toward losing what I've put on over the last several months.  I'll feel much better if I can get back down into my smaller sized clothes. 

jeans $14.99 Ralph Lauren (I found online that they sold for around $100 retail!)
chambray button down top $7 Banana Republic
tank top ?
necklace .25 cents
shoes $5.99 Montego Bay Club

OOTD: Casual Chic In Chico's Cardigan and Ralph Lauren Loafers

This outfit is relaxed in style, but still maintains a bit of casual chic by double layering an off white and a light peach scarf with fringes over a neutral base which includes a favorite Chico's cardigan.

 Adding rich accessories with the caramel toned purse and loafers along with multiple bracelets also helps to create a more put together look with a laid back feel.

Another of my favorite thrift finds was this pair of Ralph Lauren flat loafers I picked up for $4 back in 2012.  I love their creamy caramel color, the little bows, and the fact that they are soooo comfortable.

white jeans $8.50 Gloria Vanderbilt
light tan tee $2 St. John's Bay
cardigan $7 Chico's
off white scarf $2
light peach scarf ?
purse $5.99 Liz Claiborne
loafers $4 Ralph Lauren

New Gray and Silver

I'm wearing a new light weight sweater and new necklace.  I really like both pieces.  This style of sweater will work well on it's own most of the year and also layered under a cardigan in the colder months.

I took my navy Ralph Lauren jacket to the grocery store because it's always cool there.

Navy Skinnies $3.50 Lauren Conrad
Gray V-Neck Sweater $3.75 Mossimo
Blue Gray Bangle $2.38
Navy Purse $7.38 Liz Claiborne
Navy Sandals $6.80 east 5th
Navy Jacket $1.29 Ralph Lauren
~ ~ ~
necklace $3.87 ebay

Red Plaid + Brown Sweater

I think this is another outfit that could just be an everyday "uniform" for me.

 Ankle Pants $4 Talbots (Value Village)

*Red Plaid Button Down Shirt $5.25 Ralph Lauren (Value Village) *similar here

Brown Sweater $4 St. John's Bay new w/tags $30 (Value Village)

Gold Chain Necklace $4.99 (Value Village)

Purse $13 Nine West (Goodwill)

Loafers $4 Enzo Angiolini (Value Village)

~ ~ ~

Necklace w/flower = ebay (I think it was around $2.50)      

Color Mixing Daredevil

Not so long ago I would have never dreamed of pairing this shade of brown with gray and burgundy....but here I am doing it!...and liking it.  I feel so adventurous...like I'm involved and participating in the "extreme sport" of fashion.  It just sort of makes me giggle with glee at how WILD I've become. hehe

Thrifted Items:

Gray Jeans $4.99 Gloria Vanderbilt (Goodwill)

Turtleneck $3.74 Old Navy (Value Village)

Cardigan $5 J.J.Basics (Value Village)

Necklaces

Scarf

Purse $5.99 Liz Claiborne

Flats w/Bows $4 Ralph Lauren (Value Village)