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
              Fresh Fashion Forum
 

Cardigans are the New Black

Well, the title is just to say that my obsession this late summer is oversized cardigans.  I've purchased several in somewhat varying styles (in colors of olive/camel/taupe/tan/gray) recently, although this is one I had from last year.  Another thing I've acquired is a sleeveless oversized sweater and a sleeveless cardigan that I'll wear with another layer underneath.  I am gearing up for the fall/winter season, but  I can wear lighter weight cardigans like this one pretty much all year round.  This cardigan has sleeves that can be rolled up and buttoned or let down for cooler days.

This outfit fits into my idea of a casual California Chic style that I love.

Linking up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday.  Come join the fun! :)

White Jeans $8.50 Gloria Vanderbilt
White V-Neck Tee $1 Chico's
Striped Cardigan $5.99 Bobeau
Scarf $2.91
blue gray bangle $2.38
Navy Purse $7.38 Liz Claiborne
Navy Sandals $6.80 east 5th

Wardrobe Newbies: Scarf, Top, Necklace

I'm very happy with all three of my new pieces.  I know I'll be wearing this scarf a lot.  Was thrilled with the necklace and know I'll wear it a lot too.  I've purchased several necklaces from ebay recently and have received about half of them so far.  I'm very pleased with each one I've gotten, but this one and another silver one with multiple hoops on the chain are my favorites.

Joining in with the sassy Renae at Simple Sequins for Fashion Item Friday.

Black Pants $9.97 Atelier Luxe
Top $5.82 Fashion Bug
Scarf $2.91
Antique Silver Floral Engraved Bracelet $3.99
Sandals $5.60 Unlisted by Kenneth Cole
~ ~ ~
Circle Silver and Rhinestone Necklace $1.87
Purse $14.99 Koltov Collection = Ross

Long Floral Scarf

A new scarf that went perfectly with my robin's egg blue jeans. 

Jeans $9.23 Great Northwest Indigo
Black Tee $2.80 Falls Creek
Scarf $4.85
Purse $8 Fossil
Sandals $4.87 Great Northern Clothing Company
~ ~ ~
Earrings $6.50 from Expressions - Port Townsend

Charlotte Gainsbourg Approves

I was looking for a pair of casual black flats last week while thrifting and came across these by Franco Sarto.

I wondered if they were too pointed of toe.  I had never purchased flats with such a toe, nor do I think I had ever even seen any quite like them that I can remember.  They felt comfortable enough and were under $6 so home with me they came.
Then I saw this photo at Net-a-Porter of Charlotte Gainsb0urg wearing super pointy toed flats and I knew I'd made the right decision in my purchase.
I can hardly bear to not wear my open toed shoes while I have the weather to allow it....but these new shoes are certainly tempting me.  Soon, my pretties, I'll wear you soon.... 

Blue + Beige + Stripes = $1.29

A new 3/4 length sleeved sweater purchased on bargain day at Goodwill.  I like the scooped neck, but I had intended on wearing a beige tank top underneath to cover any unintentional exposed bra straps, but I forgot to do that... so I threw on a scarf before heading out the door to solve that problem.  I actually like the outfit better without the scarf and so will try to remember that tank next time. :)

Beige Jeans $3.99 Style & Co.
Striped Sweater $1.29
Necklace & Bracelet
Navy Purse $7.38 Liz Claiborne
Brown Low Wedge Sandals

"Cali Chic"...My New Preferred Style

Over time my style preferences sure have changed.  I remember several years ago I wore mostly long skirts of the boho style.  Then I lost some weight and felt more confident to wear more fitted styles.  I now find myself totally enamored with what I call a "Cali (or LA) Chic" look.  I describe it as a put together look...a look that is not trying to hard...has a casual vibe, but a touch of sophistication...a look that could be worn just about anywhere.  It may include oversized sweaters and cardigans, layers, definitely scarves, sometimes a heel and sometimes flats or loafers as footwear.
I have enjoyed buying some new pieces and putting together outfits to create my style vision.
I am very much liking, and am feeling very comfortable in, the direction this style chapter of my life is taking.

 

In this outfit I've paired an oversized knit cardigan in an olive color (only $1.29 from Chico's) with black pants and tee.  I've added a black and olive print scarf, an olive handbag, a cognac ring and cognac Ann Taylor sandals.  Here I've also added larger statement jewelry pieces.

What do you think?  Do you like this look?  Do you have a signature style or any particular preferences for yourself?  Have you found that your ideas on how you would like to dress have changed over the years?

This entire outfit (minus the jewelry) cost only about $26.  Not bad for pants, tee, cardigan, scarf, purse AND shoes! :)

The scarf and cardigan are new... the shoes are new also and have a wedge heel and soft leather on top so they were very comfortable all day.

Well, in closing this post, I must say that the above type of outfit is my current style preference....but I do have lots of other things in my closet that need wearing and may not actually fit into my "Cali Chic" category.  I do hope to (over the months and years) weed through and eliminate the pieces that no longer fit into my desired wardrobe...but it's a process and takes time and mental readiness.

Black Ankle Pants $9.97 Atelier Luxe
Black Tee $2.80 Cato
Olive Cardigan $1.29 Chico's
Scarf $1.99
Olive Purse $3
Wedge Sandals $6.80 Ann Taylor
~ ~ ~
Bracelet $10.80 Forever 21
Necklace $8.80 Forever 21

OOTD for Lunch and a Seaside Stroll

This time I wore my Parisian scarf with this bright green button down top.   Last time I wore it with all black (here).

White Ankle Pants $5.99 J.Crew
Black Tank Top
Green Button Down Top $2.50 Old Navy
Bracelets
Purse $8 Fossil
Black Flip Flops
~ ~ ~
Scarf = gifted from daughter and son-in-law's trip to Paris

Cobalt Stripes With Floral Scarf

This is a first time wear for the scarf, top, and sandals.  It is easily one of my favorite outfits.  I love the colors and casual chic feel of this look.

White Ankle Pants $5.99 J.Crew
Striped Tee $1.50 Gap
Scarf $3.99
Bracelet $2.80
Blue Flip Flops $3.24 Macwell
~ ~ ~
Double Hoop Earrings $6.50 - purchased at Port Townsend boutique (Expressions) at anniversary stay 2013 

Linking up with Patti for Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style and also Sacramento at Mis Papelicos for Share-In-Style:  Summer.

Brush Strokes in Charcoal and Putty

I liked the neutral colored paintbrush pattern on this top and also the slinky feel of the fabric. 

Beige Jeans $3.99 Style & Co.
Top $4.20 JM Collection
Sleeveless Black Cardigan $2
Necklace
Bracelets
Purse $8 Fossil

Sandals

~ ~ ~

Below is another outfit I've worn recently.  Although I got compliments on it...I just didn't feel so great wearing it.  I am not satisfied wearing many shades of purple.  I like this cardigan best as I've worn it before here...with a tan colored top underneath.

Ankle Pants $4 Talbots
Purple Tank Top
Cardigan $5 Christopher Banks
Necklace & Earrings
Purse $8 Nine West
Sandals $5.60 Etienne Aigner

Navy and Gray Stripes

This is a very casual outfit, but I've already decided it's one of my favorites.  This is a first time wear for this tee.  It is a very thin material, super soft, and I love the navy and gray color combo.  (I wore another navy/gray combo here.)  I added the navy beaded necklace and antique silver engraved bracelet to spruce it up a bit.  Also, my gray flip flops have little gemstones on them.

White Jeans $8.50 Gloria Vanderbilt
Striped Tee $1.50 Arizona Jeans
Necklace $3.20
Bracelet $3.99
Navy Purse $7.38 Liz Claiborne
Flip Flops $6.65 Merona

Social Media...and OOTD

After reading this women's story here Blogger Beware:  You CAN Get Sued For Using Photos You Don't Own I decided I did not want this to happen to me.  I'm sad about it.  :(  It was an enjoyable pastime for me.
Last night I spent hours deleting photos from my Pinterest and Tumblr account.   Most photos I'd reblogged or repinned from other Pinterest and Tumblr sites of fashion/food/hairstyles I liked and was inspired by.
I know that EVERYBODY does it.  But I did not want to be like this woman and get sued and have to pay possibly thousands of dollars for lawyers, etc.  I know the chances of that happening are very small....but it happened to her...and I felt it was just not worth the risk.
From now on I'll just save photos I like to my own computer.
Does anyone else ever have thoughts or concerns about this?
...
On to the OOTD....  :)

 Tan Ankle Pants $4 Talbots
Green/Navy Striped Tee $2.43 St. John's Bay
Gold Chain Necklace $5.99
Navy Purse $7.38 Liz Claiborne
Dark Brown Sandals $3.24

New Dragonfly Necklace

I like to buy myself a little jewelry memento sometimes when we take a little getaway trip.  This gold dragonfly necklace was purchased on our recent anniversary trip to the Oregon coast.  There was a wonderful little boutique called Bonjour in Florence, Oregon about a half hour from where we were staying.  I absolutely loved their clothing and jewelry.  If I'd had a thousand dollars for shopping I could have gotten a couple of really pretty outfits. haha  Instead...I happened to find this little dragonfly necklace for a mere $16.75 (and no tax).  If you know my shopping habits you will understand that $16.75 is a lot of money for me to spend on one item! :D   But I was happy with it because, as I've mentioned in previous posts, dragonflies remind me of romance and my honeymoon.  I have a pair of earrings with dragonflies also....that probably cost about the same.  But who can put a price on romance...?  sigh  :)

White Pants $5.99 J.Crew
Blue Striped Tee $1.50 Old Navy
Bracelets
Purse $2.40
Sandals ? 
~ ~ ~
Dragonfly Necklace $16.75 from Bonjour in Florence, OR