Patterned Pants

Not for the faint at heart or for anyone who doesn't like to stand out and be different, patterned pants are here!

I thrifted these silk pants about a month ago and have been milling around in my mind what I would wear with them. I also spent time creating outfits out of things I don't have!

I finally wore these paired with a back buttoned silk blouse and loved the effect.

 I love the colors and kept everything in the outfit very simple so the pants could be the star.

The length on me is only appropriate for flats so I may end up cropping them or making a pair of shorts (my original plan).

Pants: Banana Republic-thrifted

Blouse: 100% silk-thrifted

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman-thrifted

Another Fun day on Monday

Another Monday in summer and therefore another day of fun adventures and activities with my daughter.

Simple outfit: Bermuda shorts, polka dot empire waist blouse, leather sandals. 

My girls!

I had to include this photo too, such a sweet picture! This is what we wore to a neighborhood party and had just enough time to snap a few photos before we left.

Also, isn't this watch cute? 
It has a buckle strap (plastic) and a large bronze-gold face and I picked it up for only $7.00.

Linked up today for Monday Mingle, check out all the other stylish Moms!

Shorts: J.Crew (old)

Shirt: Target (2008)

Sandals: Payless

Watch: Walmart

Necklace: J.Crew Outlet (2011)

Earrings: 14kt gold and thrifted for $3!

The Blues

In my effort to do a subtle pose in front of the tripod and camera, I come off looking rather blue in this photo.

But, I'm not. Who could be sad when they thrift a pair of cobalt colored jeans brand new with the tags still on for $2.00??

I was pretty surprised when I spotted these and then thrilled when they fit. They are regular length so I cuffed them rather than have them look too short!

It works as a fun casual outfit; pairing them with a thin floral top, leaf earrings and gladiator sandals.

Jeans: Aeropostale-thrifted

Shirt: Target (old)

Sandals: Mossimo (last summer)

Earrings: thrifted

Vintage Pendleton

I thrifted this vintage Pendleton, Country Sophisticates skirt just last week and originally thought that I would hem or alter it to a shorter length.

But, I wore it and loved the way the soft silky material comfortably swished around my legs on this hot day.

I figured a clothing company that has been around for as long as Pendleton, probably knew what they were doing when they designed this skirt some 30 years ago.

So, I tried to make it a little less dowdy and more trendy by pairing it with a simple grey T-shirt, cap toe flats and fun earrings. Now, does the T look better in or out?

Skirt:  Pendleton Country Sophisticates-vintage thrifted

Shirt: J.Crew 

Shoes: Merona-Target

Earrings: thrifted

Linked up with Harper's Happenings for HOTT!

Neon Stripes and Chambray

Yep, that's right, it's me in a chambray shirt, again.

I think I'm in a style rut...one of the reasons why I started this blog was to force me beyond the mundane, ordinary and "scripted" way I was fashioning outfits from my clothes. Now, let's see if I can identify the cause...

It is summer and I have no real place I have be, so my outfits merely become the ways that I don't wear a swimsuit.  Lucky for me most of my time is spent on the deck, on the dock in the water or on a boat watching over my daughter enjoying the summer and her youth. 

Or I could just dissect what I am wearing: Sneakers (Converse), so I can walk or run where ever I need to go. Cotton skirt:  breathable, stretchy and a cotton chambray, fun and functional.

All put together with a tree shaped pendant,

So summer for me!

Shirt: J.Crew

Skirt: Route 66

Shoes: Converse-thrifted

Necklace: thrifted

Linked up today at Two Thirty five designs for casual Friday and with long distance loving for Friday's Fancies.

Repurposed Necklace DIY

I had a men's gold link necklace kicking around from a family box of castoffs.  It looks to be from those 'necklace by the foot' rolls you see in every mall at those center aisle kiosks. I thought I could probably do something with it so I kept it around.

I originally saw this post on cheetah is the new black and thought aha, I know what I can do with the gold chain necklace I have.

And, this is how the idea was applied:

 I started off with a bundle of embroidery floss and doubled it up two times to have four full strands. I then tied off the end to the large open loop and proceeded to weave the thread through each link with a loop stitch technique.

A close up:

The finished product:

And this is how I wore it:

I was very happy with the finished product and thought that the orange could be swapped out anytime for another color if I tired of it. But, for now it adds just the right touch to many outfits!

Short and Minty

I love this patterned skirt.

I thrifted this skirt back in March and was immediately attracted to this floral medallion pattern. When I first saw it I was excited, and thought "wow a pair of patterned shorts" but, upon closer inspection I saw that it was a skirt...a very short skirt, and I almost didn't buy it for that reason.

I couldn't get over how much I love the print, so I thought that in the very warm days of summer I will be able to pull this off. 

So, I wore it and thumbed my nose to those who say you can't wear mini skirts after age 35! or is 40 or maybe 45?

 Well, I did it!

And, I'd like to think that at my home, on the lake, I can pull it off...it may be a different story out in public.

Skirt: old navy-thrifted

Shirt: Gap

Sandals: TJ Maxx (old)

Necklace: repurposed DIY (more on that in the next post)

I'm linked up to day for Monday Mingle, check out the other fashionable Moms.