My Way with Brown and Grey

 Shopped the Closet (and drawers & jewelry boxes) this morning

while dressing for church.  

The long strand of amber beads fills in the neckline of a shirt

I bought at a thrift store many moons ago.

Multiple amber bracelets and some comfortable brown shoes

complete the accessories.

(And would you believe I'm wearing all this with a grey skirt?)

christmas sweater

It's a very cold day today, but this sweater is warm, it's seasonal, and it's old. It was on my closet shelf and originated in Christmases long, long ago.

Do YOU have an old sweater
that you hang on to?

I never wear this one enough to feel like I got my $$$'s worth.  It's rare that I buy a new sweater, but I bought a bunch like this back in the days when our family didn't number 19 and I was buying identical tops for us to wear for Christmas pictures....Given the numerical growth of our family (see prior post for picture) I can't afford to do that any longer.  (Maybe that's another reason I don't part with THIS one.)

sunday's closet

 Hastily "shot".

 Pitifully edited.

 Happily worn.

 "Old" Pendleton jacket.

 "New" sleeveless - and SHORT (for me) -  dress.

 All from thrift stores at one time or another.

I WILL rework the scarf before stepping out the door to church,

but definitely will wear it....

Labor Day Weekend - Trivial Pursuits

Architectural pieces, heavy (cast iron?) and hiding in our garage,

make good bookends!

 

50 cents!  Can't wait to wear 'em!

 A few of my Labor Day Weekend finds (above)...

a look to copy (below - from a magazine browsed through at Barnes and Noble)...

a craft to try (below - also from a magazine at B & N)...

and a surprise from my closet--

wrinkled but fitting!

Me and My Table

 ...not sure if that's correct grammar ("me and my table")...

But my husband put the last coat of paint and finish on this refurbished

gate-leg table that we purchased at a garage sale a few weeks back.

This afternoon we'll find (or MAKE) a place for it in the house.

I'm wearing a light-weight cotton Gap blouse and a Size 8 jean skirt!

I just "had" to put the size in here.

I'm shopping my closet since I've lost enough pounds

to fit into some clothes I've had waiting for this moment!

All thrifted, of course!

shopping my closet

Sunday.  And it's a pretty big day for me!
I've been diligently working to lose some
weight so I could "shop the closet".

The Lord knows there's plenty of clothes in it!

Today, I fit comfortably into this thrifted, vintage dress. It was missing the cloth belt, so I belted it with a navy blue belt I also found at a thrift store.

See the word stenciled above me?
That pretty much sums up my journey this far.

Here I am standing next to a golden oak buffet
that we got at a thrift store years ago.  Most of the white wares on its top were also found at thrift stores (except the pumpkin - which I made at a ceramic shop).  This picture "tells" me I could tidy that buffet top up a bit...and maybe do SOMEthing to look a little less matronly in the dress.  (I was so excited to fit in it that I didn't think about accessorizing!)

If you missed my previous post
(Tall, Huge, Seasonal), take a look at some of my weekend finds.
I just couldn't wait another day to celebrate my closet!

weekend wardrobe

 Dark, windy and damp...

 maybe a little color will perk me up...

I often forget to add a scarf to my outfits -
(or simply despair of tying them attractively).

Not this morning!

I found this scarf in a thrift store while on vacation recently.  

It works with the striped shirt from my "closet".

what's new here?

Black denim jeans & vest - from thrift store to closet shelves...

What's new is this triple strand necklace.  It was in a $.25 see-through bag of jewelry that I bought recently at a church rummage sale--MAINLY because I thought I saw an (genuine) ivory necklace.

I haven't tested the ivory necklace yet.  It's a little primitive, but I'm optimistic.  I was going to throw this necklace away but decided it was worth keeping.  It has one silver strand and two off-white.

Going for the Gold

I went for the "GOLD" this morning--a gold stretchy shirt/top with black skirt & tan heels.

After a busy Friday and Saturday, I'm looking forward to a relaxing afternoon - after taking my husband out for a Father's Day dinner, of course.

Sunshine and Cottonwood Seeds

Today,
Sonoma capris and a long-sleeve white tee with a cut-out stripe across its top.
Some dangly earrings add to the pizazz.

A classic casual look for me on this sunny day!  

Sunshine and a serious wind
are sending the humidity scurrying.

At the same time, the cottonwood seeds 

are ALSO blowing furiously...

How about these cloth napkins?  I found them at "my" thrift store yesterday!  It had been a long time since I'd been there and there were many new goodies -- apparently the leftovers of the numerous garage sales the weekends of May and June.

Simple Clothes for Simple Days

Cool and simple.  Khaki skirt, olive green Tee, tan belt...flip flops (the closest slip-ons to the front door)...

It's nothing spectacular but will suit my schedule just fine today.  Clouds are overcast; it's muggy; storms expected.  Good day to enjoy the air-conditioning and get some indoor jobs accomplished.

Too Hot to Handle

I don't handle heat well.  And it has been hot and muggy!  I had this outfit along with me in Kentucky this past week.  I wore it one evening after a shower to wash off the dust of a long, arduous hike.

This morning I will wear it to church.  The dress was given to me by a friend; the vest is from my closet - thrifted, I'm sure. 

For those who wonder, I had a very satisfying and refreshing time at the Abbey of Gethsemani.  I've posted about it in my other blogs listed in the sidebar:  flowers and other scenery in the garden blog; hiking experiences in the healthy living one, and thoughts and reflections in my main blog.  Of course, you're welcome to visit any of them if you have time and are interested...

Dressed for Church

I pulled this very casual dress off the shelf this morning and decided to dress it up with a light-weight jacket, black belt and shoes, and a brooch the same color as the jacket.

 I hope the wrinkles work their way out of the dress.  I had NO time to try out the steamer I thrifted a few weeks ago.

 









I believe this dress will do nicely for my five-day trip to the Abbey of Gethesami in Kentucky next week.  It's comfortable, versatile and will travel easily.

I probably won't have access to internet and cell phone while at the Abbey.  It may be awhile until I post again.  I'll miss all you  "fashionable friends" while I'm gone!

StormWear

No sooner had I uploaded this picture than the sky turned even darker than my face and the rains began (again)!

I decided to add my white studded belt to the light-weight ruffled blouse I'm wearing with the brown plaid-patterned jeans  -- rolled up to acknowledge the heat that Spring has carried with it the past few days. 

I will be doing some research via the internet unless the storm stops me this morning.  I'm sure thankful my husband got the lawn mowed last night!

God Bless America

"While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home."

 

With husband out of town, I plan to spend Memorial Day afternoon at my sister's house. Our parents will be coming.  I've sliced the strawberries to take along with the whipped cream and angel food cake for our dessert.

I'll be wearing all thrifted items with a flag scarf (too small to tie around neck) tucked in to my top's neckline.

I'm Hooked!

"Style and rigid inflexibility rarely play well together."  Statements like this are what keep taking me back to a particular men's fashion blog.  Giuseppe has just the right amount of know-how, style, common sense, thrift, and self-confidence to keep me "hooked"!

Here's what I'm wearing to church this morning.  I'm off to teach a ladies' Sunday class before the worship service at 10:00.  My husband and I will go out to eat a quick lunch before he leaves town.  I'll have about 36 hours to tend to my mental and physical health by setting some new goals, eating more wisely, and creating some interim wardrobe solutions.  (I know what that means, even if it appears vague to everyone else!  Hint:  Mirror placement and the distance from it make photography deceiving.)

Stay-at-Home Comfort

Blue T, tan skirt, black belt & slip-on shoes...All thrifted and found in my closet and drawers...

Stay-at-home day.
Housework, study and reading "Imperfect Birds" by Anne Lamott.

Dizzy Is as Dizzy Does

Small images of my outfit today...Still trying to figure out a few settings on my cell phone camera.  My shoes are see-through, the blouse is brown plaid, and my skirt wrinkled.  Do I dare leave the house looking like this?

As I have said elsewhere, this blog is my "mirror".  I'm seeing myself and may make a few adjustments before going to meet a friend for coffee this morning.

I've been experiencing some dizziness.  Maybe I can blame my looks on that! 

Finally! Sunshine!

Bring out the sandals!

Bring out the pink Vera Bradley bag!

This morning I meet a friend for breakfast decked with my thrifted blouse, scarf, belt, bag and capris!

Speaking of Thrift...

Speaking of "thrift"...this has nothing to do with fashion but everything to do about thrift in daily life.  If you're curious, you can get the scoop here. 

I AM serious about thrift.  For the past few weeks, I've been avoiding thrift stores.  They have brought me GREAT pleasure throughout the years.  However my house is bursting at the seams.  I have need of nothing that I can think of! 

Even though the prices are right, I won't be thrift store shopping for the sheer pleasure of it for awhile.  (Maybe on a "need" basis, though.)

Meanwhile, my fashion decisions and posts (remember, I'm a stay-at-home woman) will reflect the contents of my closet and drawers--which are amply stocked by thrift store purchases.