Texture for Fall

     As fall approaches I look forward to the big fall issues of the fashion magazines. I enjoy seeing the new items in the stores of Minneapolis where I like to try on pieces from differing collections and think about how I would style them in my own personal way. 

     Here I was looking for a comfortable and patterned skirt that is paired with leather or tweed. I often mix designers and add at least one thrifted or older piece to mix things up. This bag is dark purple and I've worn it often with black shoes to add some color. 

     The jacket is from Calvin Klein. There are many classic and desirable pieces in the fall offerings. Calvin Klein is on my list to watch this season as fall sales approach. How do you decide which items to add that the beginning of a new season? Do you wait for the sales or pick up a special piece before it is sold out in your size?

jacket--calvin klein (here)
skirt--bcbg (here)
shoes--audrey brooke
bag--dkny
earrings--kenneth cole (here)
bracelet--kenneth cole (here)

location--state fair grounds

links
working girl with style
the mrs. and the momma
what I'm loving fridays
friday's five
friday's fancies
inspired and passion for fashion
still blonde after all these years
favorite friday fashion
plane pretty
mingle monday
style elixer
the pleated poppy
three-fer thursday link up
shine-in-style
not dead yet style

Simplicity

     During the 80's I lived in south Minneapolis, a hot bed for creative young hipsters. My art school was near the first hair school headed by the famous hairstylist Horst the founder of Aveda hair and beauty products. I was sitting in a cafe and a stylish young woman gave me her card and asked if I would like to be a model for a hair show? What did I have to lose except some hair.

     At the salon they lined up all the models and Horst strolled by holding a clip board and looked at each of us and declared which cut he envisioned. At the time I had long hair which I wore in a bun on top of my head.  He looked at me and declared, "short and blond"..........I thought, no way, I'm getting out of here. As everyone shuffled to the salon, I slipped quietly out a side door.

     He was right, short hair was for me. A few years later I did cut my hair and I haven't looked back. Have you ever been given fashion or hair advice you couldn't imagine then come around to embrace it completely?

dress--t tahari
shoes--vince camuto
necklaces--lucky brand (here) (here)
purse--catz madris

location--grandstand at the fair grounds

links
working girl with style
everyday fashion and fiance
simply lulu style
friday's five
best of friday
not dead yet style
sunday style
monday bloom
mingle monday
random wednesday
the pleated poppy
the life of the party

80's Styling Revisited for Fall

      Ah the 1980's......big hair, asymmetric design and pointy stilettos. I was in art school then. We used "Final Net" hairspray as a fixative on our charcoal drawings, then sprayed our hair, just to keep it big and spiky!

     This jacket is from the pre-fall collection from BCBG one of my favorite designers. I find their coats and jackets downright exciting and this fall season is no exception. If you swing by one of their stores, take a peak. Hope you find some inspiration as I do.

jacket--bcbg (here)
skirt--the limited
shoes--calvin klein
bracelet--bcbg
earrings--kenneth cole

location--orange wall at a video transfer store in Roseville

links
the mrs. and the momma
simplify lulu style
two thirty five designs
verizon voices
monday bloom
mingle monday
lowercase letters
watch what i'm wearing
coffee beans and bobby pins
the pleated poppy
the style elixir
what i wore to work
not dead yet style

Getting My Groove On

     Hi everyone! I've been shopping the absolute rock bottom clearance of summer shoes this week.  Minnesota is located in the upper midwest of the US and we can be a practical sort of people. This time of year as thoughts of arctic weather truly isn't that far away, the wonderfully outrageous footwear is just waiting for some impractical lady like me to pick them up for a steal. A woman in her eighties was sitting by me when I was trying on these shoes. She said, "Honey if you can walk in those shoes, you should get them!" 

     The shoes, bracelet and necklace were an inexpensive purchase. I've been eyeing pants with a stripe down the side of the leg and remembered I did have some I have not worn for years. Then I added a old BCBG silk caftan top and the outfit is complete. 

     I been thinking a lot about why I'm blogging. I hope you find my blog to be an inspiration point, especially to the 40 plus crowd. If your life can swing it, get your groove on! I'm seeing so much inspiration out there amongst the wide variety of blogs made by all ages of women. We deserve to feel good, feel our power and go out into the world and be seen. 

pants--ellen tracy
top--bcbg
bracelet--bcbg
necklace--forever 21
shoes--vince camuto

location--a small structure on the grounds of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum     

links
friday's fancies
life of the party
not dead yet style
rolled pretty
the pleated poppy
shoe shine
what I wore to work
working girl with style
friday's five

Black Lace on White

     Thanks to those who entered the necklace giveaway last week. My fellow blogger Amber of Butane Anvil was chosen by Rafflecopter as the winner! I'm sure she will come up with a fabulous outfit for this necklace.

     This week is our anniversary. Dean and I have been building a life together and a small business since 1987. After all the years, I love and appreciate him and his many talents more than ever. If you adore cats, like we do, take a moment to watch this short piece on one of Dean's sculptures. I just had to share this because it puts a smile on my face and I hope yours too.
     

dress--bcbg (here)
shoes--nine west 
bracelet--bcbg
     
site--under a bridge by the Mississippi River 

links
look what I got 
mix and match fashion
fridays five
not dead yet style  
plane pretty
monday mingle
monday bloom
style sessions
the pleated poppy
perfectly coutured
life of the party