Archive for the ‘Black & White’ Category
Black & White for Summer
Posted on: July 26, 2017
- In: Black & White | Boho Outfits | Gratitude | Mom On the Go | Neutrals | shoes | Summer Outfits | Trends
- 2 Comments
I have often said that “Black & White Outfits are Always Right”
I have yet to see or wear one I did not love.
I added this Harve Bernard embroidered Kimono for this season,
as I wanted to embrace the embroidered trend in my favorite topper of the summer, kimonos.
I was on my way out to go print flyers for my weekend event for my new Amelia James Clothing business.
That planner I ordered from Etsy has been so helpful and the first thing on my list of needs for business.
After all, I am old school and prefer pen and paper and need organization , especially with my ADD.,
It was a very sunny time of day to take pictures, but I knew if I did not do it then,
it would not have happened at all.
I am having sinus issues and not at my best , in fact I have a temperature as I am typing this.
Fingers crossed this passes quickly as I have that big first event to introduce my business
to the community at a fundraiser for “Mended Little Hearts of Coastal Virginia” a brand new
chapter in our area for families dealing with children born with heart defects.
I have been very busy starting this new business and had my open houses last weekend.
It was great to get our feet wet and have one on one time with few friends and to hear
feedback on our line in comparison to our competitor who has a huge following.
The longer I am with this company and see what our founder stands for the happier I am with
my choice to choose Amelia James over Lularoe or Agnes & Dora.
Our founder is an ex rep of both of those companies and took her experiences
to create a company that is great for both reps and the customers.
I have been very busy and want to get back to blogging more and will do my best.
Gratitude
I am so grateful that I felt my sister come through to me this past weekend and it brought me to tears.
I am grateful that my business is expanding to carry 4x clothing and that I have a friend that I am excited to help.
I am grateful for the support of my family
I am grateful that my husband was able to heal with his family and spent a great weekend with them in Boston.
I am grateful that my hard working husband is starting his own business and is something he is passionate and excited about.
I am grateful to be wearing my sister’s Clark”s wedges today ( she had bought them end of season and they were brand new)
I am grateful my business partner and dear friend supported my doing a bike theme to honor my sister in the home boutique.
I even put a picture of Kelley up and it wasn’t until that moment that I felt at ease int he boutique.
The entire week as I was finishing it up I was crying like at the beginning of the mourning process, but
once the bicycle stuff was up and her picture I have been totally at ease.
In the photo Kelley is putting up her fist in celebration of completing a two day ride and this truly
is how I always think of her as so many times she got really knocked down and she rose higher each time.
Biking became a true passion after her abusive marriage and divorce!
The copper bike was in her kitchen and is actually to hold a bottle of wine, I used it to put in a card Kelley had written me many years ago!
This shows the legging rack my husband made for me and
the dressing room with the bicycle print and a nice sign that fits our bike theme.
And yet another Bicycle themed touch as you enter the dining room which is
now ” Amelia James by K & T Stylists”
The framed piece is a letter from our founder that was truly inspirational.
Dear Readers, Thanks for Letting me share the hard work that went into my Boutique!
If you would like to see more about the business you can join my Facebook page HERE.
Embracing Maximal Trend
Posted on: October 19, 2016
I’ve always referred to my style as maximal,
but this season it’s an official trend!
How does one embrace Fall Maximalism when the temperatures are LIKE Summer?
Check out the Lovely Ladies at the “I Feel Pretty Link Up”
My private style sisters group suggested styling a skirt and with all the fun
talk regarding the maximal trend on a fashion forum,
I knew just what skirt needed to come out to play!
This multi media OSO Casuals skirt is on clearance for $18.99 and comes in 4 great colors perfect for Fall. It’s hard to see , but the bottom is lace and there are two panels of embroidery on top of the embossed floral material. That itself qualifies this as a maximal piece.
You can see the lace bottom better in this photo.
I paired it with another maximal piece of the my polka dot sweater with ruffle detail .
I’ve had that for a few years and it still remains a favorite sweater.
My metallic pointed toe low wedges are a thrifted find.
A “blingy” necklaces also ups the maximal level.
My necklace is a Susan Graver from previous seasons , but Here are her current ones available .
You can see the ruffle detail in my sweater better in this photo.
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I finished it off with my cute owl cuff bracelet that I found awhile back on Ebay.
You can see a peek of my new nail color a fun red -orange shade.
I got acrylics for my cruise, a first for me and DH loved the idea of my keeping them.
I finished this maximal look off with my GILI ( stands for Got it Love it )
obi belt and hobo style purse (sold out from previous seasons ) .
Dear Readers, I love these Fall colors and have so many other ways I plan to
wear this skirt going into winter. Burgundy is going very strong for the season!
Have you thought about ways to embrace the maximal trend or are you a die hard minimalist who is steering clear?:
Chime in, love your comment!
Gratitude
I am grateful that the universe gives what you ask for, today DH went to northern Virginia to cover leads, as he’s not been having as many as he’d like and the opportunity came up for two days of packed in leads so off he went!
I am grateful that my DH has inherited such a strong work ethic from his Father.
I am grateful that tonight my son is coming home from college with our new bunny!
I am grateful that my son had a good day at bowling.
- In: animal Print | Black & White | fall | Gratitude | shoes
- 5 Comments
Well, this look is close to a formula of my last outfit…
Striped top and open kimono…
But all striped tops are not created equal….
These stripes are gold sparkly thread.
My sincerest apologies as the lighting is not the best to show the glittery gold stripes.
Today I went out to lunch with two very dear friends and before we knew it was almost 5;30,
so pictures were taken at dusk
I retook this inside in hopes of showing the gold stripes.
I am again wearing two necklaces, my Honora pearl choker is currently
on clearance for just $39,99
I purchased this sweater back in September on clearance from
Loft for just $18, like I said before, you have
to love when Loft or Ann Taylor does extra off clearance prices,
this one was at 60% of the clearance price.
This is my first time wearing what I consider my score of the Season!
I had fallen in love with these Same Edelman Okala ankle pump ,
as they’ve been all over blogs and my style forum sites.
They were over $100 when they first came on the scene and out of my reach
for pumps since I am a stay at home mother who doesn’t have occasions to wear them often.
I stalked them all over the internet and when they went on clearance at HSN for $$49.99
I was delighted because they actually had my size 7.5.
Amazon has them HERE in limited sizes.
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As much as I LOVE color, I also adore black and white outfits.
In fact I say in my head every time I put outfits of black and white together,
“Black and White is always Right!”
I simply can’t help but notice these shoes in this photo and am over the moon that I finally own them.
My Dear Readers, Have you ever stalked something and been delighted to have it go down into your price range?
If so, share in the comments what it was and if you still feel the same after owning it awhile or
perhaps if you have you own ” Score of the Season” What would it be???
Gratitude
I am grateful for a wonderful lunch with two dear friends and plans to start a monthly lunch with any friends who can make it.
I am also grateful to have made plans to go see a play next month, as I love the theater and our city’s one at the beach is such fun.
I am grateful that DH’s last words before he went out this morning was to shout , ” Have a great lunch! ”
I am grateful that we are scheduling a cruise for next year back to Bermuda and that more women are joining us for the adventure.
Find Joy in the Journey…
Posted on: June 10, 2016
I recently saw a few t-shirts with positive sayings that match messages
I value and want to put out in the world
on Jane.com and am delighted that they began arriving yesterday.
Be on the LOOK OUT for another saying or two coming soon….
When I was in my 3o’s I dreamed of creating shirts like this,
so it’s only natural that now at 50 ,
that I am embracing them !
This sayng holds a very special place in my heart because I think
it’s been a message I was forced to come to terms with on my own
when at the tender age of 13 my father passed away.
Upon mourning the great loss throughout my teens I really looked at the
relationships my peers had with their fathers and saw immediatley the blessing.
It was in early adulthood that I began saying,
” I had more in my 13 years with him that many people will ever have”
My father was one special man and I know it’s because he too lost his father when he was young and he was the youngest
child with three older sisters and the youngest one was 17 when he was born.
He use to say that he was raised by 4 mothers.
It truly made for a very compassionate man whose legacy of love is dear to my heart and has given me such strength to stand strong at times when I’ve wanted to crumble….
There truly was Joy in the journey of even something so wretched in losing my father.
I was very much a Daddy’s Girl and didn’t have much use for my mother, his death opened up
a most fabulous relationship with my mother that I doubt would have been found had he lived.
I also saw my mother grow in ways that too wouldn’t have been needed had she had him to lean on.
My Attitude of Gratitude comes from knowing that if you look deep enough there is joy in every part of this journey of life.
Gratitude
I am grateful for the support and love among my homeschooling bowling Moms.
I am grateful for getting up before my alarm and fitting in a Pilates workout before taking my son bowling.
I am grateful for the fun anticipation of spending tomorrow at Harborfest with a friend and to my husband for giving me the VIP passes from his customer to use for myself and my friend.
I am grateful for the fun and laughter that I share on a daily basis with my 20 year old son home from college, he really has the best sense of humor!
Wishing My Dear Readers A weekend filled with Sun, Fun . Laughter and Love!
Patterned Culottes
Posted on: April 1, 2016
Embracing the idea of Culottes for the Season,
I looked on Ebay to see what other options were available
as luck would have it I scored these Black & White Floral ones
by New York & Co.
Like my windy hair?
I’ve mentioned before that I love black and white patterns
because you can keep them neutral with or you can add any color
making them extremely versatile.
This Collen Lopez sweater is so fun and comfortable that I wish it wasn’t sold out
in the other colors, but then again ,I scored it for a great price.
I took a chance and bought the M/L despite being on a weight loss journey
and am confident that it will still work.
I am having so much fun breaking out my wedges
after packing away my beloved colllection of boots.
I bought these Clarks last season in both the black and neutral and they
are available at QVC , although I found mine on 6pm.com.
Dear Readers day four of my banana and hot tea for breakfast with proteins the rest of the day,
and I am feeling great, kicking that sugar and carb cravings!
I am feeling so great emotionally because I am getting out of that rut
I’ve been in for way too long that has allowed for this weight gain.
I feel strong and empowered!
Who knew all this could happen from a silly little post on Facebook about eating banana and hot beverage for breakfast ?
Grateful
I am grateful that I am being strong with my resistent homeschooler to writing and have given him an assignment and the tools needed to be successful.
I am grateful for a fun phone call with my daughter , whose first words to me were “I think I was meant to be a penquin?” She went on to explain that with Boston being 67 degrees she is too hot… Poor child will be home in just two months for our humid Summer…
I am grateful for a great phone call with my husband today, he’s been very busy with some projects recenlty and it was nice to touch base and really talk in the middle of the day. Sure beats texting anyday!
I am grateful that I booked a haircut appointment for Monday, as this length is bugging the daylights out of me!
I am grateful for my husband opted to come home and take our 2.5 mile walk together rather than heading to his gym.
Black and White Prints
Posted on: March 17, 2016
I have this real love of pattern in my outfits,
and one that I love is anything in black and white.
I’ve had this zebra print jean jacket for awhile and never tire of it.
It might just have been the beginning of my love of black and white patterns.
Black and white with pops of any color leads to so many outfit
opportunities and that’s why I now own lots of options for that.
I have polka dot cardigan, pants and a skirt.
I also have a black and white aztec cardigan that makes a big impact.
I like having pieces of each category meaning, bottoms, tops and toppers in the black and white prints
and even added a pair of houndstooth print shoes as another option.
I highly encourage you my dear readers to evaluate your wardrobe and see if adding a touch of any black and white print in say a pair of pants or a shoe are in order to add versatility into your style?
My hair started off like this….
Then in seconds, onto this
And even this, with my jacket blowing open, lol.
I get a kick out of photos my young photographer catches like this.
And promptly thought I always hope I have hair to blow in the wind
and don’t go to shorter haircuts as I age, lol…
I broke out my Diane Gilman trouser jeans for this look.
This was actually Tuesday’s outfit as I am behind.
This along with a salad was my dinner Tuesday night and a family favorite.
It’s barbecue chicken breast layered with slices of tomato, bacon and topped with
sharp cheddar that has been put in the oven on broil to melt.
Over the years I’ve discovered I like grilling the chicken plain, then dumping it into a
bowl of the barbecue sauce to coat it for more barbecue flavor that doesn’t melt off in the cooking.
I eat it in this dish, but my guys pile it on a nice roll for a sandwhich!
Looking for some white dishes like this to make individual dishes , Here is what I found at Amazon.
Gratitude
I am grateful for a fabulous , fun Wednesday spent with great people for lunch, a walk at Mt. Trashmore and the bowling clinic.
I am grateful for the women in my life and friendships that enrich my spirit.
I am grateful to my husband’s dear friend who met him for lunch yesterday and brought him Irish Soda Bread, tasted just like the beloved scones we ate daily in Ireland!
I am grateful that after having a few bites of the bread, my dear husband asked me if I wanted to go for a late night walk and is supporting my wanting to lose this menopausal weight gain.
I am grateful for quality time on our hour long late night walk.
I am grateful to my son away at college who had a wonderful surprise package waiting for his younger brother when we returned from our day of adventure. It was a wonderful Star Wars poster for the redecorating we are doing of his room. I love this relationship between my two youngest!
I am grateful that when we were in the car on our way to the second bowling of the day, that my son away at college called to talk to his brother and asked to be put on speaker phone to share his funny adventure with our rabbit that he has at school with him… She jumped up on his bed right into his plate of curry chicken, turned herself orange and had to be bathed, lol.
And Oh Yeah, Happy ST. Patrick’s Day!
I’ll post my Green Outfit Later this afternoon…
Upside Down & Backwards….
Posted on: March 1, 2016
Mondays truly are the hardest days in our homeschooling journey.
I don’t know why it’s so difficult but historically is always the same with neither one of us being at our best.
Since we already do a four day a week schedule, something had to give…
Yesterday it hit me, Why not Make Mondays, Backwards…
I got dressed in a very casual leggings, tunic and sneakers outfit
and suggested my teen come for a walk with me to the Dollar Store.
It’s about a 15 minute walk and we had a beautiful ( yet windy) 72 degrees and sunny day.
Homeschooling can be done 24 hours a day, so why do we have to start when he finally rolled out of bed at noon?
I did mention the windy day, didn’t I?
Every picture I took in front of the tree had my hair like this, lol.
It was my first picture of the series, so it was nice to see it calmed down.
It was also nice to see my teen son (16 in April) embrace my idea and join me for the walk.
We bought two trash cans for his room, one to put beside the new desk we assmebled over the weekend,
and one to put by his bed. He and his father both have this water bottle issue so one right by the bed was a must!
I am happy to report that my idea worked brilliantly and when we returned from our outing,
he completed his assignments scheduled for the day with no problem
and not dragging like he normally does on Mondays.
I think that about half my job as a mother is taking problems and finding solutions and after
29 years as a mother and 4 kids, I am proud to say, I’ve developed quite a knack for problem solving
and have gained quite a bit of respect from my children who benefit from it.
Self care
Well of course a walk in the sunlight was my self care of the day, because I certainly needed it. I struggle sometimes with lack of sunlight and really should have gotten off my butt and taken care of that issue this winter season.I think the sleep disorder and menopausal stuff made this year a bit more difficult. I talked a big game about getting myself a sunlight therapy lamp and finally on my walk realized even though winter is almost over, there are always cloudy days year round that I could benefit from having a solution to and I hit up Amazon first thing this Tuesday morning and purchased it. I actually asked DH to check Sam’s Club for the one we’d seen earlier in the season and last night he informed me they were sold out. He knows I need it and suggested immediately that I check out online for one. I am grateful for his support.
Gratitude
I am grateful for my walk with my son yesterday as it reminds me so much of walks with my father.
I am grateful that my idea worked and that we had a peaceful afternoon, without me having to nag, lol.
I am grateful for the joy of college Spring Break and the countdown we are doing until the two away are home on Friday.
I am grateful for sunshine and warmer weather, we have one more day of it before we drop back to the 50’s and 40’s.
Black & White Pattern Mixing
Posted on: February 22, 2016
- In: Black & White | Boots | Gratitude | Homeschooling | Mom On the Go | Neutrals | Pattern Mixing | Petite | prints | Winter Looks
- 1 Comment
I quite often say, “Black and White is Always Right” when it comes
to styling outfits, as I’ve never put that color combo together and not loved it!
I love everything about this look.
Starting with the pattern mixing of this multi media foral print tunic (I found it on a flash sale on Jolly Chic, asian sizing , but so cute, a sweatshirt attached to a fun cotton skirted bottom) amd the cozy azztec print sweater.
The addition of the silver and black neclaces adds to the black and white theme.
The texture and sheen of the leatherette leggings by Hue also adds a great element to the black and white theme, as does the fringe booties.
One pop of color in the bright handbag, ( a gift from 31 gifts)
With this tunic having a nice skirted hem, it’s almost like wearing a fun skirt ,
which put a pep in my step.
That’s not an easy thing to do , today, as my sinuses are way off and I feel disoriented.
I’ve noticed that this winter I have done a lot more outfits that qualify as boho ,
that’s a big change as in previous years I’ve felt that my boho side had to wait until
Spring/Summer to come out to play.
The fun of blogging and seeing my outfits allows me to see patterns and directions of my style.
Of course everyone doesn’t need to be a blogger, but taking pictures is something anyone can do and
I highly recommend it. I have learned so much about how to dress my petite, curvy body from pictures.
It’s been a very fun journey and to be at this point of more confidence is priceless.
Self Care
I would have to say , I haven’t done much these past few days in self care, other than taking meds for
the sinus issues that are present due to the crazy swings in our temps. I skipped two days on my Pilates machine and am not happy about that at all….
Gratitude
I am grateful for my son apologizing and realizing he hadn’t spoken clearly about something.
I am grateful that my son finally brought me his sign language course and we figured out the ins and outs of it as it was confusing to him and he was completely stalled on moving forward.
I am grateful that after waking up at 5am , having breakfast at 7am that I went back to sleep and slept until almost noon!
I am grateful that although I feel somewhat disoriented, that my pounding headache is gone!
I am grateful for days of sunshine, cause rain is heading our way…
National Wear Red Day!
Posted on: February 5, 2016
Wearing Red Today to Bring Awareness to Heart Health!
I took pictures earlier today, so not as great for the position of the sun…
Wearing my Loft printed pants, a red peplum to with aceessories in black
A colder day of winter after a few days of warmth.
I’ve been wearing my fringe black ankle boots and neglecting these ones from Ireland.
I really love these Loft pants and think when I get back down in my
weight that I will be buying a few more from that line.
I had turned a lot of my pants shopping toward Old Navy, thinking as a stay at home mother,
that is all I needed…I love the better quality and feel of these.
I added my purple coat ,hat , gloves and switched to my flat ankle boots
for my walk to the grocery store.
Self Care
I’ve been looking at the new Weight Watchers Smart points program, reading blogs and checking out my breakfast smoothie , lunch and dinner preferences to see how it would work out.
The program is quite different from the previous where my Chia seeds and MCT oil for my breakfast smoothie doubledand where fruits were now free, they are in the new program EXCEPT if you put them in a smoothie!
They give you a few more points, but not enough to make up for having my moring smoothie now be half the points for a day…
Still deciding if I am going to indeed go back to WWs….as reading blogs a lot of lifetime members are saying it feels more like a diet and not sustainable for life…
Gratitude
I am grateful to have slept unit 9 am this morning…not something I can take for granted with this crazy menopausal sleep disturbances…
I am grateful that my homeschooling son is finished with his World History class, making room for the Driver’s Ed course.
I am grateful for phone calls from both my kids away at college today, literally had to get off the phone with one to talk to the other, lol
I am grateful for a day that had no rain and for the return of Sunshine!
Sunday Casual
Posted on: November 30, 2015
- In: Black & White | Boho Outfits | Boots | Burgundy | fall | Fall Fashion Colors | Petite
- 3 Comments
I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving Weekend!
I enjoyed the short time we had with our college kids home,
but they’ll be back for a longer time in just two weeks!
Linking Up With Visible Monday!
Today the temperatures were pretty nice, so I went for a 3/4 sleeve paisley top
under the black and white wrap from Jane.com.
I am getting quite a kick out of these wraps that are coming out and being called ponchos.
If anything they are an open poncho.
Traditionally this type of garment was longer and called a ruana, which I tended to steer clear of with
my petite height as they overwhelmed me.
Here’s what Amazon has to offer when I searched “Open Poncho” , so I guess it is a thing!
I gave my fringe boots a break and wore my boots purchased in Ireland last year.
My pants are jogger style from Old Navy. (Cyber Monday sale is 40% off Everything)
I got a kick out of my 13 year old niece mentioning wanting this style pants.
I love them becasue nothing beats them for comfort and the opposite juxtapositon
of styling them with tops and heeled shoes is near and dear to my ying/yang loving heart.
Gratitude
I am so grateful for the closeness I see among my children, not something I take for granted as there is 4 1/2 yrs between each of them.
I am grateful that my hotflashes have subsided and that I’ve slept the past two nights with no sleep aids.
I am grateful my husband took my son off to Ihop for some quality time together today, while I stayed home alone, sometimes this homeschooling mother just needs a break.
I am grateful for a very relaxing low key Sunday, even if both our teams lost…
Versatile Style by Tracey 