Archive for the ‘Gratitude’ Category
Sorry , I took so long….
Posted on: January 27, 2020
- In: Boho Outfits | Gratitude | Mom On the Go | prints | Vest | Winter Looks
- 6 Comments
It took me a bit longer to get back to blogging than I originally planned!
I have decided that I will return for 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
My life these days is busy supporting my youngest son’s goals of going to Vegas this summer for a Junior Gold Bowling Tournament!
That means spending 4 days a week in bowling alleys,
two days of leagues and two days with coaches.
This was last year in Detroit for his first Junior Gold Event
I have to say he is the bravest soul I know, as he went and competed after
switching from traditional one handed bowling to two -handed style just 3 months
before the tournament and he was also pretty new to bowling on crazy oil patterns like the pros!
I have learned so much as a bowling mother about this sport!
He has come along way since the Detroit tournament in July.
I feel so blessed to be on this journey with him.
If anyone knows anything about bowling , his new high score is 275 and
his high 3 game series is 691. He has a goal to reach 700 series soon.
Now, I will end with a bunch of outfits I have worn this season,
I definitely am loving kimonos , lol
I wanted to add femininity to my football style, lol
Our movie theater showed games this year and I happened
to park next to this vehicle so had to get a photo.
I added this zebra print cardigan for Fall from Loft,
as you know I love black and white prints as they are
so versatile and can be paired with any color.
I added in some Carmel colors this season with this poncho and top.
Fuchsia has to be one of my favorite colors and I love it with Navy.
My snakeskin booties are new for the season and I love them!
You can’t tell but these jeans are by my favorite designer
Diane Gilman via HSN and have an embroidered Peacock!
I love vests , longer ones for leatherette leggings are a must.
I joined Get Your Pretty On’s Fall and Winter Challenges and faux leather leggings
were all the rage and a polarizing item that not everyone embraced, but I am daring and love them.
Again my love of black and white prints prompted a purchase of polka dot cardigan.
Black faux leather leggings this time around.
Leopard is another versatile print that goes with everything!
January 15th I celebrated 29 years of marriage, boy have we lived through a lot!
Us now, enjoying our love of football despite different teams!
Gratitude
I am so grateful to have moved past the worst of the mourning stage, losing my sister was tough stuff, as so much of who I am is because of who she was…
I am grateful that my oldest found a way to honor my sister’s legacy by embracing her
“Work Hard, Play Harder“ way of life and he is now doing Improv and embracing his innate artistic ability!
I am grateful for a fun night going to see “ A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood “ with that poignant moment of Mr Rogers asking “Who loved you into being”. I seriously thought of 25 people right away !
I am grateful for my Movie B_ uddy and the days we go out to break up my time at bowling alleys!
I am grateful for my New Years resolution to spend one day a month with my dearest friend who is busier than I am supporting her daughter in dance and acting in plays.
Please comment and let me know you are here!
Your comments are my only payment for the effort of blogging.
Share a Gratitude of your own, choose a favorite look , or tell me something keeping you busy these days.
Next up : WEIGHT LOSS Wednesdays where I share my current journey!
October Style- Pink for Awareness
Posted on: October 4, 2018
- In: Boho Outfits | Burgundy | Fall Fashion Colors | florals | Gratitude | Mom On the Go | pink | prints
- 2 Comments
As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
so I had to include this as a prompt.
sweater- loft , /pants-lisa rinna ,/ shoes-earth, /purse-dooney &bourke
I was really faking Fall today as even This lightweight sweater was hot.
The sweater is a new clearance purchase from Loft and was called lavender,
but reads more pink to me…
I love these pull-on pants and they are a great weight for Fall-winter,
but their is one drawback to pull on pants.
You cannot faux tuck in a shirt, especially with the high waist.
If I wasn’t wearing the long necklace,
I would have added a belt to define my waist.
I love vests and this one is one I got wholesale in hopes of selling them ,
if I can ever get up the gumption to sell off my Amelia James inventory,
I never should have gotten into a clothing MLM 6 months after my sister passed on.
This shorter necklace is one my sister made.
I love wearing pieces that she handmade and kept for herself.
It makes me feel close to her and I usually speak to her as
put them on. I just wish she could answer back….
When This showed up in my email from Ann Taylor today,
It immediately made me think of the Pinterest Inspiration
skirt and I thought I would never have paired it with a light
blue sweater. Now I am definitely going to give that a shot!
After all, a light blue sweater is just as versatile as a chambray shirt,
if you think about it, lol
Gratitude
I am so grateful to my daughter and youngest son for pairing up to bake my oldest a Black Forest cake for his birthday, today.. yes my dear friends, I am the mother of a 32-year-old, yikes!
I am grateful for a nice time with three of my four children today and the fun conversation that we hadn’t had Black Forest Cake in years!
I am grateful for a nice chat on the phone with my son away at college and the comfort that he is coming home for a visit this weekend!
I am grateful that my workaholic husband, by coincidence, did not have an appointment til later and was able to at least wish our son a happy birthday in person, lol
Today’s Prompt is Pinterest Inspiration
and I was in a boho mood.
I just wanted a long Flowy light skirt that swishes I walk, lol
This is My Pinterest Inspiration, with Staples like a white tee, and jean jacket
this was easy to put together and I have to say I probably would not
have thought to wear a white tee with my skirt. That is why
using Pinterest Inspiration photos can be so helpful.
A gorgeous breezy day, so perfect for the vibe I was hoping
to channel for the day. I went to a movie and walking at the mall,
my white Sperry Slip-on Sneakers were a perfect way to finish
the outfit and bookend the white top.
I should have gotten a close up of my jewelry while I was wearing it.
but we will have to settle to this version, lol
Gratitude
I am grateful for a fun day with my friend going to a movie and mall shopping.
I am grateful that I found the Forest Green Jeans my daughter had on her Xmas list.
I am grateful for a short walk to the grocery store on this beautiful breezy day!
I am grateful for sunshine and how it lifts my spirit.
I am grateful to my daughter for granting her brother’s wish by backing him a Black Forest Cake for his Birthday today.
October Style- Shirt Dress 2 Ways
Posted on: October 2, 2018
- In: Dresses and Skirts | fall | Fall Fashion Colors | florals | Gratitude | Mom On the Go | Neutrals
- 2 Comments
I searched for a while for a shirt dress and was thinking
about an Old Navy Chambray version, but ultimately my heartstrings
kept pulling me back to this Isaac Mizrahi version.
The Old Navy version didn’t have a belt and did not have buttons
all the way down the dress, as a true shirt dress should.
After seeing this one, the chambray versions just couldn’t measure up!
This subtle floral print is better for my maximal style and
can stand alone without much help or need for accessories to
punch up the look. For this time, I removed the matching belt
it came with and opted for a black one,
but Navy, Green, Yellow, Burgundy, White, Cognac
Would also be good options for the future.
The beauty of a shirt dress is that it can also be worn as a Duster.
I love it here with the white, which is a perfect way for me to
fake Fall when we still have warm weather!
I look forward to styling it with tights and boots for winter
and keep imagining it with a black turtleneck and pants for a duster option.
I also love the roll-tab sleeves, for now, that can be worn as long sleeves for winter.
Come back for Tomorrow’s Look is Pinterest Inspiration and I chose a Boho one,
as what’s better than greeting Hump Day with a long boho skirt.
Gratitude
I am grateful that Fall is here and even if the weather isn’t cooperating,
that at least my son’s Bowling Season has started back up! It is such a supportive and fun community!
It was such fun to see my son bowl a
Clean Game which means no pins were left standing!
I am grateful that my son away at college called to say he is coming home for the weekend!
I am grateful that my children all get along and truly care deeply for each other.
I am grateful for a fun shopping day with my daughter where we got started on Christmas Shopping!
Spring Fever Shopping!
Posted on: March 30, 2018
Dear Readers, I am so ready to get back to blogging regularly at least in spirit…
Once I get my taxes done and get all my products loaded up on Shopify,
a real learning curve with Youtube to guide me, lol
In the meantime, I thought I would pop in and show you my purchases for Spring that arrived today!
Sheryl Crowe has a line on HSN and she has taken things she loves from her closet
and remade them with a twist all her own.
is pricey, but a real show stopper piece that will spice up any outfit and comes in two colors.
You can watch the presentation video to get a better look at this piece and here Cheryl Crowe explain it.
If one Cheryl Crowe Vest is great, how about two!
I am absolutely dancing over the fringe one above!
This Suede one comes in two colors as well.
My boho self adored this sheer top for just $19.95
I sized down to the XS/S on this one and I was right about that!
These Diane Gilman with the stripe caught my eye too!
I think they will be perfect with the Kimono style top, so look out for me to be
wearing those together soon.
With Pink being such a big color for Spring,
Who Could Possibly Pass up these
DG2 Bootcuts for just $14.,95!
And the last purchase is another by Cheryl Crowe,
These also come in tan.
Dear Readers,
One thing I decided recently was that I have a good wardrobe, so pieces I add
must really speak to me and be a bit more special!
I think I hit that goal with these purchases and am set for Spring and Summer!
I look forward to coming back to the blogging world after this long break of mourning and finding my way in the
world without a sister and just two brothers left in my childhood family.… So strange to be the only girl!
I also look forward to getting back to writing out
my daily gratitudes and will start right now!
I am grateful for friends that help me get through this past 16 months!
I am grateful to be feeling like myself and over the 3 weeks, I was sick with the Flu and Vertigo!
I am grateful that I am facing getting my tax stuff complete as the dread is always worse than just doing it!
I am grateful to be back on Weight Watchers and for their new Freestyle Program which is truly the easiest one yet!
I am grateful for three days of Spring-like Temperatures in a row!
I am grateful to have blogging to turn to and regenerate my creative outlet for putting together outfits!
Busy Week!
Posted on: January 25, 2018
- In: Boots | Creating a versatile wardrobe | florals | Gratitude | Green | Mom On the Go | Neutrals | Petite | skinny jeans | Weight Loss | Winter Looks
- Leave a Comment
Wednesday I went to my son’s homeschool bowling, popped home for a quick bowl of plain greek yogurt and peaches for lunch
before heading out to use my Movie Pass for the first time!
$9.95 a month and my first movie was $9.05.
I chose “Forever My Girl”, one of those movies I would love but DH would not, lol
It was a cute story and I adored all the fabulous music throughout.
I wore my Amelia James Olive Aleyska Sweater Again, Lol
It was so tough to see the pictures and my weight gain, but it is my reality
and good for motivation. I feel like so much of myself has been lost these past
14 months of mourning, but am starting to slowly find my way back to being me.
A busy day and weeks means multi-tasking and I did just that…
I was talking on speakerphone to my 22 year old who is in college in Richmond.
I have been wearing these Aerosoles boots a lot lately and am in complete awe of their comfort.
I bought them last season , but did not wear them much and was disappointed to not find them still available for sale….
I am thinking next season I may need to stalk another pair of comfortable wedge version…
Follow this week to join my page and join me for a night of fun!
I am in a bit of a pickle with starting this business to soon after my sister passed and am trying to get myself
out of it, I have joined a group to learn more about Social Media for businesses and am having a clearance of
winter items tomorrow at 7:30 pm EST to see if I can sell of the winter items and not be stuck with that inventory
while I work on building my following to have better success in Spring and Summer!
Join me and share with friends, to help me sell these and generate funds to keep going with new fresh inventory.
Gratitude
I am grateful for the time spent with my youngest and his bowling.
I am grateful for my dearest friend giving me such a glowing review and asking her friends to support my business.
I am grateful for all the online supportive women in business who all support each other.
I am grateful that when my husband came home late last night with a friend from out of town to spend the night,
that I slept right through , their apparent loud talking that my children heard….
A Good Start to the Week!
Posted on: January 22, 2018
- Monday’s can be difficult, especially when you are trying to get yourself out of a funk.
- A solid Determination is Key and that was how I began my day!
I had trouble falling asleep last night ( my sleep has been off for a week), but I managed to sleep until 10am, resulting in a good night’s rest!
Music is such a mood booster for me, so I began by turning on my sister’s Ipod, that girl had great taste in music!
I got some work things done, then got ready to go get my nails done.
I had been hibernating and fighting off sinus issues ( thank goodness I succeeded and it never got bad) ,
and had neglected my nails since before Christmas!
The other Key to my self-care of the day was that to get to the salon, I walked, hence my Sketchers for a shoe choice.
It was a beautiful day in the 60’s and a bit windy, hence my flat hair in this shot, lol.
I am wearing an Amelia James Aurora dress/ tunic, it actually goes to my knee like a dress.
I really love it and think it is such a versatile piece because it is a sleeveless dress that
can be worn layered, making it a full four- season piece.
I only have one more left in my stock, a size 2X if anyone is interested.
It comes in solid shades and I hope to order a few of those soon.
My sweater is also from my AJ line and I have it in sizes
XS, M, L, XL and 3X, comment if you’d like one.
They retail for $50 ,but I am selling them for $35 now.
Gratitude
I am grateful that my son’s financial aid came through before the government shut down allowing him a peaceful weekend.
I am grateful that I finally got my nails, done they were driving me nuts and I am sure my DH will be happy to stop hearing about it, lol
I am grateful for a decent amount of sleep as last week it suddenly went haywire!
I am grateful for my parents, as today a group I belong to posted how emotions were dealt with in family growing up and I was the only one
who commented in a positive way… You see my mother was so funny, she told us that when she said No, we could plead our case and sometimes she might
change her mind, but others she would remain firm, but would always explain her reason. She had telling us No in a compassionate way down to perfection!
I can’t imagine what losing my father at 13 would have been like if our emotions were something that was allowed!
I was truly blessed to feel seen heard and valued as a child!
So that begs the question my dear readers, how was your family regarding expressing emotions?
And, if you get in a funk, what do you do to help get yourself out of it?
- In: Boho Outfits | Creating a versatile wardrobe | Gratitude | Homeschooling | Mom On the Go | Navy | shoes | Trends
- 1 Comment
One of the biggest trends for the season is fun sleeve details.
A boho lover like myself is tickled about the bell sleeves and imagine my delight
when my new venture as an Independent Rep for Amelia James came out
with a cute bell sleeve top. I actually got to see the first one in person on my trip to
San Diego in October for our first Rep Retreat.
My first attempt at taking photos with daylights savings time in place, lol
We are experiencing beautiful 60 degree days after lows in the 30’s at night.
Even in the shade you can see the fun bell sleeve on the Memlo top by Amelia James.
I love the colored leaves, goes nicely with my hair…
I am also debuting my newest open wrap, this one is by Harve Bernard
I like the hi-low color contrast of the Menlo top with the navy in the wrap and the jeans.
Doing that contrasting of one color is such an easy formula for putting outfits together and one I use often.
You can’t wear a bell sleeve top( I am wearing a medium) and resist the urge to spread your arms out,
my photographer had to deal with my putting my awesome snakeskin purse down,
to pretend to fly, but alas the photos were not great….
Notice how my snakeskin purse brings out the shades of tan in the wrap,
and I intended to wear tan ankle boots with the look originally, which would have bookended it all.
Instead, I opted for my Naturalizer navy wedges, as soon enough,
winter will arrive and my boots will be my only option, lol
I adore the comfort of wedges and will opt for more of these classics in the future.
These striped versions of the Menlo top are currently available, they retail for $50 ,
but for are currently on sale for $38 and available in Medium6/8 (2) and Large10/12.
I do not have a website yet ,as my company is so new that they are getting one together in the new year,
and I did not want to do the work of one and have to re-do it. So, if you want one just email me @KTstylists@gmail.com
just let me know Menlo – Striped, and Size and I will send a Paypal Invoice and ship immediately.
The Blue option I have in Sizes Small2-4, Medium6/8, Large 10/12 and X-Large14/16.
Again, Reduced to $38 -email me Size & Blue Menlo @KTStylists@gmail.com
Gratitude
I am grateful to be back to blogging and the fun feeling I had today putting together this outfit and taking photos.
I am grateful that I took the time to mourn the loss of my sister, not that I am done, but I am ready to start living fully again.
I am grateful that my daughter is helping get my homeschooling son ready to take his first CLEP test for Biology.
I am grateful for some warm days, tomorrow will be 70!
Thanks for Stopping By!
I love our homeschool bowling on Wednesday, but dressing for it is always about keeping warm!
The bowlers are moving so they are fine, but us mother’s who watch are another story.
It is so funny to head out the door with my son in shorts and short sleeves and myself always in pants, short sleeves and a cardigan or jacket in my hand.
My tunic is actually one from the Amelia James line I sell.
I have a huge wardrobe and won’t wear my line every day on the blog,
but quite frankly I really love these new pieces so darn much!
Every woman should own a great pair of boot-cut jeans and these are ones,
that I must wear with 3-4 inch heels, are a girl’s best friend.
If you read my blog, you probably already guessed that these are by
I belted this Milan ( all of our Amelia James pieces are named after cities)
because as a petite I wanted to make my legs look as long as possible.
Proportions is the one thing blogging and taking photos taught me.
This can be worn as a dress as well when unbelted and I intend to style it
with black tights, ankle boots, and a leather jacket when temperatures cooperate.
This may be too short for some women to wear as a dress, but the younger women love it!
I have this $50 Milan in Size Small – 3x if anyone is interested you can email me @ KTStylists@gmail.com and you can check out videos and albums
on my Facebook page to see other Amelia James styles, eventually, I will get a website together.
Gratitude
I am grateful for getting back on track and not craving any sugar these last two days!
I am grateful for homeschool bowling on HUMP DAY to break up the week.
I am grateful my daughter is helping my son study and get ready for CLEP testing for Biology,
I am grateful for this business and the community of supportive women and for finally answering the question,
“What am I going to do when mothering minor children for 31 years comes to an end?”
This weight gain in just a pain and I want to bust out and just conquer this weight loss, but the
struggle of losing weight after menopause is REAL!
Check out the Link-up for other wonderful bloggers
I have been doing some research on the success of intermittent fasting, where you do not have anything for 12-16 hours after your last meal the previous day.
ideally, the goal is to go the 16 hrs for the sceince of it to work. It seems to work well for men, but that always begs the question, will it be the same for women.
I found this article and decided to heed the warning to do it every other day.
After having green tea until 11am. I indulged in my go-to breakfast lately,
Premier Protein Shake poured over ice into a nice glass as food should feel indulgent…
A banana every morning is my thing and has been most of my adult life.
Around 2:30pm I opted for a full cup of plain greek yogurt with strawberries
Rocking the protein and fruit for the day, but definitely, need to bump up some
vegetables for snack and dinner.
Still near 80’s for us here in Virginia Beach!
Styling one of my Amelia James Memphis Ruffle tops in burgundy with a black stripe.
I love how figure flattering this top is and that I can style it for my boho loving self by adding a wonderful
crotchet vest by Indigo Thread Company . Lots of other options to style this with layers if our weather ever gets cooler!
I have this wonderful top in several colors and sizes up to 4x,
you can see them on my latest live sale video on my Facebook Page.
Eventually I will get a shopping website, but for now you just claim it under the video by using the number and size
and I can send you an invoice via paypal.
Gratitude
I am grateful for my new found vigor and zest for getting this weight loss journey moving!
I am grateful for my sister’s Ipod Music to start me dancing in the mornings.
I am grateful for the fun of reading , ” A Gentleman in Moscow” with my teen age homeschooler.
I am grateful for this blog to turn to and for making me get dressed today instead of staying in my pj’s.
Versatile Style by Tracey 