Versatile Style by Tracey

My Dear Readers, as most of you know I just survived a total year of mourning hell when my healthy ,vibrant sister suddenly passed on last November.  I am through the worst of it , but every time I say I am getting back on track, I get thrown for a loop and just can’t put it together. 

Not Anymore, this time I mean it! 

I am back on Weight Watchers and  Started with coaching for my Amelia James Business.   

Bookending my Amelia James Memphis Ruffle Top With

My new for the season,

Isaac Mizraahi burgundy flat ankle boots.  

I am also wearing my much coveted Isaac Mizraahi leather jacket, that one piece I waited years to discover! 

We had snow two days ago and it has mostly melted, unlike the foot the week before that stayed around and caused chaos for this unprepared southern region. 

We are in the 50’s today, but last time we hung onto freezing temperatures, so our normal wait a day and it will begin to work was not happening. Public School kids now have I think 7 makeup days! 

Taking off the jacket to get real about my weight gain 

and have before pictures,lol! 

Just kidding, just showing my Amelia James Top, Available in all sizes Small -3X . 

If you haven’t already joined my Amelia James Facebook group page where I post pictures of items to sell and do live videos, please join me Here

Have a wonderful weekend, will start my Graitude Journal again Monday. I miss that and know it does wonders for me! 

I apologize for such sporadic blog posting.  

I can not believe that we are coming up on the year anniversary of my sister’s

passing and the emotions that have erupted in full force again…

The Toughest Loss of my life and this year has seemed to literally have flown by! 

With the Holidays around the Corner, I thought I would just do a fun post on some of my favorite things.  

I have always highly recommended that every woman needs a long necklace or 

two as they are perfect for adding a vertical line and somewhere for the eye to go.

This Joan Rivers Tassle one is perfection in my humble opinion 

It comes in both silver and gold and is a nice substantial piece, I must say for plus size women,

this bolder more substantial version is a definite must-have!  

I thought I would add something for Men here and these Muk Luk Compression arch socks

for just $15 are an easy crowd pleaser.  

If you haven’t tried compression arch socks, you most certainly should make that on your list too! 

Sometimes we tend to forget those small luxury pieces like a wonderful leather cord tie belt.

This  Halston one is just $14.76 and comes in 3 colors and sizes.  

I own it in black and have to say that I use it quite often and can not even begin to describe how much I love it!  

Last month I took a trip to San Diego and unbeknownst to me, the airline tickets 

an associate bought for me, was so basic you did not get a carry-on , just an underneath the

seat personal item.   I went searching and fell in love with this set and they were perfect. 

Watch the video to see all the features on this Lug Puddle Jumper .  

This Halston Navy Bomber Jaceket is one I bought in March and have worn so many times already. 

A true work horse, so comfy , yet adds a fun sporty touch which is still running strong. 

Good News is it is on Clearance at $34.98  

Every woman should own a jean jacket or some kind of casual jacket to throw over dresses to make

them more versatile and enable them to be worn for several seasons and these fabulous pins are a perfect

way to spruce up a jacket.  Don’t wait on these as they are on clearance for just $9.99 and come in three sets .

Embroidery is everywhere on trend right now and these 

Vince Camuto Kassie boots are to die for fun!   

I have worn these twice already (our temps have had a peak of Fall but not much more) and 

1. they really are such a fun twist to my love of boots.   

One Last item for the traveler and this neat one works for both men and women. 

It is on clearance now , so only available in black, but I bought the black for my husband and

purple for myself.  These hold all your toiletries items in individual zippered bags that roll up into this case. 

We both agreed that this has been that missing piece in our travel adventures !  

Dear Readers, Remember I make no money off recommending these items and have no relationship other than a customer who 

truly adored the items I have posted here.   

I do have a wonderful Clothing Boutique with Amelia James Clothing I have started 

and am just really starting to get motivated to work as I started too soon after my sister’s passing 

and should have waited!  I am even selling Gift Certificates!  

You Can Check out my Faceboook Page and look for me to do some

live sales next week and put up some pictures of items as well. 

Just message me there and I PayPal Invoice using your email address, 

I can answer any questions on fit and sizing too.   

This Camden Dress is one of our newest items and so flattering!  

Jazzed up with a necklace and an Obi belt with pretty Gold Sandals is 

how I plan to wear it for a holiday party, but shhh don’t tell anyone it is super soft, feels 

like wearing a comfortable nightgown and you have to love a dress with pockets!  

I recently got back from an Amelia James company retreat in San Diego

and am facing some darn really hard truths…

This is me meeting the owner of the company and doing my thing of offering encouragement,   she told me I almost made her cry, lol….

I am so good at taking care of others, but seeing pictures from this trip I can see my weight gain and how I have not been taking care of myself.  

I don’t just mean the weight gain,  I have not been sleeping well, I have not really launched this business I feel so passionate about.    

Today, I was so focused and ready to change that, by doing a Pop-up shop in my front yard since I live on a busy road going into my neighborhood, but alas

mother nature mocked my enthusiasm and sent me scurrying back inside and forgetting that plan…. 

It was just way too windy and after some clothes flew off the rack and broke my hangers, I had no choice but to abandon my plans.  

The Coo of the company on the left and new Director of Sales on the right.  

The Director of Sales heard my comments to the company founder and pulled me aside immediately afterward, 

telling me “That was Great!  Take a picture with us!”   What a boost for my damaged soul these last months!   

All we want as humans in this life is to be seen, valued and understood! 

The final event of the retreat was the three top people in the company taking the stage to answer questions we had been putting in the box all weekend. 

Imagine my delight when my question was picked and cheered by the room of reps!   

I sat down at the computer to write this post and reliving those moments was good for my wounded soul. 

Some days are harder than others and today was just one of those tough ones. 

I am just putting so much pressure on myself to get this business launched, after realizing that I had tried to start this

too soon in the mourning process.   I am in a much better place now, but just feel so much pressure to fly with this new venture as

there is the added importance and value of spending my sister’s life insurance to start it…. 

I am looking forward to boxes in the next week or two with new inventory including this outfit… 

The delightful part is that I love the clothing line and am passionate about wanting women to get their hands on the pieces to

fall in love with the comfort and styles.  I came home from San Diego and booked 4 vendor events to do just that and just need to be patient.

I am normally a patient person, but this venture is testing me in a way stronger than I can recall before, unless of course, you count the last month of

pregnancy when every woman becomes impatient.  

Dear Readers, Just working through my funk and writing a blog post seemed better than stuffing my face, which is what I have been doing lately…

When I voice it out loud, I am committed to getting back on track and making self-care a top priority!  Will head back to Weight 

Watchers next week, meeting tomorrow, but it was an early day and is now after 11pm, so sleep is more important. 

Back to eating right and working out in the morning!  Thank you for being my sounding board!  Back with outfit posts soon!  

.  

Dear Readers,

   A lot has been going on these last few months as the mourning process continues.  

The loss of my sister with no warning has been a huge blow to us  all, but at least I have reached 

a stage where I can speak of her or of this loss without crying every single time.  

I am starting a new chapter in my life due to the life insurance.  

There really is this sense of huge responsibility to make wise , thoughtful decisions around spending this and 

I am confident that my choice to start a business would make Kelley very happy.  

You see, I had a Consignment Store back in 2003 and Kelley was my biggest supporter 

and cheerleader.  She told me so much how proud she was and how brave I was to do it.

My Business is an Independent Rep for Amelia James Clothing Boutique, which features

Quality , Comfortable, Affordable Clothing mostly made in USA and moving to everything made in USA in sizes XS-4X

.

I was so inspired to join this journey from seeing the success of Lularoe,

but as a fashion blogger the leggings in crazy patterns and tops and dresses 

that didn’t show you collarbone really rubbed me the wrong way after I got duped 

into a fundraiser where I bought two dresses.  

I began seeing so many women wearing the styles everywhere I went and was cringing a lot!

This top pictured above is by Amelia James and is Called the Sydney, I have to say I am in love

and want it in every color!  It is mostly made of modal which is so soft.  

You can Check out my Facebook group  and Live Video where I un-boxed this and a few other styles last week.

I don’t have these tops yet, but hope to eventually.

I love it so much and when your 17 year old photographer son looks at you in this pose and says 

“You look thinner in that top!”  I knew I have to get more, lol 

Since Amelia James just began in February there are growing pains

and so far getting inventory is the biggest issue.  

They have however found a solution and I will be able to Pre-order in

styles, colors, patterns and sizes of my choice.  It will take 6 weeks to arrive but 

my kit is about a month away, so the timing will be fine.  

I will be having other smaller amounts of inventory trickling in every week or so.

Here I am wearing a Sydney top and Palazzo pants ( both in stock now).

I am also wearing new necklaces I am selling as well, that fit my desire for 

versatility as they have removable snaps and you can change them out to 

with the addition of new snaps.  

Readers, I am going Live Friday in my Facebook Group, so please join me 

and like my page.  I am just a few people away from the 50 I need to give away 

two necklaces , so if you like the page, you will be entered to win!  

Gratitude

I am grateful that my dear friend has agreed to be my partner in this new business venture!  

I am grateful that I found a clothing line I believe in with a founder who wants to offer trendier pieces.

I am grateful that this week I had time with my niece as it’s Summer and she is with me every other week during the day!  

I am grateful that my husband and children are supportive and a huge help in getting my dining room ready for a home boutique.  

May I also ask for a prayer request for my 21 year old Nicholas who is at Marine Officer Candidate School feeling out what he wants to do after college and 

due to the medical staff on the hike who ignored him , he has terrible blisters all over his entire bottoms of both feet.  I am out of touch with him until the weekend

and feeling so distraught after hearing his voice and his pain.   

With the emotions of finishing up going through my sister’s condo, 

I am failing to stay on track with eating right and exercising, 

So today I decided I needed a solution!  

Source

I have 184 days until I embark on my second annual Girls Only Cruise with a few friends, 

and I want to be ready and feeling vibrant and wonderful.   

Source

Two weeks prior to my cruise I am going to Walk in my first 1/2 marathon 

to honor my sister , Kelley who did a few every year!   

I have had success in the past with WW after the birth of my youngest and again after my mother passed on when I gained as her caregiver.   It stands to reason that having had 2 successes with this program I should stick with what has worked in the past, because I certainly need the support and accountability of weighting in… 

So wish me luck my Dear Readers, as I have accepted that I do not succeed with out this kind or program , 

and get real about losing this weight and getting my body back to healthy!   

Dear Readers, I got back to exercising for just two days when

I started having back spasms and pains…

I used my down time wisely, and fast forwarded through the seasons of Offsprings on Netflix  

I took a lot of photos to showcase why I fell so hard for the style of the character, 

Nina Proudman.  

A blurry shot , but the elements are a maxi skirt with an open weave sweater and tank top underneath

and a pair of boots to complete the look.  Maxi skirts or dresses with boots is a very common theme in her style. 

This is another maxi skirt look, but not a full view as it wasn’t always possible to get a picture in the show. 

A denim jacket with these big cuffs and a solid tank , belted is another theme.  

This is a purple floral maxi skirt. 

Another common thing is the choice of a black tank quite often. 

She also wears belts a lot more then my menopausal body will tolerate, but 

with weight loss I hope to get back to belting more.  

Notice to the length of a lot of her jackets right at the waist.  

These short lightweight toppers are common too, have not found where 

I could get my hands on some of these , but would love to for my petite height.  

This and the next two are all paired with jeans and knee high boots.  

I love the detail in a lot of her tops and toppers. 

You can’t tell very well, but this has beautiful pintucking.  

Another shorter sheer jacket , but this one has embroidery.  

I have a mint kimono with a tie waist I bought last year, that 

I hadn’t thought to pair with a black tank. but love the contrast here. 

Again, the details of the crotchet in both the topper and tank top 

are very appealing to me.  I loved all her white tops and toppers. 

One thing I myself am short on…

Nothing easier than a printed tunic over jeans. 

I am looking for this style for Spring and can see this tunic over soft pants.

or ankle pants with a pair of wedges.   

This floral kimono again paired with a black tank top. 

I like that her style evolved over the seasons beginning with her 

wearing these cognac boots a lot, then adding in a pair of blue ones 

and finally a pair of green ones.  

I also like that she would wear pieces over again paired up differently.

I love the vibrancy of this topper and the fact that it’s not a solid. 

Towards the fifth season she began adding in a few pairs of 

printed soft pants with ankle boots.  

She also wore a few pairs of culottes as another bottom option.  

For more Nina Proudman Style  I found around the web, 

head to my Pinterest Board where  you can also see some kimono toppers I’ve ordered from ebay and other places.

My Back is a bit better today, so hoping tomorrow that continues. The worse time is trying to sleep and not getting enough as I feel pain with every shift in the bed and it awakens me often during the night.   

We are still “snowed in: as the temperatures have been in the teens at night, 

a true rarity in a place that barely goes below freezing. 

The roads are thick sheets of ice , schools are closed as are lots of businesses.  

So I thought I would share with you my sister’s jewelry, 

she’s been making it for years and use to ask my daughter’s dress colors and bring 

her one specially made for each event.  

She loved Swarovski crystals and sterling silver, these are both clear but reflect colors areound them and the walls in the room were yellow.  These were ones she began making a few years ago and sold at Christmas.  My niece and daughter each have two as well, we all have the oval shaped one on the left , but while I have a seashell, my daughter has a star and my niece chose a snowflake.  

This all silver seashell one was one of her earlier works and one she wore quite regularly. 

It was the first thing I went in search of , as I wanted to wear it to her memorial service, 

to give me strength to speak.  It is my favorite and the most dear to me because of how many 

times I noticed her wearing it.  

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These two are also earlier pieces and are knotted on string.  

The pink and blue on was one I picked out of her inventory she brought over one Christmas and asked which one I wanted. 

Starfish are very big among her line of jewelry and she named her company, 

“Joyful Jems”  

She did this sea glass, pearl and swarovski crystal one in several colors. 

My niece chose one in burgundy, while my daughter who is a more minimal dresser didn’t opt for one, so

I have one in blue as well.  

She even had the star in glass beads as well.  

So don’t be surprised if I wear the star ones quite often. 

That is actually a good thing as back in 2003 when I went to New York to 

buy jewelry for my Consignment store, I had picked out what I called , 

a ‘wanky star”  and chose a chain that was measured and made for me in sterling 

silver and wore that thing as my signature piece almost daily.  

Unfortunately, it somehow broke and slipped of my neck somewhere a few years ago and

I literally mourned the loss. I find it quite poetic that my sister has left me ‘wanky stars ” in 

several options.   

These creme options are very prevalent  part of her line, and I adore the turtle version..  

Those  green beads are quite beautiful , she even managed to  sneak in a few Swarovski crystals ,

This one with beautiful fine stones was a direction she had wanted to take, but 

found hard to sell and price to recoup  the cost of the beads and show others their value ,

so she changed directions. ‘Like most of the ones I’ve pictured, this is one she wore and loved.  

This was the surprise piece I found with the tassel she made. 

It’s classic her with the the pearls, but a bit different with the butterfly 

and I can’t help but wonder if she made this one after I told her 

that Mom came to me in butterflies on my 45th birthday and every time I took walks. 

A special one , I will definitely cherish.  

Dear Readers, it is such a comfort to have her jewelry

and to share them with my daughter and niece. I’d like 

to see if I have earrings to pass on to several of her friends,

but am so worried that I will miss somebody important.  

When it snows in Virginia Beach, 

It’s a big deal and everyone gets excited.  

The day before the storm I took a walk to the store as I knew I’d be 

in hibernation mode as I am not a snow person.  When I went , I didn’t need 

essentials , so got our traditional snow day treat for making s’mores in the fireplace. 

It was so funny watching the harried and frantic shoppers grabbing milk, bread, soda , chips

and alcohol.   What made it funnier was seeing the faces on the shoppers who peeked at my cart, lol 

The view from my front porch 

Penelope exploring snow for the first time. 

My son home from college is the photographer of the snow pictures .

The cloudy day made for some great pictures of the contrast of snow and trees. 

 Dear Readers, Sorry still no pictures of myself, but then again I stayed in Pj’s nursing  a headache 

and sneezing, this thing has been hanging on for two weeks, I feel better then it comes back…

I have several outfits paired up ready in my closet for as soon as I am feeling better!

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend, I’ll be spending Sunday watching my Steelers play off game. 
  

I thought it would be fun to do a list of my favorite things that I use on a regular 

basis and wouldn’t change even if I became a millionaire, lol 

1. No Shampoo for me, I am a Wen Girl 

I get mine on Auto Delivery from QVC 

I have used this for 7yrs and just recently spent the night in a local hotel for my

husband’s company party and forgot my Wen and used the shampoo provided by the hotel. 

I literally cried as I felt the moisture all get sucked out of my hair and that disgusting feeling of straw 

before you put conditioner in.  Never again I will always have my beloved Wen with me. 

I must be responsible and say there is a lawsuit from some saying they are having bad reactions, but I have several friends who use the product and like me they will never go back to shampoo.  

2.       Next up is Josie Maron Argan oil, it’s all I use to hydrate my face, neck and hands .

I’ve used this about as long as the Wen, prior to that I used avon products for 1oyrs and before that Oil of Olay. 

I adore this and get it on QVC as well, this bottle lasts me 4-5 months. 

You can also find her products at Sephora, I use her foundation too and in a pinch bought it there. 

 3                     Lancome Color design eye shadow 

I have only been using this for a few weeks as I found new ones 

in my sister’s make up bag.   My brown eyes have never been so bright as when I use this. 

I’ve always worn purples , but there really was something incredible about this palette. 

 4.                    I bought a similar Caj beauty dryer brush last Christmas as an 

upgrade from the drug store one I used for years and their really is no comparison . 

I use this every single day , unless I am doing the beach wave look with sea salt spray. 

My daughter has this as well and is just as crazy about it as I am. 

 5                    Next up is Diane Gilman Jeans, I can’t even pick one to picture and feature as 

I have so many pairs and love them all.  When I first saw her on HSN and she talked about 

having customers who collect her jeans, I thought that was a bit nuts, well call me nuts because 

I get new ones every season and refuse to count them as it may lead to a divorce, lol 

6                  Better Brella which inverts so the dripping outside is contained. 

And yes My Dear Readers, I have the leopard one as it was the perfect choice to go with 

my three trenches in red, black and tan.  

7.             I am just starting to dabble with aromatherapy and began with a necklace, 

but graduated to a diffuser for Christmas. 

I love that this one cycles through several colors, each more beautiful than the last. 

8           Himalayan Salt Lamps a set for just $39.95

I got these because they are recommended for allergy suffers  but when reading 

they sounded amazing.  I have slept for 7-8 hours almost every night since i put this in my room. 

I have one in the den too and it is such a soothing glow of light that i would have to agree that it helps with

depression.  If it offers comfort to me during this intense stage of mourning it definitely has merit. 

9.                 Verilux Therapy Light 

I love light therapy during the winter months when I don’t go out walking as much 

since I have exercise induced asthma and cold air is the most aggravating.  

10                                 Nano Sponge

These are fabulous, cleans with just water and can be machine washed or 

put through a dishwasher cycle.   This is definitely a premium sponge unlike ones I have used in the past. 

11.             Cook’s Essential Air Fryer via QVC 

 I have this smaller version but they also sell a bigger one

that I wish I had gotten since I have a large family.

It doesn’t just fry it bakes, roasts, steams , toasts etc .

My husband was never fond of a microwave , and hasn’t pulled out

the toaster oven since this came into our kitchen.

Dear Readers, I probably should have done this list before the holidays, but alas I was in no condition to think about such things.  After dealing with the loss of mu father at just 13 and my mother 6yrs ago, this is far worse, a sentiment shared by mu brothers.  I hate the entire idea of being the only girl left with two brothers. Just typing this makes me cringe. 

I am doing better as the shock of it is beginning to wear off.  In fact Monday (today) I am beginning 

a quite drastic 900 calorie diet for 10 days to kick this carb addiction that has swept over me with 

a ferocious hold over me that I can’t seem to shake.   I feel like an addict who just can’t get enough.

I need to quit cold turkey ans since I want to lose weight anyway I am starting with something I never thought

I would attempt, I have never attempted to lose weight to this extent, but am looking forward to giving it ago. I needed something very simple and that wouldn’t take much thought to execute.  

Wish me luck as I dislike oatmeal , but plan to save one apple a day to chop up and bake with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger. I tried just the baked apple part last night and loved it!