Versatile Style by Tracey

Archive for the ‘Winter Looks’ Category

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!

 

 

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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… 

My Facebook Amelia James Page

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….

 

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!  

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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) 

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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. 

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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… 

The Brooch is coming back into Style, 

and I’ve worn a few of my mothers on a necklace and on my boho w

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I felt like a Zen neutral look for the day… 

It’s still has enough interest for me with the hi-low contrast of the different shades of tan and brown

and the subtle print in the Old Navy sweater and the Snakeskin bag. 

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A close up of my mother’s pin. 

I love having her pieces to cherish and wear , not to just keep in my jewelry box. 

Check out JodiesTouchofStyle blog for ways they are wearing brooches this week. 

I’ve wanted a Joan Rivers Bee Brooch for a long time and finally caved in buying one this week, when I saw this one on Instagram as a memorial one for Joan. 

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I am so glad I found this open poncho on Jane.com,

as it’s become a favorite this season. 

I really need to taper off my addiction of looking at Jane.com daily as I see 

so many things I love and the pressure to buy since they go away or sell out so quickly. 

I’ve recently bought some tops for Summer in Yellow, Coral and Light Blue (Serenity, Pantone’s color of the Year) 

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Self Care

I am proud to say it’s day four of owning my Aeropilates and I’ve used it everyday. 

I am actually looking forward to it daily, as one of my goals was to have a strong back and abs to help with my sciatica, 

and these workouts definitely are going to strengthen those areas.  

In addition, upon the recommendation of a friend who has had success with this, 

I began adding Collagen  to help with joint pain I was having in my knee and hip, but also to help with my nails , which have always broken due to housework, lol.   

Dear Readers , What are you doing lately for Self Care?  Wishing you a wonderful weekend with something fun on you to do list to recharge you to face another week!  

Gratitude

I am grateful that my homeschooler took the initiative to take out my Aeropilates machine in between his subjects today to do a workout, which prompted me to do mine as well.  I think I still may do one at my regular evening time frame for two for the day! 

I am grateful that my daughter handled her rejection letter for PHD program at Boston College well, she loves the Boston area and really wanted to stay longer, but she immediately said that she didn’t like the actual school or program, so it’s really for the best. 

I am grateful that I forced myself to get dressed today, as I was feeling blue and thought about staying in my pj’s. Getting dressed in a boho outfit always lifts my spirits and after seeing the photos it sparked even more joy. 

I am grateful that after getting dressed I took a walk to the grocery store ,which also helped to lift my blue mood and I picked up some healthy snacks of fruits and vegetables!   

Wednesday Is All About Bowling…

It begins with homeschool league and ends with traveling to another city for 

a late afternoon bowling Clinic.  

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I originally planned to wear my black and white poncho with the burgundy leggings. 

It was shorter than I liked with the leggings….

My teal one was laying on the chair in my room as I’d worn it but hadn’t photographed it recently. 

It’s not colors I automatically would have paired together, but I was in the mood for a poncho

and quite frankly I didn’t feel like changing out of the leggings.  

So, a new color combo was born!  

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I already had the black boots on so thought I’d add the necklace to book end 

them and make them work.  

Then it occurred to me that I was wearing double fringe.  

Just for kicks I grabbed my hobo bag as it has a big fringe tassle.  

It doesn’t photograph well here, but trust me it tickled me to have triple fringe 

without it being overkill and look ridiculous.  

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Self Care

Yesterday, when wearing this outfit, I went out to lunch between the bowling events of the day

and I had Jason’s Deli Salad Bar, Chcken Breast and A Fruit Salad bowl.   I was to tired to go home and cook at 6:30 when 

we got home ,so I opted for Special K Protein with bananas.   

In addition, I exercised on my Pilates Machine and am commited to do so 6 days a week for the next 30 days. 

Gratitude

I am grateful that I am not the only one enjoying my new Pilates machine, as my teen son thinks it’s too heavy for me to set up, so has decided he is in charge of unfolding it for me (shh don’t tell him it’s not that heavy especially with the wheels)  and he exercises on it first after setting it up for me…

I am grateful to my son for setting up my Fitbit(replacement one I bought on Ebay after my dropping the original down the sink)  and he even put an app on my phone for me.  

I am grateful for my meat tenderizing hammer ( I  hadn’t had one for a while and got one recently) as it is so fun to pound out chicken breasts for marinating.   Yes, little things make me happy.  

I am grateful that my son had more success yesterday and upped his high score by two more points, can’t wait to see how he does on his Saturday league when he is with the more serious and talented bowlers.  

I am grateful for my friendships and how we support each other, love the givers of the world!  

Today was suppose to be all about 

The Tunic….

I think My Rachel Zoe white faux fur vest ,

stole the show… 

If you haven’t already followed me on Facebook, I am adding links to my buys for Spring and other articles I think may be of interest.  

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I actually bought this vest on clearance over the Summer and it’s 

still available up to size Medium , Here…

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We had lots of rain earlier in the day before the sun peeked out. 

With snow on Sunday night, here we are in the 60’s….

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A trick I use for tunics is to sometimes buy Junior dresses…

This one is actually from F21 and was meant to be a dress for the younger set. 

I noticed long ago , that in most stores if they call it a tunic, they jack up the prices of regular tops, 

so this solution was how I got around it…

Self Care

I had to face a very cold heart breaking fact, that I really struggled to deny…. My fluidity bar workout is not working for me lately…. My knees are not liking that or the jumping I love to do on the exercize trampoline… I hate the treadmill , but thought I could do that or the bicycle since we have both…. That wasn’t very motivating and I wasn’t doing any exercize. I began to get in a funk, wondering what I was going to do , because we all know that finding something that we like enough to repeat often is key to success when it comes to embracing exercize.  

I finally bit the bullet and solved the problem by admitting I needed to buy something else to get me through as I continue this aging process , which in inevitable.  I bought myself this Pilates machine, something I’ve looked at quite often and in fact almost got instead of my ballet bar.  It came today and after putting it together ( it was easy! ) and exercized with it , trying out a bunch of the exercizes and with different levels of the bands.  I loved it and it was so easy on my joints.  I even liked the one standing (weight bearing) for the inner and outer thigh… I may have over done it in my enthusiasm this first day.  

Gratitude

I am grateful for my husband’s support in getting my new Pilates machine. 

I am grateful that my homeschooler carried the 70lb package into the house and helped me put it together. 

I am grateful that not only is this Pilates machine going to be good for me, but that my son and husband can benefit from it as well.

I am grateful that the rain went away and the sun came out today. 

I am grateful that my friend asked me to lunch after bowling tomorrow.  

Today’s Challenge Was to Wear a 

Dress or Skirt…

I thrifted this one ages ago and hadn’t worn it yet.  

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As a woman who fully embraces her femininity ,

I could wear dresses and skirts everyday and be perfectly, delightfully spunky!  

Of course that would be quite silly for my homeschooling Mom life and impractical.  

With only 3 years left with my youngest child, I wonder what’s around the corner 

and if I will find something to do that allows me to wear more dresses and skirts.  

That’s the fantasy anyway!  

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I was attracted to this skirt because I loved the muted greys and blues and the fact that

it is a sheer overlay that just floats when I walk. 

I want to try it with my grey leather and perhaps a denim jacket.  

My striped shirt is thrifted as well, and didn’t look good tucked or untucked it looked frumpy, 

so I knotted it off the to side and even DH saw the difference!  

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It was so fun to sport my faux suede grey boots, I haven’t worn very many heeled boots

this season and have missed them.   

I added a hat and gloves because we are at freezing temperatures and are going lower over the weekend. 

For some of you that’s not a big deal, but for this beach woman it is!  

My daughter joked me on the phone that she was bringing Boston weather with her!  

Self Care

I lost two pounds so far this week and hope to lose at least one more…

Going to be very careful for Valentine’s Day! 

Gratitude

I am grateful for a conversation with my daughter who had her PHD interview that was group style and came out of it pretty proud of her answers.  She doesn’t know if they made her stand out, but she felt like the others were very prententious and she was more herself and down to earth.  Her take away was that it was a learning experience regardless of the outcome.  Makes me proud that something I taught her rubbed off!  

I am grateful that my husband didn’t go to work until 3 today , so had some time to just hang out with my homeschooler and I , he’s been unusually busy this week , so it was a good break. 

I am grateful that after waking up only 4 hours after falling asleep, that I fell back asleep for another two hours!  

I am grateful that my sinus headache responded to medication and left me mobile and active for this day of getting ready for my daughter to come home…..

So naturally that leads to….I am grateful that tonight my daughter will fly home for the weekend and I can hug her tight, talking on the phone, facetiming on her brother’s Iphone is just not the same!  

I am grateful that my daughter loves coming home and misses us too! 

Today’s Challenge was Pinterest Inspiration 

and I had just recently pinned this Jennifer Aniston one.  

 

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I adore her style and have quite often admire outfits on Pinterest.

It’s fun to actually put one together, finally…

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I’ve had this scarf for a few seasons and love it against the all black background. 

If you are regular reader, you may notice I am not much for dressing all over in black.  

I quite often love all black looks but don’t feel like they are me, so having the purple scarf was 

just enough color to still feel like myself.

My Faux leather moto jacket , can be found here in several colors.  

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I could have gone with a black purse, but

why would I when I own this fabulous Joy & Iman one?  

It comes in several colors, but I think this Purple one is incredible!  

One of the easiest ways to bump up a look is in a fabulous handbag and I think 

I have more than made up for my past of not carrying a purse. 

You see as a mother of four who spread her kids out 4 1/2 years apart, 

I carried a diaper bag around for many years and gave up a purse….

My Dear Husband put up with my lipsticks and Id in his pockets

on many a date night back in those days, lol 

Self Care

I think taking double dose of sinus meds and making it out to homeschool bowling counts as self care.

I had spent the past several days with headaches and actually am pinching myself that I had relief today… 

I also planned our next Parent’s Night Out Event and Let me tell you that is definitely self care as we all need those nights

and have come to look forward to it… 

Gratitude

I am beyond grateful that my son got out of his funk today and had a wonderful time bowling today, he even got a better score than he’s had all this season ….

I am grateful that my brother stopped by last night and I got to hug him before he went to coincidentally spend his birthday in Cancun for a work reward trip.  

I am grateful for a phone call with my son away at college and that he talked to his younger brother as well. 

Today I was suppose to be styling a Vest for 

the private challenge….

I tried with this look, but didn’t like it , so took it off and went for a poncho,

they never disappoint this boho loving woman!  

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I tried this with my sherpa vest and fringe congnac booties, but 

didn’t like it, probably because the vest goes out right at the widest part of my

hip and was not at all flattering….

Check out this blog about wearing Navy and Brown, that came to mind when my

first outfit choice wasn’t working and I was standing there in all Navy!  

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I don’t know what it is about a poncho that just makes my heart sing, 

but I could wear one almost daily, but then I’d miss my leather jackets and cardigans,

so alas I change it up and wear them just often enough!  

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I should have taken a close up of my Charming Charlie

fun Paisley necklace that unfortunately is sold out. 

I am upset that somewhere along the way I lost one of my orange hoops that DD gave me , 

fingers crossed I lost it in the house and not on my trip to the grocery store. 

Self Care

Today was a rough day with intense sinus pressure headache the entire day…I am proud to say

that when I made a quick run to the store I resisted my normal “go to” of grabbing a Pepsi Max

and getting back into my caffeine addiction.  

Gratitude

I am grateful for a fun conversation with Facebook friends about Ikea , as I’ve never been and a potential road trip in the near future with possibly 4 of us going.  

I am grateful that my son understood my headache and did his homeschooling and chores without me having to tell him repeatedly, lol… I am grateful that he is a sensitive compassionate young man. 

I am grateful that even not feeling well, that I got dressed and went for a short walk to the store. 

I am grateful that my husband agreed that I should get another Sunlight Lamp as I have been in a funk (I am blaming it on menapause, lol) for two days and my old lamp is broken.   

Today’s Challenge was to wear Anything Leopard

and I knew I wanted to pair it with Burgundy as wearing my 

Creme Boots yesterday , made me want to wear my Burgundy ones today.

Linking up today with Turning Heads Linkup

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I bought the dress from Jane.com and like it , but it is 

definitely one that has to be worn with tights as it has no lining. 

I actually searched amazon for burgundy tights at the beginning of the season…

Gotta love Amazon!   

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I added a pink and gold necklace Charming Charlies necklace to the look , 

another option to accessorize would have been to add a belt and forgo the necklace. 

Leapord Jacket is by Joan Rivers via QVC ,

It’s currently on clearance for just $26 in smaller sizes.

It does run big as I have a 39 inch bust and wear an XS very comfortambly

and can easily button this jacket as it has 

elastic gathering at the waist, a favorite feature of thsi jacket.    

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I think this would make a great Valentine’s Date Night Outfit! 

I definitely styled this look just for the challenge and not for my day

home with my teen homeschooler, lol.  

DH didn’t go to work until 2pm , so he did get a kick out of it .  

When trying to figure out a purse, my son immediately suggested I go with something pink. 

He couldn’t believe I took his suggestion and I swear he stood taller when taking my photos.  

Self Care

I was in a real funk today… Perhaps the lack of sleep…I didn’t let that stop me 

and made the commitment to eat only fruit, veggies and protein today. 

I succeeded in that!  

Gratitude

I am grateful that this morning first thing I had an e-mail from Weight Watchers explaining that they were counting points of fruit and vegetables in smoothies because when blended they don’t offer the same feeling of fullness.  I guess they think you will indulge in more fruit throughout the day so counting it in smoothies will offset that. My smoothie with Chia seeds, green tea and Greek Yogurt along with fruit keeps me full until lunchtime, so still pondering going back to WW. 

I am grateful for a phone call from my brother as he gets ready to leave for a trip to Cancun, lucky guy will be spending his birthday on this work reward trip for all his success.  Nice to share in his joy! 

I am grateful for the anticipation as we  countdown for Thursday Night when my daughter who will  be home. 

I am grateful that I am hearing on the news, that my bimonthly water bill is going to be switching to a smaller bill every month… more convienent for so many.   

I am grateful for the awkward moment when my next door neighbor was walking his dog during my photo shoot, the first time that’s ever happened and made for a good laugh between my photographer and myself!  


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