MeadowTree Perspectives

My Sew Sew Life-Inspired By The Past

Kansas City Fashion Week has come and gone. This is my third post covering those events. Usually, I would have rolled all the styles into one post. However, each of the stylings inspired something extra.

This was the third year Rachelle and I went to the Saturday night runway show. I wore pants each time. I’m not sure why I do that, it just happens. I was even planning to wear a skirt up to one week before but then went for pants, again.

This year, I was inspired by the 1930’s pajama pants. Although, the French started wearing these wide legged pants in the 1920’s, American women didn’t start wearing this style as pure enjoyment until the 30’s. This is probably the first time American women wore pants in a fashion sense. Usually, pants were only worn for practical reasons or to make political statements.

I’ve always thought this pant style was chic. With a bottom leg width of 48 inches, my pants swish, flow and makes me feel so elegant.

I made my pants using Vogue 1168, a design by Donna Karan. Unfortunately, Vogue is not offering Donna Karan designs any longer. But, this pattern is still available across the Internet. The fabric I picked was 100% polyester Peachskin from Joann’s.

Also, I made my Mazarine Blue silk (from Mood Fabrics) blouse using Simplicity 1590. This pattern is a vintage reproduction from the 1940’s and I think the two styles from the different decades go together nicely.

Silk reacts to light more than any fabric I know, which is why I love silk so much. In every photo, the blue looks a different shade, depending on the lighting.

Part of any experience like this is the red carpet, of course.

We always take a Selfie!

I love hand stitching and especially running stitches because I think they elevate a piece. With this blue silk being so dark, I knew that not many people would see my silk thread stitches. But I know they are there. Sometimes that is what counts. I equate it to having an incredible lining for a jacket; if it is seen or not is not important. It’s just your little secret that makes you happy.

If you are a button aficionado, these buttons are Czech glass that I found on eBay.

My still life shows the finer points: the silk thread running stitches, the black silk bow and the metallic surface of the Nine West heels. With these, I think I have reached the height of my “heeliness”. These are the highest I am ever going! It also features one of my Turkish rings, a black pearl double strand bracelet and my Jessica McClintock clutch.

Just a Few looks from the 30’s

I think these pants need to make a major comeback! What do you think?

I realize that not everyone can or wants to sew and so found a pair of pajama pants (or close to) from the Gap for $59. I had a Joanne coupon and my total outlay (including notions) was $31 but I also spent a week making them (on and off).

I actually bought this pattern for the top but never got it made. Maybe some day.

Vogue 1168

I was worried about how this blouse style would look on my figure. I certainly don’t have the type of figure shown on this pattern front (I never do!) but I think it looks fine and I really love this design.

The Painted Accessory

I kept the nails dark and did a double layer mani. The bottom coat is Dazed by Cult Nails (no longer in business). The top glitter coat is Cirque’s Laser Jet from their collection that they did for the Met’s Manus x Machina exhibit.

And the last word about moving the needle.

Those who have followed me for a while know that I believe in the value of even the most rudimentary sewing skills. Being able to hem a garment, sew on a button of mend a seam saves both time and money.

Beginning sewing classes can be found at local fabric stores and online at Craftsy. Craftsy offers classes in quite a few creative areas and even have free classes. A couple of free classes that I have in my class library are Mastering Zipper Techniques and Design Your Own Handbags.

Currently, I am watching Steffani Linceum’s class Pattern Drafting From Ready To Wear. I even have a non sewing class; Focaccia and Flatbreads From Around The World. Craftsy occasionally has sales on their classes. If you get on their mailing list, they will let you know when they are.

That’s all I have for today so…….

I will say adieu.
I will see you next week and in the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore HERE, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Elegance and Mommyhood’s Moda Thursday HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Nancy’s Fashion Style’s Fancy Friday and Rachel’s (Rachel The Hat) The Passion For Fashion Link-up HERE and Style Crone’s Hat Attack HERE.

Photo credit for this week goes to Michael for my photos and me for the rest with the exception of the photos from KCFW. They were found on the KCFW Facebook page.

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A Balancing Act

For me, styling a look is not so different from creating a design. I use many of the same thought processes that I use when creating or teaching art. Elements need to be balanced to create a pleasing coherent composition. Line, color, shape and texture all can be counterpoised to play off each other but at the same time complement. There can be a dominant element and the other elements can be used to support and carry out a theme.

With this introduction, I will talk about my choices made for what I wore to Kansas City Fashion Week’s Friday night fashion show. When I wear my Amina Marie hat, I am creating the dominant element in my design. Many hats have this power. Previously, I showed this hat with an eclectic textured design. This time I was better served with a clean minimal palette.

My base is a vintage 100% lined wool (no label but made in the USA), very simply designed dress. Yes, it was thrifted and was the perfect piece for what I had in mind. Only three other pieces were needed. Each of these pieces have subtle designs of their own, but together they play nicely.

And it has pockets!

My Tahari shoes have three textures and tones: dark grey suede, medium grey reptile-like texture, and black elastic. They were new last year and besides the texture I was attracted to the more pointed toe. I know this toe feature is not going to appeal to everyone but I like variety to choose from.

My clutch also has texture and shade variations that I appreciate. The Leo clutch, because of the star laser cutouts, plays with light and shadow on its surface. The zipper coil edge just makes it more interesting but not overpowering. Rebecca Minkoff has had a lot of fun designing different versions of the Leo. I could see me owning more than one of these beauties.

Kansas City jewelry designer Lilly Dawson created my Quad Link necklace. She creates some beautiful pieces for good value. This chain link piece adds a modern edge to any look. The three different metal tones makes it very versatile. I haven’t tried it, but I think it might make a great bracelet too.

Some textures just can’t be seen from the distance so, again, I have put together a still life. This photo shows off the lush texture of fur felt. It has so much of a softer and thicker texture than the usual wool felt. With this photo, I can also show you why I wanted these booties. Face it, I am a texture loving woman and these just were my version of perfect texture play.

This little guy went with me. He’s small and no one ever really knows he’s there, but I do. He came from my favorite online jewelry maker out of Thailand, Gemsporium (eBay).

Hello, I’m Terri’s tiny little finger jaguar!

Would you like to see some pics from Friday night? I hope so because I have three.

With my favorite milliner, Amina. Amina is wearing one of her new ready to wear hats. As soon as she has her new website up, be assured I will announce it here. She is having her original designs manufactured in New York.

I also wanted to share my two favorite lines from Friday evening.

Asiatica creates garments using vintage and new materials for a unique look. Asiatica mission statement is to create “Japanese inspired, American made-Timeless Clothes For a Worldly Woman”. Although Asiatica has been designing and producing garments in Kansas City since 1977, this was their first appearance at Kansas City Fashion Week. It was an amazing collection.

Michael Drummond (St. Louis and of Project Runway fame) brought it with his amazing surreal nocturnal digital prints of nature. These were amazing. This young man is becoming a bad habit. Again, I brought one of his pieces home with me. If you want to see his designs closer, you will need to go to his Istagram feed.

This brings me to the end. I think today that I sure sounded like an art teacher. It was fun to talk about styling in terms that I have used so often during my lifetime. Frankly, that is how I think when I decide what to wear for a special occasion. I guess you could say I style with design in mind.

That’s all I have for today so…….

I will say adieu.
I will see you next week and in the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore HERE, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Over 50 Feeling 40 Hit Your Style HERE,Rachel’s (Rachel The Hat) The Passion For Fashion Link-up HERE and The Style Crone’s Hat Attack.

Photo credit for this week goes to Michael for my photos and me for the rest with the exception of the photos from KCFW. They were found on the KCFW Facebook page.

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Fall Garden Party

Last Sunday was a perfect Indian Summer day to have a garden party celebrating the beginning of Kansas City Fashion Week. We mingled at the beautiful Van Noy mansion in Kansas City, MO, for brunch and cocktails.

I wore an oval vest that I picked up about four years ago at the Vero Beach Museum of Art in Vero Beach, FL. My sister and I were there to see the Katherine Hepburn: Dress for Stage and Screen exhibit. Afterwards, of course, we had to visit the museum gift shop where I spied this beautiful floral oval vest. Frankly, I was on the fence about getting it but my sister really pushed me into it. I’m glad she did because it is a delight to wear and it is a great piece because it would work with any body shape.

This vest can be worn a few ways. Last Sunday, I chose to close it with a simple safety pin which can’t be seen at all.

Again, I have relied on my black column. My 100% silk pants are old (six years maybe?) Charter Clubs from Macy’s that I altered to reflect my changing taste. Originally, they were very wide-legged and baggy.

The long sleeve layering shell from Chi Chi is the piece that finally made this look possible. I now have two Chi Chi shells (the other color I have is burgundy 3/4 sleeve) and wish they carried a dark brown one.

Now to the ever important accessories. My clutch is a black patent leather by Alfani (eBay). The ring is (as described by the seller): NATURAL EMERALD,CHROME DIOPSIDE,W CZ STERLING 925 SILVER and is from the eBay store Gemsporium out of Thailand. This store is highly rated and their quality is excellent and delivery is within one week. Gemsporium’s jewelry is very popular and you will have to work hard to win a auction. I will also add that this store has an amazing community story.

This bracelet was just in my post last week. I found it in the Kansas City Symphony Guild‘s small pop-up shop that they always have during concert season. The guild’s shop has always been one of my favorite place to shop and I know I’m not alone. There is always a crowd in their small space.

My earrings never show but I do love these Peridot drops which Michael gave me for Christmas. I know they came from an art museum catalogue but not sure which one. I could do a whole article just on gorgeous items from art museum catalogues this season. I just got my Met catalogue this week and, oh wow.

And finally the shoes. They are Nine West (TJ Maxx) and with their lace texture are great when you want to dress up something or add texture to a black outfit.

I felt this necklace deserved a closer look with it’s Druzy Quartz as a focal point. This piece is by a Kansas City designer and I picked it up at the Symphony Guild shop during concert season a couple of years ago. However, I cannot remember the name of the designer. I am going to ask at the next concert if anyone in the guild remembers her name because it is driving me crazy!

The Polished Accessory

This coppery shimmery duochrome beauty was was the one I picked this time. Even as I write this piece, I still have it on. I love duochromes and Rescue Beauty Lounge’s Elvis in the Clouds is certainly a gorgeous one. Unfortunately RBL closed shop about a year ago. You can still find some of their polishes on eBay but at inflated prices.

Snapshots of a Garden Party

From far left and moving clockwise: Sarah Hicks of Noble Native, Jennifer Janesko of Janesko Designs, Ami Beck of Dolyn Bags and Katie Van Luchien of KSquaredKC

Stuart Brown (far left) of Tutor Woodworks discussing the adventures of owning and restoring a historic home, the Van Noy mansion.

It was such a beautiful day but the grass played havoc with heels.

Would You Like a Vest Like This?

Originally, I hadn’t even thought about having a section on how to make this garment. However, when I tried to find some like pieces that were similar on-line, there were none to be found (I only found heavy winter type pieces).

Before I start, let me say that I have not made my own vest yet. I’ve written these instructions after thinking how I would go about making it and I hope they are clear. If there is something that is not clear, please let me know.

This type of vest was very popular on Pinterest a couple of years ago. I am including two links that might be helpful.

- The Sewing Rabbit (a longer oval shaped single layer vest)

Threads Mgazine (very short single layer vest)

After laying my vest out flat, I saw that it was only a simple circle so I set about making a diagram. I think this would be the perfect beginner sewing project and what drama for your effort!

I couldn’t get a view where it didn’t look like an oval but it really is a circle!

My finished vest is a 56″ circle. I would add an extra 1/2″ all the way around for seam allowance.

I have it in the back of my mind to eventually create one from silk. Some silk does come that wide. But most of the time it doesn’t–so really watch the width of any fabric you choose. If my silk was something like 52″ wide, I probably would make my circle smaller and hope the lesser length would look just fine. If the silk was only 45″ (much of it is), I would have to give a big sigh and go on searching.

My favorite online fabric store is Mood Fabrics and they have gorgeous silks, silk blends and silk like fabrics that would look beautiful for this project. And there is plenty of 56″-60″ fabric to be had.

You will need two lengths of fabric that are 1 5/8 (142 cm) yards long. This piece is reversible and I think two coordinated prints would look great.

This diagram is the finished dimensions of the vest. I would add an extra 1/2″ all around for a seam allowance which would make a 57″ circle.

There is a close up below of the arm hole so you can see the shape. My diagram has a slightly more rectangular shape to the armholes. Some of the DIYs I’ve seen just have a slit for the armhole but I think you need more room for the shoulder so I would go with the oval. Also it might be a good idea to draw out a pattern for the armholes on a separate paper and trace them on your circle.

I am very big on cutting a paper pattern, but that is up to you. Back in the day, I would tape together the want ads of the newspaper to get paper large enough. Butcher paper, artists newsprint or freezer paper would be some other options.

After cutting out your fabric pieces, turn the two pieces right sides together and with a 3/8″ seam, sew around the circle, leaving a small opening to turn your vest.

Turn the pieces so the right sides are now showing and press them thoroughly. Pin and base each front and back armholes together (or machine stitch).

Now bind the armholes and you will be done.
The armholes are bound with the same fabric. I would cut strips at least 1″ wide for this. If you can, cut them on the bias. This will let them go around the curves much better.

That’s all I have for today so…….

I will say adieu.
I will see you next week and in the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore HERE, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Nancy’s Style’s Fancy Friday HERE, and Rachel’s (Rachel The Hat) The Passion For Fashion Link-up HERE.

Photo credit for this week goes to Michael for the photos of me. The photos of the garden party and DIY section are by yours truly.

Bohemiam Jeans, Ascot Hat and Good Friends

Have you ever run across something that caught your eye, didn’t get it, but then couldn’t get it out of your mind? That is just what happened to me last week.

It was just a usual girls night out. The five of us got together for one of our catch-up dinner sessions. After eating at Applebees, Diana wanted to go to Cato to pick up some new things for Fall. Of course, we all had to go along for moral support.

She scoped out a pair of jeans that looked Bohemian (or might I say Hippy Dippy?). I fell in love with them, but so did Diana and she was definitely taking them home.

I thought, “I can’t get these jeans because Diana already has them.” That reasoning lasted two days. I went back Saturday, tried them on and brought them home. The flairs are stretch denim and I found that I needed a smaller size than usual.

My favorite design feature about these is the wonderful faded paisley inserts. I did sew up the slits in the knees a little because they were just too symmetrical for my taste.

I finally am getting to wear my necklace from Target-being so heavy, it is a Fall and Winter piece.

The Ascot Hat

I talked my husband Michael into this brown wool Ascot cap by Epoch last year because I liked it so much. He’s only wore it once so it’s my duty to see that it gets use!

The Ascot cap is also known as the Cuffley cap or Lippincott cap. It is a hard molded felt in a rounded shape and has been around since the beginning of the twentieth century.

I don’t have a twin, just having some fun!

About the Other Things

My top, a burgundy Banana Republic dolman sleeve cotton, is thrifted. I saw that neckline and knew it would be great for necklaces.

My shoes are Pikolinos. I’ve had these shoes for about ten years and they are among my favorites. The pattern, color-contrast, comfort and quality are just excellent. I do my best not to over wear them. I just don’t want to wear them out.

My bag is Nanette Lepore and was on my first fashion post back in January. Nanette doesn’t sell bags online anymore, which is a shame, but you can still find some of her designs on eBay.

I just found my new square/circle bangle last weekend at the Kansas City Symphony Guild‘s small pop-up shop that they always have during concert season. The guild’s shop has always been one of my favorite place to shop and I know I’m not alone. There is always a crowd in their small space.

My earrings are very special to me. Michael gave them to me for my 21st birthday.

The necklace was on clearance at Target this summer. I can’t seem to pinpoint what era it reminds me: sort of Deco, but also a little 16th century England. I like it.

I messaged Diana about how she lead me astray on being a copy cat as soon as I got the jeans home, but tempted her with the idea of being on the post with me. She loved the idea and thus, I would now like to introduce my friend Diana. We met at Byrd’s Pecans, a quaint coffee shop and boutique in our home town. Anything pecan is their specialty. For me, it is a pretty dangerous place (Michael and I both love Pecan Pie)!

Partners in crime (for about 25 years now)
The temperature was pretty cool Friday (52º F) morning and we both showed up in vests and hats. Diana is one of my hat converts. She just got tired of watching me have all the fun and found some great hats at Macy’s last month. I knitted my cap from a pattern in
Debbie Stoller’s Stitc’n Bitch Nation

Here’s a quick rundown on what I was wearing on Friday: Boots-Steve Madden, faux fur collar vest-Cripple Creek Ranch Wear from our Farm and Home store (which I have to regularly check out when we pick up feed for our many critters), Top-Willie Smith (thrifted) and vintage silk Poodle scarf (eBay) in lieu of a necklace.

I was quite happy with my Pumpkin Spiced Latte but Diana is a tea drinker and was trying to persuade Jennifer that she needed to add tea to her selection.

If you want to try Bohemian and don’t have a Cato near these can be purchased on-line. Remember to go smaller-$29.99 at Cato

The Polished Accessory

I’ve been wearing this color for a week. It first went with a true red dress with neutral accessories and then with everything else I’ve worn this week. It is a great neutral polish.

This polish is Emerald and Ash’s Desert Tears. Emerald and Ash is another excellent Indie polish company.

I see this color as a pink leaning, taupe crelly base. It’s filled with scattered holo flecks of bright blue micro flakes and a touch of blue shimmer.

Half of the purchase is donated to the Bob Woodruff Foundation in the support of wounded veterans.

The link to Emerald and Ash is HERE. And I will warn you that they make great smelling cuticle oils. It will be hard to leave without one.

I will say adieu for now.
I will see you next week and in the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Judith of Style Crone’s Hat Attack HERE, Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore HERE, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Nancy’s Fashion Style’s Fancy Friday HERE, Over 50 Feeling 40 Hit Your Style HERE and Rachel’s (Rachel The Hat) The Passion For Fashion Link-up HERE.

Photo credit for this week goes to Michael for the photos of me. Jennifer, the owner of Byrd’s was talked into being a impromptu photographer for Diana and I. Thank you Jennifer for being such a good sport.

My New Amina Marie and a Short History of the Fedora

Welcome back!

I am very excited to show my new hat by Amina Marie Millinery. Having one of Amina’s hats has been a dream-come-true ever since I first saw Amina in June of 2015 at a pop-up event at the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City.

A close up of my new hat along with the texture on my wrap. I designed this top in a way that I could show one of my vintage Mother of Pearl belt buckles.

This hat’s design is inspired by the traditional Fedora. Amina and I worked together to make this one just for me. It is a fur felt hat with a 1.75 inch brim and a 5 inch crown, which differs a bit from the traditional Fedora (see research toward end of this post).

Living close to Kansas City, I was able to go in for fittings to make sure it was perfect. Of course, it touts that gorgeous black and creme ribbon band that is an Amina exclusive.

Can you tell I am happy? It was such a joy to work with Amina in planning my hat.

The height of the my hat’s crown was something I chose. I think the extra height makes the look more elegant and (clever girl) it makes me look taller! My hat could have been just a single color but what’s the fun in that?

This is not the first time I have talked about Amina Marie Millinery on this blog. I covered her new studio opening HERE and love the photo I was able to get of her, Heidi Hermann and Whitney Manny during the benefit for Rightfully Sewn during Kansas City Fashion Week last March. HERE.

It was hard to pick what to wear with my new hat. Black and grey is one of my favorite combos. It was important for me to pick something that I designed and made to wear for this first showing. I say “first showing”, because I’m thinking this hat will be on here a few more times.

My wrap is a cape/poncho hybrid that I knitted in what I call the Rows of Many Colors technique. This idea is great for those left-overs in the yarn stash. I don’t know if I am alone in this problem, but when I see just one beautiful skein of yarn at an incredible price it usually comes home with me (I have gotten better mainly because I just don’t look anymore–well not too often).

I have knitted a few pieces in this technique, mainly scarfs and shawls, which can make a dramatic statement depending on the combinations of yarns. If you want to see more of what I have done, please go HERE where I have written an article just about this technique along with basic instructions.

Boot season’s here, finally! So I break out my grey suede Rebecca Minkoffs. This is the third season for these and they get the wear. My daughter Michelle has even borrowed them. I love the detail on the heels.

I ended up using two different bags today because I just couldn’t make up my mind. The small black Urban Oxide cross body has been with me for a dozen years. With its small size and interesting texture, it has always been my go to when I want something modern and manageable. On the other hand, the three tone B Makowsky is just a great statement-but oh is it heavy!

The Loft knitted dress/top was thrifted and that huge belt if from Blue Fly. That sums up the important pieces. Now comes the research that I did on the Fedora.

A Brief History of the Fedora

What I believe could have been the original Fedora as it was in the late 19th Century. This hat is from the Metropolitan Museum of Arts costume collection and was designed by French designer Mme. Mandel in 1885. I found it in their archives HERE.

In 1882, the French playwright Sardou wrote the play Fédora about the Russian princess, Fédora Romanoff. The title role went to the premier American actress of the time, Sarah Bernhardt.

Sarah Bernhardt

In the play, Ms. Bernhardt sported a new hat design, a soft brimmed hat with a center crease. If the nineteenth century had a red carpet celebrity list, Sarah Bernhardt would had been at the top. Her new hat, the Fedora, soon became popular with women.

Sarah Bernhardt playing Russian princess, Fédora Romanoff in
Fédora, however not wearing what I consider a Fedora

Men followed the trend around 1924, after Prince Edward of Britain added the Fedora to his wardrobe. As the cliché says, the rest is history.

Prince Edward VIII sporting a Fedora.

The Fedora quickly rose to the top of the ranks as far as men’s headgear and as the photos show below it was popular and still popular with women.

Classic ladies who could rock a Fedora: Marlena Dietrich, Ingrid Bergman and Katherine Hepburn

A modern interpretation of the Fedora by Beyoncé

What Is The Fedora?

There are many hats today that are loosely termed a Fedora. What makes a hat a Fedora and not a Trilby, Homburg, or Panama?.

Three iconic Fedoras-Humphry Bogart, Cary Grant and Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford)

The Fedora typically has a crown of at least 4.5 inches and a brim of 2.5 inches. The crown is indented and the front is pinched. Also, the brim of a Fedora is fairly level and the wearer has a certain freedom in shaping it to their own taste.

Two Close Cousins of a Fedora.

Trilby

Many times a Trilby is termed a Fedora but a Trilby has a slightly shorter crown and a much narrower brim. Generally, the back of the Trilby’s brim is turned up and the front part is turned down (unlike the Fedora which is fairly level). I also think the band on a Trilby is narrower. In my opinion, this is to balance the shorter brim.

I cannot have a hat post without John Hamm-On the left he is sporting a Fedora and on the right he is showing a good example of a Trilby.

Homburg

A Homburg is a felt hat characterized by a single dent running down the center of the crown (known as a “gutter crown”), a stiff brim shaped in a “kettle curl” and a bound edge trim. Homburgs are made from stiff wool or fur felt and have a grosgrain hatband and brim trim. Some may feature a feather.

Men in Homburgs-From left to right: Rudolph Valentino, Steve Buscemi (in Boardwalk Empire) and Winston Churchill

I’m tying up this post and will have to say this has been one of my favorite ones (but I’m sure I say that a lot). Everyone knows I love my Kansas City designers and I love research and especially fashion research. This article has been fun and I hope you have enjoyed it.

So hats off to the Fedora, one of my favorite looks.

My Fedoras from left to right: my white straw summer Stetson, my Dad’s black felt Fedora with a new band that I made from some silk scraps and a grey straw Fedora by Mudd I picked up on sale at Kohls this Spring.

Just for good measure, I am ending with a diagram of the Fedora and all its parts.

Good-by for now, take care and I will say adieu. I will see you next week and in the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Judith of Style Crone’s Hat Attack HERE, Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore HERE, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Over 50 Feeling 40 Hit Your Style HERE and Rachel’s (Rachel The Hat) The Passion For Fashion Link-up HERE and Nancy’s Fashion Style Friday’s Fancy Link-up HERE.

Red Bag Mix and Match-On The Road

This post could also be titled.”The Red Bag Goes Road Tripping”. Michael and I aren’t the types to sit on the beach and get sand in our toes. We occasionally like to drive somewhere and see something new. Our mantra: “You can find something interesting wherever you go.” This time we wanted to visit Hannibal Missouri, Springfield, Illinois and Hermann, Missouri with small stops along the way.

I wanted to take a big bag for that inevitable question: “Can you put this in your bag for a while?” I decided on my red Coach bucket bag because it is the largest bag I have. I call it my “horse bucket bag” and didn’t realize how big it was when I ordered it.

Generally not being a jeans and tee-shirt type of lady, I shopped my closet to work an interchangeable wardrobe around “the horse bucket”. We were on the road for six days and I didn’t want a repeat look.

The Road Trip Capsule

4 Bottoms: blue jeans, red jeans, white jeans, black slim pants.
4 Tops: white organza with tucks, black long sleeve, black and white stripped, white under top with men’s wear shirt.
2 Shoes: red textured flats, black loafer styled flats
Accessories: paisley print red scarf, minimal jewelry, a Fedora
and of course, one big red bag.

Time to get started on this trip!

Look at those hopeful faces behind me as we are about to leave. Only Sophia got to go road-tripping. Millie and Niko and the rest of our crew were babysitted by daughter Rachelle. Sophia was my first adopted Poodle and sometimes she and I just need our time.

Day one pick was red Madewell jeans, a white organza tucked top, a silk Echo scarf and Nine West black loafer flats. Also important is my book bag, sort of a hippy dippy affair that I found at a yarn show. For this trip I took my iPad, Voyager by Diane Gabaldon and We Were Hanging by a Thread by Ann Brownfield and David W. Jackson.

Sophia and I strolling on the banks of the Mississippi river in Hannibal, Missouri. As you likely know, Hannibal is the birthplace and childhood home of Mark Twain. I remember reading Tom Sawyer in the 4th grade and Huckleberry Finn in the fifth.

Day two choices were black Mango straight leg pants, a black and white stripped knit top and red Enzo Angiollini flats.

Ahhh, that famous fence……………

I kept my Fedora handy. Anytime, I didn’t like the sun, on my head it went.

Springfield, IL, was our main destination. I had been there before but Michael hadn’t. We decided this was the year to visit the “great man”. Without going into detail, I will say the three days we spent in Springfield were some of the most meaningful and, yes, sometimes very emotional that we have had on a trip.

The National Park Service maintains the Lincoln’s home and surrounding neighborhood. There isn’t an entrance fee and there are tours. For seventeen years the Lincolns lived and raised their boys in the house. Originally, their home was a single story, but as he became more successful, they added a second story.

Three of these pieces are repeated from my post last week. I really like the ease of wearing of this combo and have been sporting it a lot lately. I did leave my blue Cabbie hat at home. It was a good day to wear red, white and blue.

This is a poor picture of me, the sun is just too bright, but I wanted to include a photo of Lincoln’s memorial. Although I have no photos of it, I want to mention that the Lincoln Museum is amazing! There is an entrance fee but it is worth every penny. Did you know that only Jesus Christ has been written about more than Abraham Lincoln?

I finally put my hat on! Sophia and I are in front of The Dana-Thomas House by Frank Lloyd Wright which is another Springfield highlight. Wright was given card blanc by Susan Lawrence Dana for this design and did he design! He only did three barrel vaults in his career. Two of them are at the Dana-Thomas house and the other was for his children’s playroom at Oak Park.

Black and white for today. Black and white is a simple but classic and no fail look.

Our last day was spent back in Hermann, Missouri. Michael and I like to support Missouri’s grape and grain producers and this is one of the best places to do so.
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This area of Missouri is considered the “Missouri Rhineland” and is the main wine producing area in the area.

“The Missouri Rhineland is a geographical area of Missouri that extends from west of St. Louis to slightly east of Jefferson City, located mostly in the Missouri River Valley on both sides of the river. It is named for its similarities to the Rhineland region in central Europe, a wine growing area around the Rhine river and the German-Americans who determined that this part of Missouri would be good for grape growing.”

There is now the Pinckney Bend Distillery added to the mix which was a high point for me on this trip. Our favorite vineyard is Röbbler. Robert Mueller, his family and their wines are great. Röbbler is still small enough to feel very personable and they love dogs! Röbbler was featured this past spring in Feast.

For Michael, I am going to mention Tin Mill Brewery because he does like his German beer. Quite frankly, I rather like it myself. We’ve been going to Tin Mill for a good nine years and their selection just gets more creative and more expansive.

I had to add this. I uploaded this to Facebook on July 28th, 2009. It is one of the first photos I ever put on Facebook. We are at Tin Mill in its early days.

For this shot, I and Sophia are in front of some of the vineyards of Stone Hill, another notable wine maker in Hermann.

Last photographed outfit. Back with the white top and printed scarf but this time with the black pants and shoes.

The one that didn’t get photographed.

On the trip, I found out that my photographer does not really care for my red jeans. We had one day of just mainly driving and the last combination didn’t get photographed. In lieu, I made a collage. I’ve done a look like this on the blog before with a different black and white stripped top and different shoes.

The Polished Accessory

I chose Elevation Polish’s Kawagebo for this trip. It is a light blue crelly (half way between a cream and jelly finish) with a very subtle gold shimmer. Elevation Polish’s creator Lulu is an outdoor trekker and the majority of her colors are named after geological areas in the world. More importantly, Elevation Polish has proven it’s quality and integrity. This polish, with a top coat, lasted the whole trip without a chip. It was amazing!

We have reached our end today and I hope you enjoyed this little bit of fashion and a little bit of travelogue.

I used mainly solids for this capsule group but added a stripped print and my paisley scarf. Scarfs are important to my wardrobe because they can add a pop of color and they can change a look without to much effort. When I go thrifting, one the first things I look for are the scarfs. There are a lot of average ones to be found, but once in a while I score that gorgeous silk as the one I am wearing in this post.

I am going to take very small break from blogging. It may be one week or two, I am not sure. So until then, I will bid adieu. In the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Over 50 Feeling 40 Hit Your Style HERE and Rachel’s (Rachel The Hat) The Passion For Fashion Link-up HERE.

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Blue Cabbie

Last weekend we took advantage of the three day holiday and headed to Joplin, Missouri for family time and great food. Our daughter, Rachelle, and I decided to have a photo-shoot for the blog. Michelle, our oldest, also had a hand with my makeup (more later). Today’s look is vintage me: a little bit of the new, old and thrifted.

Taking a step back, in August Michael and I went to Macy’s to pick new shoes and clothes for him. Along the way, I threw in a blue Cabbie hat from the Men’s department for me. I’ve never had a Cabbie before and decided it was time to sport one.
This particular hat is paper straw and I think it will be great for going from summer to fall and spring to summer.

Rachelle is always after me to wear my glasses more. I do like these, mainly because of their great transition lenses.

My Nine West oxfords have been on here before. With their open crochet work, they are a great fall and spring shoe. Versions in black and white are still on Amazon, but I don’t think the tan are available anymore.

The Eric Javits (eBay) bag is a repeat. This was an accidental find because I was looking for something else. I forgot the original quest when I saw this navy and tan number.

My Madewell jeans are another repeat. I have other jeans but these are my main ones. The classic Gap shirt and white knit under top were thrifted. For me, this is a classic look that is easy and comfortable to wear. I could also put a navy top under this and it would look good.

I had my eye makeup put on by the makeup expert of the family, Michelle. Eye looks (o.k.-makeup in general) are difficult for me. At best, I muddle through, but Michelle has just learned a lot in her sparse spare time (she’s a veterinarian and has with our son-in-law, their own clinic). I can tell you that I am wearing Kat Von D and Viseart products that she gets from Beautylish.

We were off to Jo-Anne’s fabric store and a little thrifting so it was time to end this photo shoot.

One piece that I particularly wanted to point out for this post is my new pendant. It is part of Janesko’s Atomic line. Jennifer Janesko is a Kansas City artist and jewelry designer that I have long admired. I have especially have loved her Atomic line, but Jennifer told me that the Atomic line is being discontinued and it is now discounted. I jumped at that and now this pendent is in my collection.

A brief and short history of the Cabbie/Newsboy hat.

This is not the first time I have had a Cabbie hat on this blog. Over four years ago, I did a feature after I had knitted a three piece set (hat, scarf and gloves) for daughter Rachelle. If you are interested, the original post is HERE. If not, don’t worry because below is what I discovered about its history.

Even Barbara, Barbie and Buster have their Newsboys

The Newsboy is one of the most iconic hats of the late 19^th and 20^th century. This hat goes by many other names: Flat Hat, Gatsby Hat, Gold Hat, Driving Cap, among others.

I have read that this style goes as far back as 14^thcentury England. It has been claimed by every class of people, starting with the working class and eventually taken up by the upper classes as part of the weekend country attire.

Traditionally, the Newsboy is constructed from eight panels cut from plain wool or tweed. It can also be a rounded cap with a small brim and a stiffer back. I have seen versions of the hat with the top snapped down to the brim as well as remaining free of the brim. The ladies in the above collage are wearing the traditional hat whereas the men have on the smoother, non-paneled look.

That is enough for today, so I will bid adieu until next week. In the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Nancy’s Fancy Friday HERE and Judith of Style Crone’s Hat Attack.

The photography credits this week goes to daughter Rachelle and then to yours truly just for the polish photo.

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My Sew Sew Life-Cinderella’s Capsule Wardrobe

This is an extra fashion post to my usual Sunday afternoon article.

I am a designer at heart. Of course, so far I have four patrons who require my constant services: three little Poodles and a fifty-five year-old doll, Cinderella. This post covers designs for my beloved ‘Rella’.

Sometime last year, I started creating a capsule wardrobe, a group of interchangeable pieces. Quite a few months later–I skipped a few working on this–I’m finished!

Starting out, I was was aiming for a resort type wardrobe. I ran out of steam before I got a swim suit and a coverup done (next year maybe?). This turned into an early spring to late summer wardrobe for a doll who doesn’t like to swim.

She is a doll of the early 60’s and I wanted this grouping to play that up. I recycled old clothes from my closet to create her wardrobe. They mainly were:

an denim Woolrich jumper
a Eddie Bauer chambray dress with faggoting trim
and old white blouse I made for my daughter but it was just HUGE and even though it was authentic YSL fabric she never wore it.

The main problem sewing for this doll is that I don’t really have patterns to fit her (she’s 29″ and pretty slim). Thank goodness for Photoshop because I am able to resize any doll pattern that I have. Still, I usually have to make a few changes.

It’s time to get started……….

The first thing I made was a lined hooded swing jacket with cuffed clam digger pants. Accessories for this look are black leather ballet flats with bows, a navy leather bag and a simple beaded necklace and bracelet set. I made all the accessories, shoes and bags because you just aren’t going to find things for a doll of this size. Ebay has nice selections of leather scraps and they suit my purpose just fine.

Earrings are the exception because I can find them in small sizes. Pearl earrings are the easiest, I just use two of my pearl ended straight pins.

The triangles at the bottom of the side seams are there for a reason. My jumper wasn’t wide enough for the pattern, so there was a last minute design change.

Next, I took the jacket off and added a hat. ‘Rella’s knitted shell is something that I did as an example for a color theory class I teach for fiber enthusiasts. I hand painted the yarn for this top in a Rectangle Tetrad * of red violet, orange, yellow green and blue green. Each of these colors have been tempered with their respective complementary colors. If there are any fiber folks reading this, I use acid dyes by Lanaset. I find that Lanaset dyes are the most permanent to washing and light that I know.

I kept the pants but changed the knit top for a short sleeve cuffed blouse with a tie belt out of the YSL fabric. I like the hidden button detail. Who can’t use a tote bag for shopping?

I pulled out one of my vintage Poodle scarfs so she could look mid-century trendy. American Girl sunglasses are a tad small but still work.

Finally switching out the pants, she is now wearing a skirt and I’ve added a turban. The turban fabric is some really awful stuff that I got from Walmart for testing out knit patterns (I threw out what fabric was left after that project). Other things I added were a studded clutch and cork platforms. The shoes are always the hardest part of these projects. I use the web site Fashion Doll Shoes for ideas on techniques.

Heading into warmer weather I added shorts and a repurposed straw hat that was given to me years ago by our FCCLA teacher. All I had to do was to add a band, I believe made from the front band of an old dress.

For even warmer weather I added a sleeveless top and some simple slides for her third pair of shoes.

Just in case ‘Rella has to go out to a nice dinner, she has a lounging pant skirt from an experimental pattern based on a skirt I made for myself. In case the evening gets a little chilly, I knitted her one of my “Rows Of Many Colors“ shawls. Each row is a different yarn. This technique creates quite a nice textured surface.

With that, I’m done because I didn’t make any more.

I found a photo of the Christmas morning when Cinderella came into my life. I was pretty proud.

Sadly, her original dress has long since disintegrated.

At this point, you may think I’m a tad crazy. Further, this is not the first time Cinderella has been on this blog. Her first outfit feature is HERE and I talk a little more about getting her.

*What is a rectangular Tetrad you ask? It is four colors on the color wheel that form a rectangle as shown by this color wheel.

Add caption

That is enough for today, so I will bid adieu until next week. In the meantime, Happy Styling and sewing (if you partake)!

Photography credit goes today to me and my Dad on Christmas all those years ago.

I am trying a few new linkup parties with this post because it is a little different for me. This was a labor of love and I do want to share it. There are only a few linkups that I found for this kind of post. It could be that I just don’t know where to look, but I found:
A Little Bird Told Me
Monday
Inspire Me Monday
Monday Funday
Tuesday
Show and Tell

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PaperCut Cotton Tee by Whitney Manney

Hello again and I hope everyone’s week went smoothly. I know it went quickly because they all seem to. At least we start a three-day weekend (if you are in the states). Will that slow things down? I doubt it. But it does give us some extra time to spend with friends and family. This year we are heading south to Joplin, Missouri, for our son-in-law’s great smoked barbecue.

There has been a lot of graphic tee shirts on Instagram and fashion blogs during this past spring and summer. It has been hard to miss that they have been very popular.

This popularity left me unscathed. My purchase of any type of tee shirt during the last five years has been just one (it had to do with dog rescue). I just stopped buying them. Back in the day when we would go somewhere, we had to buy tee shirts. I have Smithsonian, St. Louis Zoo, Monticello, Florida and sheep show tee shirts. The list could go on and on. However, they would just languish in drawers. It finally dawned on me that I really just don’t wear tee shirts.

OK, our school’s Parent Teacher Organization would give us teachers a free Adrian Blackhawk staff tee shirt every year and I would wear those. I still covet my NEA “Read Across America” Dr. Seuss Tee shirt (that I still have).

However, I knew about a month ago, I was going to fall off the “no buy” tee shirt wagon. Whitney Manney, an up and coming Kansas City designer, came out with her Paper Cut Tee Shirts. I had to have one. The designs in the shirts are exactly what they say: paper collages. My term for them is Graphic Art Tee Shirts, because I feel like I am wearing original art. The design I chose here is All Dressed.

A good friend from North Carolina often insists: “Southern women wear pearls with their flip flops.” Well, this is my answer. This mid-western woman wears pearls with her tee shirts.

I picked a size that fit my bust because I figured I would tailor the shirt for the rest of my body, as I do most everything else. I am going to hold off on that because, right now, I like the blousey look and especially like the sleeves rolled up. Eventually, I may take it to the sewing machine but not this summer.

Now, back to the pearls. When I was fifty-five, I decided I wanted to wear pearls. The first ones that I bought were the classic Jackie O/Barbara Bush three-stranded style but, for me, they are the hardest to wear. To begin with, they are heavy! I have my 18″ ones on today and also have a set that is 24″.

Besides my pearls, I chose shoes and bag of a pale leaning toward neutral pink. The shoes are Ellen Tracy and the bag is by Big (both from TJ Maxx but at different occasions). The bag and shoes have been on here before when I did a challenge for Sylvia’s 40+ group.

Of course, the most important accessory in these pictures is Sophia, my miniature apricot poodle. I adopted her seven years ago come this October 1st, when she was about 3-5 years. She is one of the best things I have ever done. I took a ragamuffin who looked so bad that the rescue named her Fraggle and turned her into a queen (well, in my eyes).

I wanted everyone to have a closer look at the graphics. For me, between the chandelier, makeup brush, clock and that incredible red dress, it’s like Cinderella meets the 60’s.

While editing the photos for this post, I realize that this has been as close as I have gotten to Pantone’s “colors” of the year. I say close, because I know that my pink is very neutralized, but this is probably as close as I will get.

The Polished Accessory

I had to have a pink polish for this and picked a color by Orly, another one of my favorite polish brands. This is Pink Waterfall from their 2013 Surreal Collection. It is a pink creme but with an underlying blue that gives it extra depth.

Orly doesn’t have this color in their current offerings, which I think is a shame. But, with Amazon and eBay around, it can always be had. I have three colors from the Surreal collection (including one named Pink Poodle) and have to say this collection is one of my all time favorites.

Sophia is going to get some face-time today. She is wearing a pink pearl necklace with a pink rhinestone drop that I made just for this shoot. Sophia is also wearing a Tiara Bow with Swarovsky crystals. I designed these and make them in all colors for her.

For me, Poodles and fashion always go together. Check HERE and HERE for my posts on classic fashion photos with Poodles. While I am on the subject, here are some very famous people who owned Poodles HERE and HERE. OK, that’s enough Poodle!

Whitney Manney

As I previously mentioned, Whitney Manney is a Kansas City designer, a graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute (2012) and one of five recipients of a Rightfully Sewn’s scholarship for the FactTrac (Kauffman Foundation) program.

Whitney is in her twenties and creates energetic street wear. She designs for the young urban and I appreciate what she does. My youngest is drooling over a pair of her leggings. I was so happy when I saw the PaperCut shirts because I think they are a design for all ages and all sizes.

Here are the designs that she offers.

All Dressed also comes in grey

The Think About Love comes in pink and white.

The Power Shirt comes in burgundy and dark olive.

I had to include the PrimaRebelle Printcess Skater Dress. This digital print is now it is on sale for $95 and I can so see it on my youngest daughter, Rachelle. Both prints are amazing.

I wore my tee shirt Saturday to a Pop Up shop event featuring some of my favorite Kansas City designers. I am just showing Michael my next bag! It’s a Dolyn Bag by Ami Beck.

That is enough for today, so I will bid adieu until next week. In the meantime, Happy Styling!

This week, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Nancy’s Fancy Friday HERE and Sydney’s Fashion Hunter.

The photography credit this week goes to my Hubby, Michael for the photos of me. I will take credit for the polish photo

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Transition Linen and Silk

Last weekend Michael and I went on a little jaunt. For me, a jaunt is a really short trip, usually just about a day and a half. It gives you time enough to stay in a nice boutique hotel or Bed and Breakfast (it’s only for one night, so let’s go nice) and a couple of good meals. Hopefully, somewhere in there is good art. This time it was a quite satisfyingly done play at the Lyceum Theatre in Arrow Rock, MO. The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial was directed by an old high school friend of mine.

It is also that time of the year that we hear the term “transitional.” The nights are getting cooler and the days may be hot–or not. Last weekend wasn’t different, so I picked linen and silk to wear and was very comfortable the whole time.

As usual (but not always), this is all “shopping my closet” and just putting things together in different combinations. I have had some of these pieces as long as eight years, but had never put them together quite like this.

This post brings to light a technique that I use a lot: the column of a single color. More than likely, columns are black. This one is creme. The pants are silk-lined Charter Club from Macy’s and the silk shell is Liz Claiborne.

The creme column has been on here before (a post about Kansas City Fashion week), but worn with a long silk duster. The pants were the same but the the top was different. It was still a creme silk but was a knit. For me, the rule is to have accessories to completely pull it off for an entirely new look.

The previous cream column as I wore it last Spring. This is my daughter Rachelle and I during last Spring’s Kansas City Fashion Week.

The star of today’s show is my Jones New York lined linen jacket. I found it a few years ago at an outlet mall while on a teachers’ conference. The jacket is such a classic, going back to the 30’s and 40’s.

Had to do a little research to make sure I knew what I was talking about, and there they were.

I seem to be wearing green a lot, but it is one of my favorite colors. My jacket has pockets hidden in the front seaming and a tie belt. There have been times when I have just tied the belt in the back and left the jacket open in the front.

I can snap it all the way up, but with this chunky necklace, I left the top snap undone.

With my sometime accessory, Bennett

Now to the other elements I picked. Again, I have another one of my vintage Rodo bags. The purse body is bucket shaped leather with cord handles that have seem to be knotted in the macramé technique. The gold hardware is perfect for the green and gold that dominate this look.

The jewelry pieces are a large yellow-green wooded bangle with a resin necklace (definitely a summer necklace).

My Ralph Lauren gold shantung shoes (on here before, just in July) go nicely and I am happy with this combination.

Everything shows up a little clearer in my still life below.

The Polished Accessory-double or nothing

I wore two colors with this one so two colors I will show here. On our jaunt, I had Finger Paint’s Art Nouveau Nectarine. This is a greatly pink-leaning orange. Finger Paints is carried by Sally’s Beauty Supply. For the price, it is a good polish and most colors have artistic sounding names for which I am a sucker.

However, this week I have been wearing Nubar’s Primrose, which is the palest yellow you will find. I saw no reason to change it for the photos, because it goes perfectly for the color pallet I was aiming towards. If you are afraid of wearing yellow, then this yellow would be a good choice. Primrose is part of Nubar’s 2011 Spring Garden collection and still can be found on Amazon.

Jaunt photo time. On the Katy Trail in front of the Missouri River in Booneville, MO. Michael snapped this shot at twilight and I love what the sun did to some of the leaves and the tree trunk behind me. Inspired by Daniel Boone, we went exploring. We found the famous Boone’s Lick, an important source of salt for pioneers on the Sante Fe Trail. Down the winding road from Booneville and up through Boonesborro, Boone’s Lick is–trust us—way out in the boonies.

That is enough for today, so I will bid adieu until next week. In the meantime, Happy Styling!

The photography credit this week goes to my Hubby, Michael for the photos of me. I will take credit for the still life and polish photos.

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