Two For Transition

Today is a two for one special! I’m wearing two different outfits on two subsequent days. The two base items that didn’t change were the brown slacks and bag. Maybe I was just too lazy to change my purse the next day? The end result is two looks that I really like. The linen and cotton items I am using are perfect for those almost warm spring days and those sort of cool fall days.

First up, here’s the two looks side by side.

So here goes on the decisions I made. I built both looks with some Charter Club 55% silk/44% linen dark brown slacks (from eBay at a consignment shop price) as the base. The jacket, which I have wanted for a long time, is Asiatica by Fifi White, a Kansas City designer. I finally made it to Act II, a consignment shop in Kansas City, during a 30% sale on all their Asiatica consignments. This one fit, I liked it and the price was right (for an Asiatica). What bugs me is that we couldn’t find a fiber content label. Asiatica’s hallmark is re-purposing vintage kimonos into wearable garments. They do other types of designs along the way, of which this jacket is an example. I really think it is a heavier silk; however, I am just not sure.

My bag, which stays in both looks, is by Pour La Victoire. I picked it up a couple of years ago online from Nordstrom’s Rack. I am attracted to the variety of texture and with its orange accent, this bag was hard to say no to.

The brown Tod’s heeled loafers have been on here before and they finished what I was going for. They came from eBay. I got them from a lady who was selling a three-pair deal of her old Tod’s so she could get new ones.

The three-toned necklace was found last Summer at a clearance sale from a local boutique. I figured I would always have a reason to own a brown and orange necklace. It has been a handy one.

The next day I worked, so went for a brighter look with this fully lined 97% cotton/3% Spandex Bandolino jacket with what I interpret as an Ikat-inspired pattern. The jacket can be buttoned up, but I love the portrait collar look created by leaving the top button undone. This jacket is another one of my Thrift’tastic finds from the Joplin Good Will.

The shoes changed. I went with some multi-textured Etienne Aigner sandals that were purchased at TJ Maxx. Also, I added a red-orange acrylic necklace that I picked up at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art’s gift shop. I’m a museum member and love using my 10% discount. The beads are probably closer to being red, but their translucent quality takes on some of the color they are next to, so I thought it worked.


Keeping with the two for one spirit: two shoes, two necklaces, two bracelets, two jackets and two yoga blocks!

Polishing it Off

I picked Wet by Floss Gloss to go with the browns and oranges that I wore. This color is luminous light turquoise cream and it gets complements when I wear it. Floss Gloss is what I term a Boutique polish. Floss Gloss is the creative child of two art school grads and they have a very different take on the polish culture. Some of their polishes I have no interest in but I do have quite a few.

Bottles run $8 and you can buy a few individual colors from Amazon with free shipping.

That’s it for this round and until next time take care. I spent a lot of time outside today enjoying this glorious April weather and bet a few of you did too.

Today, 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, Color and Grace’s Link Up Party HERE
Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, Living On Cloud Nine’s Style Perspectives HERE, High Altitude Style’s Link-Up HERE, The Pleated Poppy’s What I Wore, Sydney’s Fashion Hunter’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE , Style Diary By Osy’s Friday Link Up Party HERE, Shelbee’s Edge of the Week Link Up HERE, Nancy’s Fancy Friday HERE, Style Exixer’s Fabulous Friday HERE, Over 50 Feeling 40 Hit Your Style HERE and Rachel’s (Rachel The Hat) The Passion For Fashion Link-up HERE

Opposite Sides

Saint Louis and Kansas City; These two cities on opposite ends of the state have their differences but when it comes to good design they find common ground.
Today, I’m not doing a total look but three accessories that I own from Kansas City and Saint Louis designers.

I just recently picked up a necklace from Erin Paige. It is a three dimensional piece that is actually a run over copper pipe. I fell in love with the patina surfaces of this copper piece. I feel as if I’m wearing a mini abstract expressionist painting. There is a much closer view below because it is visually extraordinary.

Erin was recently featured during Kansas City Fashion Week. Her pieces are visually strong and make dramatic statements.

For the moment, I am pairing my new necklace with some earrings I have had quite a while. These were created by Beth Cosner, another Kansas City jewelry designer. I found Beth when she had a small shop at the consignment store Her Majesty’s Closet (now closed). With their vintage Lucite and sterling silver, these are a nice fit with a lot of what I wear.

Beth received her Bachelor of Fines Arts at University of Kansas and then entered Gemological Institute in Carlsbad California and became a Graduate jeweler.

She does not have an online shop but can be contacted for information where her pieces are currently showing. Fellow Heartland blogger, The Arts by Katrina (a link with an interview with Beth Cosner) has created a nice Pinterest Board with Beth’s work.

And now, I move across state. Michael Drummond is know for being a contestant on Project Runway. He showed on Friday of Kansas City Fashion Week. Although, we didn’t attend Friday, I was lucky that Michael had a Pop-Up on Saturday. His designs caught my eye clear across Union Station and Union Station is a big place.

I decided on this scarf with it’s graphic feather. It is just the right size and can be also used as a shawl and I think just brings out the tad dramatic in me. This scarf will be the take-with-me wrap for cool Spring and summer nights.

Feather Scarf approx. 31″ x 58″

This scarf is just to much fun!

Erin Paige necklace

The intricacies of the Beth Cosner earrings

Still life-Michael Drummond’s tag is copper-so cool

The Polish

Of course, I had to pick a polish to wear with my pieces. This is Lake of Shining Water by Literary Lacquer. I can’t say enough about Amy Milder’s creations. She bases her collections on her and her fan’s favorite books.The color I am wearing is from the Ann of Green Gable’s collection. Started in 2012, Literary Lacquer’s quality is impeccable and Amy has such a creative outlook on her polishes. Every August, she makes a limited edition polish for her birthday. I have snagged two birthday polishes at this point and find I always have room for more Literary Lacquer. If you are interested in a safe great Indie polish, check her out on ETSY.

Love holographic!

That’s it for today. I’m sure a lot of us are out enjoying this beautiful (finally!) Spring weather. Take care until we meet again.

Today, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE and Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE, the Wardrobe Stylist’s Link-Up HERE,
Color and Grace’s Link Up Party HERE, Elegantly Dressed, Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, Sydney’s Fashion Hunter’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE and Style Diary By Osy’s Friday Link Up Party HERE.

* With Gateway to the West, I mean the Saint Louis Arch and with Pathway to the West, I am referencing The Oregon Trail.

A Cold and Windy April Night

Friday night is Starbucks, shopping and thrifting. Michael settles in at Starbucks with a good book and coffee. I do the other stuff and join him when I’m finished.

Where I live, Mother Nature had a fun time on the first Friday of April. Sunny but cold with a good dose of wind, some folks probably would have revolted, worn flower prints, cut offs, and flip flops. But for me, it was just one more time to wear one of my wool Fedoras!

I could call this my menswear look with a bit of vintage whimsy. As usual, it’s a bit of new, thrifted, and vintage.

My Fedora is new by DPC, with the color “putty”. I picked it up at my favorite KC hat store Exclusively For You.

The pricey-looking navy jacket (Collections for Le Suit) with tan and grey pinstripes is another great thrifty find. I know originally it was part of some ensemble but by the time it made it to the thrift store it was all by its lonesome–and not expensive!

My jeans are Madewell skinnies and I got them at a Madewell. Expensive, yes but I have one pair and they look great every time I wear them. Madewells do not stretch or bag and they fit my body type great. Yes, I love, love, love them.

Now for the purse. It’s part of my vintage collection and is a Furla. I liked the color, simplicity and the length of the straps. From eBay and is the only Furla I own.

The Oxfords are Nine West and I did get them from Nine West. They have this almost crochet interest that I love.

And now for the whimsy. I have a collection of vintage Poodle scarfs. They range from classic to Bob Mackie bright. The one I am wearing with this ensemble is probably my favorite. It is a double woven jacquard in silk from France. It is a tad hard to see in the photos above so I created a still life below to show the two-color weave of my scarf and the knot work of the oxfords.

Finally to my nails. I’ve been wearing quite a bit of blue lately. My latest is from an Australian Indie by the name of MckFresh and this is their Mermish Tales. This is a scattered holo and is just gorgeous, especially in natural sunlight.

Oh, and a quick report on my shopping gems that night. At Salvation Army I found a black wool crepe shift dress that will be great next Fall. I just need to fiddle with the hem a bit. Also scored was a wool Herringbone vest from Harvé Benard and some Top Shop flats. Kohls had some of their hats on clearance and I found a grey straw Fedora mixed in with all the winter hats. Needless to say, I snapped it up!

Here I am wearing my new hat and vest the very next day. Typical of Missouri, the temps were about 15 degrees warmer. The Poodles (I’m holding Sophia) and I were on our way to watch the boys in Joplin.

That’s it for today. Here’s to warmer days and take care until we meet again.

Terri

Today, I am linking up with Patti’s Not Dead Yet Style’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Style Nudge’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Nicole’s High Latitude Style Linkup HERE, Catherine’s Not Dressed As Lamb’s I will Wear What I like HERE,

Color and Grace’s Link Up Party HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE,
Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, Sydney’s Fashion Hunter’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE and

and Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE and Style Diary By Osy’s Friday Link Up Party HERE.

Spring Break-Hats and Wraps #2

When the Joplin School District had Spring Break, Michelle hired her fill-in veterinarian and brought the boys for five days to spend at the farm. They also went to Kansas City (we are just one hour away) to spend time with her sister and to pick up some culture. Our son-in-law is the clinic’s office manager and stayed to man the ship and keep everything running smoothly.

During Michelle’s visit, we sewed, knitted, ate and had a great time. She taught me how to use our jointly owned serger which I had been putting off. I will use it in the future and when I actually make something on it, I will let everyone know!

We ended their trip with a few pictures for the fun of it. They were just in time for Judith’s Style Crone’s April Hat Attack.

I fell in love with this vintage pillbox on eBay and really didn’t worry if I had a place to wear it. It does seem to be wool and the label says Bellini Original. I don’t know to much about hat makers but did find some other Bellini hats on ETSY. I always like to find out some history of a vintage item or the company that made it, but I came up with nothing. I probably just need to look a little harder.

I saw what Michelle brought to wear for the picture and then with hat in hand headed to the closet to style something that would go with her. In the end, we went with the black/gray/pink tones. With us, as usual, it’s a bit of the new, vintage and refashioned.

Michelle’s top is from Mimu Maxi out of New York. Their line is a minimalist style and made in the USA. With it, she is wearing what is called a “skirt legging”. This one is refashioned from a very stretch A-line skirt that she thrifted. The shoes are mine. I liked that their abstract pattern matched the pattern in her printed scarf.

A close up of Michelle’s wrap. This child has an incredible amount of scarfs. After 100, I think she lost count. She gets them new, used, from here, there and everywhere. From what I’ve seen her do, this is a simple style. She only used two scarfs and no jewelry.

I fell in love with two of her Wrapunzel scarfs and had to go online and order a couple to style with my wardrobe. I gave a link to Deep Ocean one of the most gorgeous scarfs I have ever seen and is one of those I purchased.

And now to me for a bit.

I’ve already talked about my hat. The jacket is a pink, grey and black chenille textured that I thrifted. I picked this up about two years ago on my first excursion to thrift shops with Michelle. My pants are old ( six years maybe?) Charter Club silks that I altered to reflect my changing taste. They were very wide legged and baggy originally. My shoes are my trusty neutral Nine Wests that I wear a lot in the Spring.

My top under the jacket was just so-so

and as I do a lot, added a scarf and tied

it into a bow.

Just a close up

Our oldest grandson William with our

oldest daughter Michelle.

He is taller that she is now.

How fast they grow up!

The last two weeks have spoiled me. Posting with the girls is so much fun. Next week I will be all my myself.

And closing with some sweet eye candy. Michelle enjoys making and decorating cakes. She follows quite a few Australian cake makers on YouTube. She made this one for her Dad. He lives up to our last name and is the gardener of the family. This recipe had rose water among the ingredients and was heaven on a fork!

Take care until next time.

Today, I am linking up with Judith of The 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, Color and Grace’s Link Up Party HERE, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish Turning Heads Tuesday HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE and Sydney’s Fashion Hunter’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE, Fashion Should Be Fun’s Fun Friday Fashion Link Up HERE and Style Diary By Osy’s Friday Linkup Party HERE.

2 For Kansas City Fashion Week

My previous post was about the Rightfully Sewn 2016 Scholarship Winners Celebration Event on Saturday March 12th which opened Kansas City Fashion Week. Later that week my daughter Rachelle and I picked up two other events.

Bubbly and Bow Ties

On Wednesday, we donned our fancy dresses and headed to Bubbly and Bow Ties which featured Dolyn Bags and Keefe Cravat. It was a lovely evening of pink bubbly to sip and delicious appetizers to nibble.

The black dress is Liz Claiborne, the baguette is Jessica McClintock, the silver metallic sandals by Badgley Mischka.

This picture of Rachelle shows off the fantastic
front of her vintage silk dress.
She picked it up a couple of years ago at a
Kansas City vintage shop. And it has pockets!

Between the decorative slits and buttons on my velvet dress,

I didn’t have to worry about a necklace. This dress was a

thrift’fastic find, brand new with the tags still

on from Dillards!

A close up of the Jessica McClintock baguette, polish

(two different polishes to create the effect)

and my amethyst ring

I am going to share on my my favorite

eBay shops (where I got my ring) which is

Gemsporium.

Ami Beck of Dolyn Bags with her models and hand crafted leather bags.

Keefe Cravat and Dolyn Bags

What’s a night without a Selfie? We are very good at inventing our own fun and had a great time!


I’m Closing this section with a just found “after publication” of us at Bubbly & Bow Ties.

Saturday Night Runway Show Featuring Kansas City Designers

For us, the most important runway show was Saturday because it featured Kansas City Designers. On the Runway that night were Architexture, Tomboy Design, Lucia’s Sarto, Erin Paige Jewelry, christianMICHAELS, and Andrea Marie Long Designs.

First up is our official red carpet photo. I am going to talk about our bags up front. I collect vintage bags, mainly concentrating on Rodo of Italy. Rachelle is carrying one of those. My pick for the evening is a vintage Crocodile clutch from Eileen Kramer.

My duster, knit top and pants are 100% silk and have been in my closet for about eight years. I just change the accessories as time goes by. Together, these pieces have a casual elegance that I love.

The necklace I picked this time is a beaded band from India that I picked up at the Nelson Atkins Museum‘s gift shop last year. The shoes are Nine West, which tends to be one of my favorite brands.

Rachelle’s found her dress at Tweeds, a small Kansas City Boutique. It has a fantastic texture.

On Saturday, we tended to take photos of the clothes but had to do one Selfie!

On Saturday, we tended to take photos of the clothes but had to do one Selfie

Rachelle was able to snap a photo of the whole team of Lucia’s Sarto (Natalya Myers) for the show. We’ve have been following her career since she was showing Goth dresses at the Fringe Festival. Now she makes theses ethereal creations. Natalya is the blond on the far left.

Next up is a short video of another one of my favorites, Laura McGrew’s Tomboy Design.

Laura McGrew and Natalya Myers are the only two designers I am featuring. For a larger overview, please go to KCFW’s site. There will be links to more photos and videos.

As I was purchasing a necklace at Erin Paige’s Pop-Up, an older gentleman asked us how we liked the jewelry. After I extolled my enthusiasm, he proudly announced that he was her father.

As ChrisianMICHAELS Menswear was making their runway finale, an older gentlemen who was sitting next to us, asked Rachelle if she liked the clothes. There was a coat that she really wanted and she told him. He then let us know that he was the parent of the designer.

I am usually that parent. Rachelle is a Kansas City artist and when we go to one of her openings, it’s me who is always hovering, trying to listen and see what folks think about her work. It was interesting being on the other side.

And I am closing with a small vignette of my accessories that I styled for my Saturday look. Vintage Japanese stage costume pieces have been turned into earrings by Trajet Jewelry. The amber, silver and gold bangles were added along with my Amber Turkish ring.

The little brown bottle holds one of my favorite fragrances. It is November In The Temperate Deciduous Forest and is created by an Indie Kansas City perfume company For Strange Women.

I couldn’t let my nails go undone. I chose a base coat of Color Club’s Look Don’t Tusk and a top coat of Kitsume from Rainbow Honey.

This long post is finally at an end. I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time, take care.

Color and Grace’s Link Up-Party

Rightfully Sewn

On Saturday March 12th, I attended the Rightfully Sewn 2016 Scholarship Winners Celebration Event. This was the kick-off event for Kansas City Fashion Week. This event featured five young Kansas City designers and was held at Anaphora, an upscale boutique.

More about the great coat I got at Anaphora at the end!

I mainly went to hear Kansas City’s Kaufman Foundations’s FastTrac fashion design scholars and see samples of their work. I also knew that the organization Rightfully Sewn was picked as the charity partner for this Spring’s fashion week and would be represented. Did I do my homework on what exactly Rightfully Sewn was? Well no, I went to the event not knowing anything.

Jennifer Lapka Pfeifer introducing the scholarship recipients

Almost the minute I walked in, I was greeted by a beautiful young woman (maybe I looked lost?) who introduced herself as Jennifer Lapka Pfeifer, the founder of Rightfully Sewn, and she gave me a brief introduction as to the mission of her organization. I was impressed and immediately found a quiet corner and looked Rightfully Sewn up on my phone. Here is their mission in their own words:

“Rightfully Sewn will provide seamstress training for at-risk women so they can thrive in a specialized workforce that will reestablish Kansas City as an epicenter of garment manufacturing, while at the same time, propel Kansas City fashion designers to market so they can supply the burgeoning demand for affordable, high-quality, American-produced garments.”

Needless to say, after reading that, I jumped over to their Indiegogo account and contributed. I feel we need to take care of our own and fashion belongs back in Kansas City. We have a strong local food movement and need the same in fashion and I know Kansas City is not alone in this. I am pretty sure this movement is taking hold throughout other cities worldwide.

Focusing on Dolyn Bags by Ami Beck


Kansas City designers, Heidi Herrman, Amina Wyrick Hood and Whitney Manney

Rightfully Sewn Links

Rightfully Sewn website

Rightfully Sewn Indiegogo account

Scholarship Recipients Links

Ami Beck/Dolyn Bags

Heidi Hermann

Whitney Manney

Sarah Nelsen

Kate Nichols

In the beginning, I mentioned that Anaphora hosted this event. They also contributed 10% of the sales that night to Rightfully Sewn. What better reason than to shop, right? On my way out, I noticed a coat that should have already been in my closet. The problem was not if I had anything to wear with it but how could I choose what to wear with it!

My new coat is by BB Dakota. Just the week before I had been daydreaming about windowpane checks and there they were. This coat can be worn with everything and I am planning to.

And here I am again, but with some extra cast members. Our two Elders, Bennet the Lab (12 yrs) and Barney (14 years) decided they wanted to be in the picture and who am I to say no?

Here are a few things I put with my new coat this time around. My pants are 100% linen that I made using Vogue Pattern #2948 which is a Today’s Fit pattern by Sandra Betzina. I am carrying The Spiral Bag by Tom Thomas Designs. For some color, I added a Discharged Shibori pleated silk scarf that I did a while back.

This coat might pop up again because what I can wear with it is almost endless.

Summing Up

Today’s post is about fashion, style and creating it in the United States. I’m interested in seeing these good Kansas City designers thrive. Another aspect of this venture is to train Kansas City’s women at risk to learn skills that may help them create better and independent lives.

In its heyday, the Kansas City garment industry boasted 75 factories and employed between 4,000 to 7,000 workers. It was second only to the area’s meatpacking industry.

So why am I interested in all of this you ask? Here are a few reasons.

I have mentioned in previous posts that I have been sewing since the age of ten. That makes 55 years with the needle.

In high school, my dream was to be a fashion designer. After graduation, I walked into the dress factory of Nelly Don (at 31st and Gilliam) and convinced them to let me work there for about two months.

If you are not familiar with Nelly Don, Seamwork Magazine has a wonderful article about her and her dress company HERE. The company did close during the late seventies but was probably one of the last garment companies to survive in KC.

In August, I took most of my money, spent it on material and made my freshman college wardrobe. I say most, because I spent some on shoes, boots, one bag, two hats and this cool bright, bright yellow, very short trench coat.

I don’t know if this is really a reason to be interested in keeping fashion design in KC, but it does show you how into my fashion I was at age 18.

During my thirty five years of art education, I tried to bring fiber and sewing into my art programs often. I knew this was something being lost and I sought to stimulate interest. I realize this was more of an artistic side of things, such as needle felting and tapestries. But sewing is sewing.

I love fiber. Anyone who knows me also knows I have a menagerie of animals who quite happily make fiber: Alpacas, sheep (Shetland and one Merino), an Angora bunny, and one very old Angora goat.

That’s it for this time around. Until we meet again, take care.

Today, I am linking up with Patti’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Catherine’s I will Wear What I like HERE, Color and Grace’s Link Up-Party HERE,Elegantly Dress and Stylish Linkup Party HERE and Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, Sydney’s Fashion Hunter’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE and Fashion Should Be Fun’s Friday Linkup HERE

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Saying Goodby To Downton

For the past six years, at 8:00 on Sunday nights from January to March, there would only be one place Michael and I would be. That was on the couch in front of the flat-screen watching Downton Abby.
This year, things got even better. In December, we attended an opening episode screening through our local Public Television affiliate, KCPT which also featured a talk by Alastair Bruce (The Oracle). We dressed nicely, but not in period appropriate and talk about feeling under dressed! At the end of the evening it was announced that there was going to be a wrap up party and viewing at the Hotel Phillips on March 6th. The wheels started turning in my head!

It is interesting that this post comes after a statement in my last, as to the effect I would probably never have a style board or where to buy because I didn’t shop that way. It was a bit different this time around. I had my mink shawl (years ago from Ebay) and my vintage velvet purse given to me years ago by my Mother-In-Law. But everything else was a quest.

The Flapper look didn’t interest me. I wanted to dress like I was invited for dinner at Downton because this event was a dinner and viewing party.

I haven’t worked this hard since the girls went to prom! It was actually double the work because I had to worry about both of us. Michael was happy enough to go along with the ride as long has he didn’t have to do any shopping for it.

I will start with my outfit, ladies first I guess you could say. My dress is a full length beaded affair by Pissaro Nights. It came from Ebay but Nordstrom also carries Pissaro Nights. The color is navy even thought it looks purple on the style board.

The elbow length black gloves came from Amazon. I wanted a cotton looking glove. Some day I think I will try my hand at making mid arm gloves from stretch silk because that looks like the kind of gloves used on the show.

The shoes were found on Amazon. There was a certain heel I was looking for and these dress satin shoes from Ellie were perfect.

The necklace is by Lydell NYC which I picked up at TJ Maxx and was the last addition to the assemble. I ordered the earrings last Fall from a wholesale company LANCY NY with nothing in mind for them. They are a few tones lighter than the dress but with that Deco style, they worked for me on this one.

And finally to my perfume. I probably was the only one there that wanted a decade perfect fragrance. Tabac Blond by Caron has always been one of my favorite scents. Created in 1919 by Earnest Daltroff, Tabac Blond was truly the fragrance for the liberated 20’s woman. A combination of leather, tobacco and vanilla made it nightclub ready!

It and Bellodgia were the two scents that made me want to explore classic perfumes.

That pretty much sums me up. The only thing left would be my head wear and I will go into that at the end.

Now, to Michael. His vintage Brooks Brothers tux was the first thing I found. This was the item that worried me the most so was the first hunted. And of course, I found it on Ebay. The jacket fitted perfectly. The pants were a tad long, but big deal, I just hemmed them.

The shirt is Azar Man and came from Amazon as did the cotton pique vest. It was quite a search to find a shirt that didn’t have pleats in the front.

We decided to skip the plain black tie and actually went with something a little more modern that we found at our favorite KC hat shop, Exclusivity Yours.

I wanted something on my head but wasn’t interested in going with a tiara. After seeing one at the party, I sort of wish I had gone with it. But I wore an original idea I came up with. Looking through my stash, I found some black sequin trim and from it cut two lengths. You can see what I did with it. The shorter length helped anchor it like at hat and it didn’t move all night. It was just enough to add a tad of sparkle but not overpower.

And My Nails

The nails weren’t that important in that I had gloves on during most of the night. But watching Dinker (lady maid to the Dowager Countess of Grantham aka Dame Maggie Smith ) painting her nails a new color called “nude” was great! My two colors for this design were Excalibur (silver) by A England and Dazed by Cult Nails. I ended leaving this on all week because I love the combo.

And in closing, a view of the lobby of Hotel Phillips. It is easy to see why this venue was picked for a Downton Abby party.

So now I will say goodbye and farewell to Downton Abby. But, you know, Julian Fellowes has said if he had his way there will be a movie. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

Today, I am linking up with Catherine’s #iwillwearwhatilike HERE, Patti’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Shoe and Tell HERE, Color And Grace’s Linkup Party HERE and Eleganlty Dressed, Stylish’s Turning Heads Linkup HERE, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, Sydney Fashion Hunter’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE and Fashion Should Be Fun’s Friday Linkup Party HERE.

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Coffee With Michelle In Joplin Wearing Dad’s Hat-Hats & Wraps #1

My favorite posts are the ones that includes my family. Today’s post is one of those. We are lucky to have to beautiful daughters (yes, I am prejudice) and two pretty neat grandsons. Today, I’m joined by my daughter Michelle and our photographer, my youngest grandson.

I originally went down to Joplin the weekend of February 27th to attend a special event, Two Men And Junk. Driving by the Joplin Expo Center we spied a line the length of a football field. Michelle and I looked at each other, laughed and decided to go for coffee (Joplin Avenue Coffee Company) and hit our favorite thrift shops instead! The weather was gorgeous and it was a great day to walk downtown with the bonus of a great graffiti filled ally behind the coffee shop.

This is a Style Blog so let’s get to it. The star of the show, for me, is my hat which belonged to my Dad. When he passed in ’95, I got his hats. This particular black Fedora sat in a closet because it had an ugly grey vinyl band and the same thick vinyl interior band which made it too small for my head. FINALLY after twenty odd years, I decided to do something about it. I replaced the band with grey silk that I edge stitched with light grey silk thread. The finishing touch was a vintage mother of pearl buckle, all which was from my stash. The interior band was replaced with a band of grosgrain ribbon and it then fit perfectly! I also made a cheetah band for it, but that can be for another time.

This jacket is from a local thrift shop. I thought the stripes and the color way were amazing. The label says “City Girl” and “Made in California, U.S.A. so I would place it in the late 70s-early 80s? The pant is a high waisted knit (Marshalls) with some serious zipper action going on in the front.

The top is silk by Pendleton. I have a life long love of Pendleton. In fact, the first gift my husband gave me when we were dating was a yardage of Pendleton wool so I could make a pair of slacks. My Mother for some reason got pretty upset about it. I guess she figured if a man was going to give me material, it had to be pretty serious. I remember the wool being around $18 a yard and that was in the early 70s; definitely before the days of “cheap fashion”.

My bag is Coach (got to love that online sales outlet) and my shoes are pewter colored smoking flats by Nine West. As usual, I am a mix of name brand, thrifted and DYI fashion. That’s just the way I have always done it. I will probably never have one of those “shop this look” because of how I shop. So it goes.

I talked Michelle into some shots with me. She describes her style as Boho. She is a knitter (her scarf) and readily Refashions thrifty finds. The black jumper she is wearing was too small so she found the perfect cobalt blue dress (the dress was pretty hideous), cut panels for her jumper from it and now has this mod chic dress.

During the past year, Michelle has also gotten interested in head wraps. Her scarf collection is amazing and she adds jewelry, ornaments and sometimes more than one scarf. I love the drama that it creates!

I am always very happy when I find some architectural gem anywhere (the old art teacher is always there!). On the way to coffee I noticed this 3-D cement block wall. I ran my hand across it and had to have a picture with it.

I am coming off a three year spree of polish buying and have quite of few of red to orange shades. I thought Boudicca by Illamasqua matched this outfit. This polish glows on it’s own. This is intense red orange with orange and pink micro-flakes. lllamasqua makes a very high quality product and I find it on Hautelook when Illamasqua is a featured sale and that is quite often.

When Harrison is the photographer, I always reciprocate and take some skateboard pics of him. I guess the one is his “official” portrait of the post. I will add that his Gramps and I gave him this Revive board for Christmas. I about had a fit when I saw the bottom of it this weekend. I guess they get their war wounds.

Sequence shots using the sport speed on my Nikon 5100D.

This has been a long rambling post and it’s time to wrap things up. It has been a while since my last style post and I probably went a little crazy. Take care until next time.

Terri

Today, I am participating in The Style Crone’s Hat Attack HERE, Catherine’s #iwillwearwhatilike HERE, Patti’s Visible Monday HERE, Cherie’s Shoe and Tell Here, Color and Grace’s Fashion Link-UP Here, Shopping My Closet’s Style Me Wednesday HERE, Sydney Fashion Hunter’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE and Fashion Should Be Fun’s Friday Link Up Party HERE

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Over-Dressed-The Shockingly High Cost Of Cheap Fashion

This is a republication of a book review I did three years ago. I still think this is a very important book for anyone who wants to dress well with a conscience. As I mention in my original article, I remember when fashion was an investment and you made careful choices. Many of us learned to sew to dress for less and I still use this skill today. It is no longer a money saver but a great way for expression and self satisfaction. So here goes the original article……….

As someone long interested in design and fashion, I put Elizabeth L. Cline’s Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost Of Cheap Fashion on my “have to read” list just after its publication in June of 2012. Once in my hands, I could not put it down. Cline gave words to impressions that my heart suspected. When I was happily getting good deals for clothes at TJ Maxx or Target, my head ignored my heart’s vague discomfort. I didn’t care to think or know about what was behind those dramatically low prices.

Cline clarifies how those good deals were not only bad for me but for a lot of other people—and our earth.

Beginning about 1990, retailers began playing a sort of “Race To The Bottom” game. Retailers began moving their garment manufacturing mostly to China where workers were plentiful and wages were low. Manufacturing costs were so low that those retailers then had a marked competitive edge over domestic made goods.

Within about ten years, garment manufacturing in the United States essentially shut down. All the equipment was sold to companies mostly in China. Retailers were able to dramatically change how consumers shopped. Consumers began expecting low prices while accepting low quality.

Wall-Mart, Target, H and M, Forever 21, Ross, TJ Maxx and the like cleverly trained us to look for “what a great deal” rather than “what a beautiful and well made garment that I will want to wear for years.”

The change in mindset included no longer fitting or altering garments. It is just easier to throw away than to repair or alter. And throw away we do. There has been such a fluctuation in the used market of clothing that The Salvation Army and other thrifts can only used 20% of what is given to them. Much of what is donated is in too bad of shape for even the third world and is sold to second parties to turn them into rags. Five percent is not even fit for rags; about 41 million tons–is destined for landfills.

There has be a small glimmer of light. In recent years, manufacturing in China became more expensive. Smaller countries just don’t have the people or the set up to handle the massive undertaking involved in garment manufacturing. Thus a small number of companies have resorted to making some of their designs back in the old U.S.A. Carol Kane is one example. I am sure other nations have similar designers participating in similar movements.

I have noticed a surge of local designers being very visible in Kansas City. There have been various venues created for these talented people to show their work. Facebook and Instagram have been a great way to get the message out too.

What I Did

To sum up the next few paragraphs. My diet lasted for fourteen months. I fell of the wagon twice and made myself add a month for each time. It was a long haul. It’s interesting that I mentioned having more money to spend on nail polish. That turned into an obsession that I am just coming out of. I do much more thrift and consignment shopping than I use to. The quality in these two areas have improved dramatically in the US if you know where to look. I still shop at TJ Maxx and Marshalls but I have scaled it down. Two stores that I have not purchased a clothing item from since reading the book has been Walmart and Target. The quality just isn’t there for me.

I am lucky with one aspect. I was born in 1950 and remember a good product and not getting too much of that product. In lieu of that, my Mother taught me to sew. Those skills have not been forgotten or neglected. I have made a few things the last couple of years. I think I will be making a few more.

Two years ago the movement “The Great American Apparel Diet” was born. The rules are very simple. Do not buy any new clothes for a year. I have taken this pledge, which started April 12^th. So I have only been on this for a week. There are a few exceptions that I have made.

I can buy material (after I have used the stashed stuff) and any notions needed to finish these pieces. You don’t have to, but I am not buying shoes or bags for a year—with the exception of black flats (one weakness that I’m not going to give up).

I will keep updates on this blog. Refashioning is a new trend and I have plenty of stuff to refashion.I will also feature Michelle’s refashioning. She went to the thrift and bought quite a few promising outfits. I can’t wait to see what she turns them into.

Taking The Pledge With Me

When I vacationed in Florida, I loaned my book to my oldest daughter. When I returned, she decided to take the pledge with me. I have shown her a few things about sewing over the years and she has already completed a dress. Thank goodness for texting with photos. We re-cut a pattern using our IPhones and the dress fits her beautifully. Michelle has a closet full of thrifted articles that she is going to refashion and that will be an interesting thing to watch.

My New Linkup celebrating “New To Me Fashion”

Since this was the book that made me take a second look at charity shops, I wanted to republish this post and add a link to my new Linkup=2nd Loved 1 Friday which is starting this week. If you love “thrifting”, be it charity, consignment or vintage shops (brick and mortar or online) as we say in the states, this linkup is for you.

Do you want to find out more about my linkup?

This weeks post:-1st 2nd Loved 1 Friday entitles Red, White and Denim

My page explaining the 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup.

A year review of styles that I have put together using 2nd loved wear-Better Late Than Never.

Hope to see you there!

Some Good Links

Over-Dressed-The Shockingly High Cost Of Cheap Fashion

At this point you can get a used copy for about $8 which includes shipping.

The Great American Apparel Diet’s website

This project began in ’09. I feel that it is a pledge that anyone can take at any time. Mine started April 12th, so I am only three weeks into it.

The Refashionista Blog

Jillian Owens thrifts outfits and remakes them into chic and wearable fashion. It is full of inspiration.

The Good Guide–

Find products based on science and ethics. Clothing companies are also listed here based on their human relations.

An Interview with Elizabeth L. Cline by NPR’s On Point when her book was released.

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My Sew Sew Life-Draped Dolmen Top/McCall’s 6841

My title today is sightly tongue in cheek. I don’t consider myself a self made woman. I am who I am because of the people who have loved me and the people I have loved, my upbringing and the DNA handed down to me. But I will admit, I have gone my way on a few things, so I have a part in it too.

But, I did make my top and really like the way it turned out. The pattern is McCalls 6841 and was pretty easy to make. I realize this is from coming from an old seamstress.

When I was 10, my mother decided it would be a great idea for me to make a full housecoat (and I did it, but didn’t have a very good time). Four years after, I decided to sew a corduroy skirt on my own and and never stopped. It was like a fish taking to water. So, if you do your math, that makes 55 years. I’ve taken a few years off, but am finally getting back in the sewing of things.

My fabric was found online at Vogue Fabrics out of Chicago. It and Mood Fabrics are now my two main fabric sources. This is a rayon knit jersey in Bordeaux which is no longer available. I consider rayon a natural fabric (from plant cellulose) and its drape is fantastic.

A finally, the one thing that first attracted me to this pattern were the dolmen sleeves. I’ve haven’t gotten to wear those since the 80’s. YES, I love getting to wear them again.

I first paired the top with my Madewell jeans, and black suede boots (Adrian Vittadini) and a beautiful necklace made by my gorgeous daughter Rachelle.

Next, I wore it a little dressier (week day concert) and used black pants (another nifty thrifty) and black toned accessories. The pants are stretch and originally had quite flared legs. Out came the seam ripper and the sewing machine and I got the pants I wanted.

But it’s the Nine West flats that I finally got to wear! I loved them, bought them but they have always been a problem child as to matching them. It took me a while to get them to work. I always knew they were right for me and I just had to find the right look for them.

Still life with Burgundy, Deep Violet and Shalimar

I am afraid you are going to have to indulge me on this next one. I love the necklace my daughter made for me. She borrowed some silk noil (I use silk noil to make tweed yarns) that I had dyed and turned it into this piece. The birds and caged silk are so me.

Bells and Whistles

The Bell this time is OPI’s Black Cherry Chutney from the 2008 India Collection. I didn’t ever wear polish in ’08, so I have collected some India colors after the fact. This one does have shimmer, but the color is so dark it will be hard to see unless you are in bright sun. I love this super deep purple and it went perfectly with the color of my top, just a tad darker but of the same tone.

The Whistle is that great classic Shalimar. Shalimar was one of the first “great” fragrances that I owned and was in my forties when I had the urge to take it on. I had always heard the quote that not every woman could wear Shalimar. I decided I was old enough to be one of those women.

Jacques Guerlain created Shalimar in 1925. It has a base of sandalwood, ambergris, musk and civet. It was a tribute to the love story between Emperor SHAHJANAN and his wife Mumtaz Mahai. So began the oriental perfume. After she died at the age of 39 giving birth to their 14^th child, he was bereft and built the Taj Mahal.

When I first put it on it seems as it’s a fierce animal, “I am woman, hear me roar!”. The middle notes calm down some to this lush richness that I really love. I am going to continue this article elsewhere because most of you already know about Shalimar, and I can’t tell you anything new. But there are some wonderful quotes I found and so if you are interested, please click HERE. It will take you to my perfume page.

Rachelle, my youngest, was my photographer this time around and I though it was about time to feature her. This is Rachelle last Fall at Kansas City Fashion Week wearing LOD by Elodie Auvray, a Kansas City designer.

That a wrap for this time around. Take care,

Today, I am linking up with The Style Crones Hat Attack HERE, Patti’s Visible Monday Here, Catherine’s #iwillwearwhatilike Here and Cherie’s Shoe and Tell Here. – See more at: http://meadowtree.blogspot.com/#sthash.XVPaVUcw.dpuf

I’m linking up with Patti’s Visible Monday HERE, Catherine’s
#iwillwearwhatilike HERE, Cherie’s Shoe and Tell HERE,
Color and Grace’s Fashion Link-Up HERE,
and Sidney’s Fashion Forum’s Fresh Fashion Forum HERE and Dawn’s Fun Fashion Friday HERE.

Photography Credits:

Fashion Photos: Rachelle Gardner-Roe of Studio RM Gardner.
Nails and Still Life: Terri Gardner

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The Refashionista Blog

Jillian Owens thrifts outfits and remakes them into chic and wearable fashion. It is full of inspiration. The Good Guide–

Find products based on science and ethics. Clothing companies are also listed here based on their human relations. An Interview with Elizabeth L. Cline by NPR’s On Point when her book was released.

Jillian Owens thrifts outfits and remakes them into chic and wearable fashion. It is full of inspiration.

The Good Guide–

Find products based on science and ethics. Clothing companies are also listed here based on their human relations.

An Interview with Elizabeth L. Cline by NPR’s On Point when her book was released.