MeadowTree Perspectives

Forever Fierce-Individual Voices

Today, we are celebrating passionate women with the Forever Fierce Campaign 2018.

The word fierce may describe a way of behavior or a determination deep down inside you. Life occasionally throws curve-balls. It takes that gut fierceness to get through the rough, take the good with grace, and shine through.

For a life well-lived, one needs to care–even to be passionate about something–something that makes you tick, something that gets one up in the morning. One’s passion can change during a lifetime, but it still needs to be there.

I am sharing seven different women’s voices today with their own words. Each one has their own understanding on life, passion and, of course, what it means to be fierce. Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts to make this project happen. Each is truly inspirational!

Jeanette Knittel, 57, Kansas City, Missouri

Alvöru Clothing llc

alvoruclothing.com

Alvöru Clothing’s Facebook page

The first 49 years of my life, the word fierce evoked negative and dark emotions. That all changed after spending ten days watching my mother’s process of dying, not having a chance to grieve for over a year due to work/life obligations, a vindictive job firing, weekly trips to care for my father before I gave him my blessing to ‘leave me’ and join my mother, plus launch two businesses. Those pivotal 18 months changed my idea of fierce to one of knowing that I

Am strong;

Am not afraid to fight for what I believe is right or do the right thing;

Will pick up the pieces and keep going;

Will surround myself with other fierce women to build a strong tribes;

Will embrace the good and bad days – but know in my heart and soul that I’m OK;

Will relish the good and joy in life;

Will be secure in me…my FIERCENESS.

Barbara Fishman, 66, Kansas City, Missouri

Own Savvy Style.com

barbara@ownsavvystyle.com

I had a little girl dream. Growing up I always made my own clothes and dreamed of being a designer and owning my own boutique. My professional career and my mother’s advice took me in another direction. In my 40’s, I was a working mother and spent long hours working as a university professor and therapist in the field of psychiatry. At the end of the day I felt as thought I was giving my family the leftovers and not the best part of me. I was exhausted. As my children grew older, I started to thing about “what’s next?” I decided to take a fierce and bold step into the fashion world and began developing my skills as a personal stylist and etiquette coach. As the owner of Savvy Style I use my communication and leadership skills from my past profession to help individuals and corporations create their brand image.

While my friends are retiring, I feel like I am hitting my stride and living out my little girl dream.

Tana Gabrielle, 45, Henderson NV,

Christian health/lifestyle consulting

https://www.facebook.com/TanaGabrielleFitness

My expression of “fierce” is much different now at age 45 than it was in my 20’s or even 30’s. At a very young age, I found myself facing rare circumstances that shattered my dreams when I literally “lost my voice” after enduring 3 vocal surgeries. Around this time, I was putting a tremendous focus and effort on exterior pursuits in fitness competitions, modeling and even making my way as a single mom in strip clubs. The avenues I traveled came at a heavy cost, including a “healing crisis” with food, my body and my very identity. For me, this “midlife” shift came by hitting a humble bottom and being met with God’s transformational grace – which has since redefined my definition of beauty, freedom, and strength. At this point in my life, it’s grace by faith that makes me “fierce.” So at 45, the best is only yet to come!

Michelle Cahill, 43, Joplin, Missouri

Academy Veterinary Clinic FaceBook

Instagram–michelle_dvm99

I’ve been a practicing companion animal veterinarian for 19 years. The first 14 of those years I spent working for other people with little thought of practice ownership for myself. That changed five years ago when the perfect veterinary hospital for me practically fell into my lap. During the last five years I have learned who I truly am and the leader I can be. I am fierce in my love for my patients. I am fierce because I am the voice for those who have no voice. I am fierce because I have embraced an innovative approach to veterinary medicine, the Fear Free Method that values the physical AND emotional health of my patients. I believe this gentle and considerate approach to veterinary medicine is the future.

Tara Lee, 50-Waukesha, Wisconsin

Email: tfelten@waukesha.k12.wi.us

FB: https://www.facebook.com/taraleefelten

Business owner, Independence Facilitator, Mother to 4, Grandmother to be, Daughter of the King God has put you where you are for a purpose. Esther 4:13-14

Given the choice to despair, save only yourself, or wait on God’s intervention, there remains another choice. God placed you in position for purpose. Seize the moment and act.

While I may have earned the accolade of fierce years and victories ago, I lacked wisdom to glean the value of every moment. Challenges wouldn’t define me. Abuse, divorce, single mom to 4, a major move, breast cancer, and financial struggle were pieces of process. Respect the process.

My tapestry already was woven with confidence, compassion, and thirst for connection. Through the fire, I honed courage, convictions and need for community. The lone wolf will perish, but the pack survives. Grace reminds me to greet each day with an attitude of gratitude. I know that from every experience, I gain opportunity to encourage, strengthen and authentically empower others.

Email: tfelton@waukesha.k12.wi.us

FB: https://www.facebook.com/taraleefelten

Lady Jayne Fontaine, 63, Zimmerman, MN

Email: LadyJayneFontaine@gmail.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ladyjaynefontaine

“Ever since I was a girl, my dreams were shattered repeatedly through violence, lies and deception. Yet, I am Fierce in midlife, knowing that I brings courage, hope and inspiration to all I meet. My creative passions – her words, images and songs — allow me to teach the younger generation how to overcome and find truth. I faced the giants of mt life when I finally said enough is enough to trauma and won a MN Supreme Court decision.

To be Fierce is to know that I am called to love, to forgive and to walk in peace…that because of the God of Justice, I am not responsible to make anyone pay for what they have done to me. I share my faith through my stories, and I’ve discovered there is no choice but to be a fierce voice — our lives depend on it!

Aisha, 32- North Branch, MN

Email: aishavandy@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aishavandy

At 26, most people feel they are just beginning to live, but life as I knew it changed. Being fierce for me meant having to wake up every day and fight the enormous giant before me – with a strong desire to get back what was mine and come out on the other side of it triumphant. Lyme disease was my giant for 6 years, and it was a battle unlike any I’ve ever fought in. Yet, in order to live you have to fight, and that’s what I did. Now at 32, I’m standing on the other side of the battle with meaning and a victory stance! It’s a second chance at life, viewed with a new set of lenses. Fearlessness and boldness are attributes that have evolved within me because of Lyme; I’m excited to see where they will take me. As I move toward midlife, I’ll do so joyously fierce!

There are many other voices speaking for our Forever Fierce Campaign today and they all can be found HERE.

Thank you for dropping by. Take care and stay fierce!

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Red + Olive: a Complementary Collaboration

With the holidays approaching a few weeks ago, I wrote a post featuring a red Calvin Klein dress (link to that post HERE). Parts of the post were charts I created of colors that the experts in the book The Dress Doctors recommended to use with red (original Dress Doctor Post linked HERE).

Fellow blogger and astute reader Sally commented that she enjoyed the combination of red with olive green. Hmm…I did too. Strangely, the Dress Doctors didn’t have that combination on their list.

Would it be worthwhile to revisit the color red and mix it with the greens Sally and I liked? Would Sally like to do a post together on this combo of red and greens?

Well…yes!

Our first collaboration together, we have the other’s photos and comments in our posts. We have our own introductions and conclusions, while discussing our experiences with the project.

The Long and Short of It

Sally’s Style Thoughts:

When Terri suggested our red/olive collaboration, I decided I wanted to try as far as possible to stick to just those two colours.

So for my dress outfit I exchanged the long boots that would have been my natural choice, for these olive satin flats with gold ankle straps.

They perfectly match the cardigan I’m wearing, it was originally my daughter’s but I borrowed it and it has become a favourite. I love the long cuffs and big sleeves (the reason I’m standing hands on hips is so you can see them!)

The dress is short but with the very thick (100 denier) red tights it’s also nice and warm.

The long necklace is a vintage 40’s one, made from foiled strung beads and given to me years ago by my aunt, who sold antiques. The shorter one is a chain of rose quartz with an amethyst pendant, a gift from my daughter.

I liked this outfit so much; I wore it for the rest of the day…with the long boots.

Terri’s Style Thoughts

Before Sally and I discussed our collaboration, she shot me this photo of her dress.

Thinking about it for a bit, I realized I did have an olive green dress but it was really for spring. This was my maxi T-shirt dress from American Giant and I just needed to winterize it! My solution was a something I’ve used all season, which was just to throw my big red V-neck sweater over it. When I grabbed this oversized Gap sweater off the rack at Savers in early fall, I had no idea how much I would use it.

I like how the dress peeked through at the sweater’s neckline. It was a perfect style to wear my long Pendent by Georgina (part of her MCK line) again.

My Rebecca Minkoff suede boots finished the look off. It wasn’t cold enough the day Michael and I had our photo-shoot, but I have a pair of heavier leggings–three tones darker than the boots–if needed to keep my legs cozy.

I feel so comfy wearing this. I wore it while subbing for our school’s librarian last week. For me, it is just so easy to wear maxi dresses. I am going to use them more.

Aladdin Sane to a Damsel in distressVEST

I love the fact that Terri and I both thought of doing a fun outfit, a bit fancy dress. When I saw her Game of Thrones meets Sherwood Forest one, I loved it, especially the shoes.

I had decided to do a take on Aladdin; with big Palazzo style trousers in heavy jersey with a top layer in translucent crepe, joined at the bottom seam. I especially like the colour of these trousers, which is a rich cranberry red.

The olive coloured top is a second-hand find in a crossover style. It’s far too summery for this time of year but perfect for the summer.

The necklace is in a matching colour and is muti-stranded, wood and resin..

The shoes are suede flats and they match the trousers almost exactly.

Terri’s Style Thoughts

I knew I wanted to use my long green Ultrasuede vest for this collaboration. Found in a super clearance deal at Chico’s, I loved the cut, color and texture of it. Yet in the back of my mind, I thought it might be somewhat difficult to style. After a few failed attempts, I knew my hunch was right.

After getting everything on, I peeked into the mirror and was taken aback. It looked like a hybrid between Sherwood Forest and Game of Thrones! I wondered if I should change something because Sally was going to be shocked. Then she told me the next day that she had one that reminded her of Aladdin. I wasn’t worried after that. We both had a myth-literature thing going with our inspirations.

If I change out the shoes, there’s less drama. They are by Modern Vice and are made in the USA (New York City) and I usually wear them with jeans. I just like their swagger (those studs!).

Again, I used my red V-Neck sweater and threw in a red plaid scarf for good measure. My scarf is from some fabric that I remember my mother having for years (even when I was a kid). Occasionally, I’ve done a few things with it and had just a bit left. I cut as large of a square as I could and just fringed the edges, a no sew project.

You Say Jumper and I say Sweater but a Cardi Is Still a Cardi.

Sally’s Style Thoughts

When Terri asked if we use the term cardi in the Uk, I wondered why but it makes sense now. We both went long on this one!

Possibly my favourite outfit, I love mixing up masculine and feminine. Biker boots and floral dresses are the perfect team in my book.

So I’ve adapted the idea here, wearing patent red kitten heels and a long frilled, red cardigan with olive cargo pants and vest.

The big wooden beads strung on a leather thong are 80’s originals and they are simple and not too feminine for the look.

Terri’s Style Thoughts

I came up with this header when Sally sent me her photo in a long red cardigan. I chose to use a very long sweater (or jumper). I shot back a question, “Is a cardi still a cardi?” Sally said yes and a title was born!

Earlier this year, I was shopping with daughter Rachelle at Goodwill and picked up this sweater that caught my eye. She took a look and immediately said it was frumpy. Hmm….frumpy? I thought it had possibilities. I put it in the cart. While she was trying on some things, I found this red linen J-Jill blouse and just threw it in the cart too, without even trying it on and before she could say frumpy again.

When I got home and started putting things with the sweater, I had to agree just a little with her. But, I decided that if gathered it a bit up on each side, things just might get better. You can’t quite see the gathering in this photo, but I like the end results. The sweater has a nice wide neck that lets a lot of that red linen show. Again, I am using my brown jeggings.

I repeated my Rebecca Minkoff suede boots and my long Pendent by Georgina from the dress styling.

And Finally

This was a lot of fun for me. I’m glad Sally agreed to this little style adventure.

I think Sally was more of the purist. She kept it simple and used only red and olive. I love mixing browns and tans with reds and have always have used a bit of neutrals with greens too.

I was fascinated with the different directions we took but at the same time our general themes (dress, pants and fantasy) lined up. That made me smile.

Again, I was amazed how things meshed, even though we are a few miles from each other (4,353 according to Google). We couldn’t exactly meet over a cup of tea to chat and plot.

Would you wear olive and red? My eyes lit up when I saw that some of the dancers in the halftime show at the Super Bowl were wearing red and olive. So I guess you could say that we are on trend with some of Justin Timberlake’s backup dancers!

Timberlake’s dancers or not, Sally and I think it’s a striking color combination…and not just for Martini olives.

A Little More About Sally

Sally is the blogger behind Spicy Philosophy. I discovered her blog last June. From her interesting photos of thrift shop windows and observations about folk dancers while on vacation with her husband, I was hooked. Sally blends many things seamlessly into her writing along with a bit of her down to earth philosophy.

I am also a jewelry customer of Sally’s. Vintage jewelry and her own original designs may be found in her shop Moon Silver Jewelry on Etsy.

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about Sally. Earlier in January, I did a style steal based on her trench coat and great Fedora.

The links to all things Sally are below:

Spicy Philosophy (blog)

Moon Silver Jewelry (Sally’s Etsy shop)

My earlier post about Sally and Moon Silver Jewelry

That wraps it up for this week. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit next week, although it won’t be until a week from Monday. You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael took photos of me today and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Now it’s time for my 2nd Loved 1st Friday blurb!

The November 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup will stay open until February 28th.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

One item is quite OK—a hat, skirt, pants, shoes, purse, or a piece of jewelry. That item (or items) can be from a thrift shop, eBay, consignment shop, vintage boutique, one of the online consignment shops such as RealReal–or even something a friend gave you because they didn’t want it anymore.

When you do post, I would appreciate a description about your 2nd Loved item (or items), what type of shop you found it and what drew you to it. Tell as much or as little as you want. To be featured in my collage, which I will put on Instagram along with your links, you have to say what item is second loved. That is a “have to”.

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Wearing Asiatica & February’s Linkup

Last week, my beloved photographer accompanied me into Asiatica, a most unique and high-end retail store in Kansas City. The brilliant folks at Asiatica offer one-of-a-kind garments created from vintage Japanese kimono pieces, contemporary artisanal fabrics, and other luxurious textiles. Each piece is designed and stitched in Kansas City with superb craftsmanship for a garment with style and verve that could last for decades.

I own two pieces of Asiatica and wore one last week for our visit and am featuring it today. I was able to get my piece from eBay. Honestly, Asiatica doesn’t show up very often on the second hand market–which suggests to me that when a woman gets an Asiatica garment, she doesn’t let it go and wears it for the rest of her life. And then she passes it on, maybe, to a great-granddaughter.

What attracted me to my vest? Here’s a few:

It’s plaid and I love plaids
I can make black and grey work with anything
It just had one pocket for a bit of asymmetric
It has a bias band and so is the pocket
Long vests are just classic and can always be worn
This could be a four season piece

And, well, it’s an Asiatica. I knew I was getting something that would not fall apart.

My end goal is to eventually get a special piece at one of Asiatica’s biannual sale (one is going on now) but for a while, I will also keep my eyes on the second hand market.

Just a few words about the necklace: this simple, modern, graphite triangular porcelain pendant was created by Sydney Ross. Sydney is a sculptor with a degree in ceramics from the Kansas City Art Institute. She is the Gallery Coordinator for Belger Crane Yard Studios in Kansas City, Missouri, and designs jewelry and runs a business with her Mom. I really admire Sydney’s work and wanted this particular piece for a while. When I found my Asiatica vest, I just saw the two together!

Behind the showroom, Asiatica’s racks and racks of neatly rolled vintage Japanese fabric are almost unbelievable. A team from Asiatica has been going to Japan yearly for forty years, so they have a depth of variety of patterns, textures, colors and fabric type. Of course, I had to touch!

Elizabeth Wilson, owner and founder of Asiatica, immediately recognized that I was wearing one of their pieces. She took a look at the label to try and date my piece. We know it was made circa 2002.

Links for Wearing Asiatica & Monthly Linkup

Asiatica

Cydney Ross

I’ve started compiling a list of online consignment shops. If you have a favorite online shops, even if it is in another country rather than USA, tell me and I will add it to my list.

Internet Thrift and Consignment Shops

EU

ASOS Marketplace-British and home to independent brands and vintage boutiques

Beyond Retro-UK

DePop–offices in London, Milan and NYC

eBay

Etsy

Trendsales Danish

Vestiaire Collective-better and luxury brands

US

eBay anything and everything including fakes so you have to be careful

Etsy

Poshmark Shop you girlfriends’ closets. You can ask them questions and make offers.

Restitch Goodwill’s online resale site

The Real Real Luxury items and watch for reductions!

Thred Up-prices across the board with a little luxury sprinkled in.

Tradesy-better fashion and accessory brands (including luxury). The price tags are still a bit steep, but compared to retail, most items are a steal.

Union & Fifth-better brands and, of course, they have a selection of Chanel

Yoogi’s Closet-Luxury brands. specializes in bags.

That wraps it up for this week. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit next week. You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

It Time for the Linkup!

Now to the 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup. For inspiration, I’m again kicking it off with a collage of the wonderful slow fashion stylists that linked up last month.

I appreciate all of you who link up but to be in the collage you must link up with something you scored at a consignment shop, eBay, or a charity shop. This can be either in the comment section below, in your linkup title or in your post. I do read each post and try to find an item that you have gotten from a second hand source (which can even be a friend).

This month eleven bloggers linked up at least once, sometimes more than once with gems that they searched for and thought deserved a second life. I now give you…

Last Months Slow Fashion Stylists from the 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup

Starting from the top left and going clockwise:

Penny of Frugal Fashion Shopper -her IG is @frugalfashionshopper
Jodie of http://www.jtouchofstyle.com – her IG is @jtouchofstyle/
Charlotte of http://www.jtouchofstyle.com – her IG is @jtouchofstyle/
Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish-her IG is@ elegantlydressedandstylish
Rena of It’s all Fine. Whatever Tickles the Fancy-Her IG is @fine.whatev
Michelle and her IG is @seechele_styles
Anna of Mutton Years Style and I and her IG is @mutton_style
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style-her IG is @notdeadyetstyle
Emma of Style Splash-her IG is @thestylesplash
Maggie of Thriftshop Fashionistablog – her IG is @thriftshopfashionista/
Michelle of Shebee on the Edge and her IG is @shelbeeontheedge
Michelle and her IG is michelle_dvm99

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the linkup. Again, to be in the collage, the link title or in the blog, you have to mention what was pre-loved. I hope to see you at the link-up tomorrow!

The link up button is now on every post that I publish to make it easy for you to link up.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael gets credit for the photos of me and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Time for my usual link-up blurb!

It’s time for the February 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup which stays open until March 31st.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

One item is quite OK—a hat, skirt, pants, shoes, purse, or a piece of jewelry. That item (or items) can be from a thrift shop, eBay, consignment shop, vintage boutique, one of the online consignment shops such as The RealReal–or even something a friend gave you because they didn’t want it anymore.

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Catching Up With Sarah Nelsen-One Busy Designer

The Beginning

Have you ever noticed a simple, unassuming event that eventually pushed your life in a different direction? While thinking about writing this post, I realized there was such an event for me in June of 2015.

At that time, I wasn’t doing style or fashion blogging. The thought had not yet crossed my mind. I was, though–and I’ve have always been–interested in materials, design, and those who create magic using the two.

convo — *Visiting with Sarah when I went for my final fitting for my dress. I did make two changes from the original model. I wanted a side zipper and two inches added to the length.*

In June, 2015, my daughter Rachelle and I attended our first Kansas City designer pop-up event. We had been to Kansas City Fashion Week the previous Fall and thought we would enjoy seeing Kansas City designers in a more intimate setting, which included cocktails and nibbles (can’t go wrong there).

TheGir;s&I — Daughters Michelle, Rachelle, and I at Kansas City Fashion Week last Fall. I’m wearing Sarah’s vintage inspired cape style dress from her Strata collection (my favorite collection of hers). I didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last of the her pink fabric–so this is the last of this particular version for her. (I wonder if she might try this design in other color and fabric combinations.) I finished the look out with a pair of vintage sequined embellished gloves (eBay), a vintage pink rhinestone pin (ETSY) that I used as a pendent and one of my Anthony Luciano bags (eBay).

When we entered, I immediately noticed this pink and black vintage inspired dress on this lovely, young woman. The dress was designed and made by Sarah Nelsen, who was wearing it. After a brief conversation, I happily took one of her business cards, which pictured that dress. I pinned the card to my studio peg board. I really admired the design of Sarah’s dress.

At the Kansas City Crossroad’s SolaNoir Street + Creativity Eclipse Festival in August, 2017. This was the first time I wore my top. I’ve pretty much nicknames it The Solar. Sarah is wearing another dress from her Strata collection. With us is an up and coming designer, **Munisa of Munil**le de Vie.

I talked to other designers that evening and bought some items. That was the first time I had talked and bought from local designers. It felt really good.

It was that evening that put a thought in the back of my mind: time to change the focus of my blogging. I took the leap a few months later.

rachelleme — Rachelle and I together at a panel that she moderated for Women’s Equality Week last August. Rachelle’s jacket is also by Sarah. As one artist to another, Sarah kindly loaned Rachelle the jacket for the event. The jacket is from Sarah’s Decadent Collection. The architectural details on the jacket are amazing and don’t show up in this photo. You may get a closer look, if you wish, on Sarah’s site.

Learning About Sarah

Once I made the decision to focus on style, Sarah’s path kept crossing with mine. Now that I have a couple of creations by Sarah in my closet, maybe it is time to introduce my readers to Sarah Nelsen.

Even though Sarah’s mother taught Fashion Merchandising at Fontbonne University in Saint Louis, Missouri, Sarah didn’t originally see herself as a fashion designer. Instead, she pursued a graphic design degree at the University of Kansas.

SummerTryOn — Back in August, during a studio open house, I considered maybe taking home this top made from vintage fabric. As a seamstress myself, craftsmanship is very important to me; the bound seams and perfection of sewing impressed me. I felt like a million dollars when I tried it on and looked into the mirror. I really wanted this top to be in my closet. When I found out if was a one of a kind, well…that easily tipped the decision.

When she graduated, Sarah decided to stay in the Kansas City area and worked for various advertising agencies. But she found herself drawn to fashion design. She started taking fashion design classes in her spare time at Johnson County Community College. During a summer, she studied draping at the London School of Fashion. Eventually, she was freelancing in graphic design while giving more time to her passion for fashion.

TheMaterialofThings — As much as I love fabric and fiber, I had to include a pic of just a few gorgeous fabrics that Sarah has in her studio. I think Sarah has an eye for simple classic design carried out in lovely, sumptuous fabrics.

One of her first experiences with design was with costumes for Kansas City’s innovative dance company, Quixotic. Sarah participated in the 18th Street Fashion Show, an annual event that ran for several years.

Sarah just wrapped up a two year professional development residency with Rightfully Sewn. This program helps put local based designers on a practical path toward success.

DreamDress — Right now I am on a “No Buy” (I’m just trying to discipline myself to creatively use only what’s in my closet for awhile). When that “awhile” is finished, I have my eye on another dress from the Strata collection. Sarah’s designs just seem to flatter me and makes me look and feel great.

The Studio and Asiatica

Sarah now has a studio at the Livestock Trade Building in Kansas City’s West Bottoms where you will find her when she isn’t at her day job. For two years, she’s been a cutter and in charge of social media at Kansas City’s Asiatica. This is a dream job if you are someone like Sarah.

GoldenGala — Taking The Solar to the Posh. In December, 2017, Michael and I attended Rightfully Sewn’s Golden Gala that celebrated the six inaugural designers who participated in the Rightfully Sewn’s resident program. Sarah was one of the featured designers. (A side note: I did a little restyling on Solar’s sleeves–it was done by hand & can be easily removed. The wider sleeves just didn’t look right with a more elegant style and the smaller puffier sleeves were just perfect. When I wear it with pants again, it’s just snip-snip and back to its original self.)

At Asiatica, Sarah works with vintage Japanese fabric along with new on-the-bolt fabrics. She has to decide how the designs are going to fit once the fabric pieces together. Many times the vintage pieces have holes and blemishes. She has to figure out how to work a design around these imperfections to create drop dead gorgeous garments.

Sarah explaining what she does at a cutter. See that small piece of yellow tape, not far from my hand? That represents a hole in the vintage fabric. There were several other pieces of tape on these pieces. She must take the pattern and figure out how to make the design work with the chosen material.

In her studio, Sarah has two type of garments: those from previous collections (like my pink and black dress from the Strata collection) and one-of-a-kind garments that she has made (like my top Solar).

She has her own website and often has garments to purchase there. At the moment, there are also a few original designed pillows. All of her past collections are in her look-book. Well worth a look, I think.

admiring — Again, at Asiatica, looking over some of new designs that are soon going to show rooms and trunk shows throughout the United States. If you planning a trip to Kansas City, please consider visiting Asiatica’s showroom and try on a few of these amazing garments.

At this point, Sarah constructs each of her designs to suit you, the customer. Being a seamstress myself, craftsmanship is very important to me. Sarah’s craftwomanship is impeccable.

The experience of going in for fittings and having someone else make and sew a design that I loved, was a true pleasure.

Sarah’s designs make me look great and I feel amazing when I wear them. Isn’t that what fashion is about?

Three Great Sites to Check Out

Sarah Nelsen

Asiatica

Rightfully Sewn

I will close with a close up view of Solar.

That wraps it up for this week. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit early next week because this Friday is a 1st Friday and that means it will be time for a new 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup.

You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael, Rachelle and I took photos used in the post today. Michael does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

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The Beret-A Favorite Through the Decades

My affection for Berets started when I was 17 from the striking pictures of Faye Dunaway. Her cool, sophisticated, dangerous stare looked out from posters of the big movie that year (1967), “Bonnie and Clyde.”

Not as sultry a Faye, but it works for me. In this photo, I’m also showing off my new earrings by Michal Golan.

Archaeologists have found felt beret looking artifacts in tombs as early as the Bronze Age. As far back as 3000 BC, folks figured out what happened to sheep wool when the fibers were wet and rubbed together: the miracle of felt. Every farmer, shepard and peasant were able to have a wool type beret to keep their head warm. For centuries, the beret was the hat of choice for the lower classes. Artists such as Rembrandt painted many self portraits donned in a beret.

Rembrandt wearing one of his Berets in one of his many self portraits

I’m probably just a little bit happier here than Rembrandt.

Military

The beret took an important turn mid 19th century when an elite French group of the French Army, the Chasseurs Alpins, included light blue Berets as part of their uniform. Over the decades, other military organizations began using this simple wool hat. Britain during WWI adapted it for their tank corps. In the 1960’s, the United States Army’s special forces looked so great in their snappy berets they became known simly as the “Green Berets”.

collage — From top left and going clockwise: **A French Alpine Chasseur** **Alpin**s-Alpines.fr **Che Guevara-** Che Guevara at the funeral for the victims of the Coubre explosion. Photo taken on March 5, 1960 by Alberto Diaz Gutierrez (Alberto Korda)**, f**rom Museo Che Guevara, Havana, Cuba, **General Bernard Law Montgomery** or “Monty” with General Dwight D. Eisenhower , and **The Black Panthers**–Lonnie Wilson, untitled (Black Panthers at Alameda County Courthouse), July 14, 1968, Gelatine silver photograph, 14 x 9.5, the Oakland Tribute Collection, the Oakland Museum of California, gift of ANG newspapers

Revolutionary

During the ’60s, the black beret took on even more meaning as a symbol. Che Guevara will be forever immortalized wearing a black beret with the silver star. In the United States, the Black Panthers used the black beret as a symbol in fighting injustice with a strong voice.

Past, Present and Future

Getting a little make-believe and romantic look with my brown beret

I didn’t get to have a real felted beret in 1967 because my mother wasn’t big on buying ready-made clothes from stores for me. If I realy wanted something, I had to make it. She would usually get me patterns and material. So I made a beret substitute, called then a tam, short for tam-o’-shanter.

**I didn’t put the pom-poms on just made a material loop to try emulate the beret. I remember not really liking my skirt too well and only wore it a few times.**

Using this pattern, I could make a tam out of wool scraps. I always had a rainbow of lining colors on hand. As a side note, I remember making that kilt on the front out of peacock-blue wool. Sadly, those earlier endeavors, have been lost (darn moths).

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to own a few real berets. Until last year, I always just worn them unadorned. Last year I figured out that I could show off some of my pins with them for a little spice.

No pin on this one, but the deep red really jazzed up the black, didn’t it?

Flat like pancakes, a beret collection doesn’t take up much space. Just for fun, I threw in my vintage Poodle pins.

My oldest beret with one of my Pendleton 49ers coats.

I just like berets, you may have notced. I’ll share with you an ETSY shop that I am drooling over because they have twenty-nine different colors of berets. I’ve had this shop on my mind for over a year, but held off ordering (shipping brings me down).

The ETSY shop is Jedrzejko. Jedrzjko carries creative things like hat-forms for hat designers and other handmade items. But they have all those colors of Berets! Bottle green, raspberry, eggplant are just a few of the yummy colors they offer.

I should probably mention that there are many good sources on eBay for berets (where a few of mine originated). I see quite a few on Amazon too.

Almost the last Picture!-Berets just seem to go with most of what I have, from faux vintage fur jackets, modern leather, or highland plaid.

That vintage jacket was love at first sight!

Possible DIY

Most of you know I have quite a collection of woollies (sheep and Alpacas) on our farm and a fair amount of history with sewing, knitting, spinning yarn. Also, I’ve dabbled with very elementary felt making. While writing this post, I thought that I might be able to make my own beret and have already viewed a few beret felting videos. I don’t know when I will give this a try but will let everyone know when I do and how it turned out.

That wraps up my tribute to the small piece of felt that fits my head so nicely. Berets are very popular at the moment. There are chances you can find them about anywhere. I would encourage you to just check one out, try it on and see what you think.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael gets credit for the photos of me and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Time for my usual link-up blurb!

It’s time for the January’s 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup which stays open until January 31st.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Channeling Sally & Moon Silver Jewelry

When you write a blog you read blogs. Someone will make a comment on one of your posts; they have a blog so you jump over there and see what they have to say. This happens over and over until, before you know it, you’ve leapfrogged across the world.

Sometimes I stay with a blog, sometimes I don’t. Generally I’ve stayed with most and one of my favorites is Sally Evan’s Spicy Philosopher. In early December, Sally had a great photo of herself in a blue wool coat she owned for twenty-seven years and was wearing one awesome grey Fedora. I probably said,” Oh, my heavens,” (I say that a lot) because I have a similar blue coat that I wore often when I was still teaching. I don’t have an incredible grey Fedora like Sally’s, but I have a black one with lots of history. So I decided it was time to do A Style Steal.

I found my coat about ten years ago at a Florida thrift store, back in the days when I thought only Florida has great thrifts. Either Missouri’s stores got a lot better or I wasn’t looking hard enough. The wool coat (Jones of New York) was made in the USA, so that alone tells you how old it is.

The only wide brim Fedora I own is black but it was my Dad’s (the history) and he passed over twenty years ago. So I’ve taken care of it for awhile. I made the three interchangeable bands because the original one was just awful and I did want to wear his hat.

Everything else in the steal is more or less hit and miss. I added a bit of red with a scarf and don’t have have an everyday long black skirt so just went with black knee high boots. Our bags don’t have much in common. Trying a few, I ended up with what I call my Whirlwind bag by Tom Thomas.

That is my style steal. How do you think I did? Wearing this coat so much in the past, it was nice to get it on again.

Moon Silver Jewelry

Sally is also a jewelry maker. She introduced me to Sea Glass when she talked about hunting and finding it along Seaham Hall Beach in County Durham. I was smitten. I wanted something with Sea Glass in it.

Fortunately, Sally opened an ETSY shop to share and sell her creations. Needless to say, I jumped on that and now have a necklace that includes White Sea Glass and green Sea Glass earrings.

One Good Thing Deserves to be Paired With Another

I decided to pair my Sea Glass with another handmade item. This item is a wrap-around skirt designed and crafted by Michael Drummond, a St. Louis, Missouri, designer who made it pretty far on Project Runway eight years ago. I love Michael’s designs but that’s all I’m going to say about him because, quite honestly, I need to do a post on that young man (a good New Year’s resolution–one I can keep?).

I also added my “Counterpane” scarf that I designed and knitted. You can get a good view of the silk hatband that I made for Dad’s hat. It also has a vintage mother of pearl buckle that I found on eBay.

Maybe, the scarf was too much, but I do get cold when it is so cold outside.

Since I am a knitter, maybe you can understand why I really liked this wrap around skirt.

With my hair, it’s hard to see earrings, but i did have them on!

That wraps up my style steal and Sea Glass jewelry from Sally at Spicy Philosophy. I heartily recommend Sally’s blog for a great view on life. While I tend to focus only on fashion & style, Sally blends many things seamlessly into her writing. It is well worth a look.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael gets credit for the photos of me and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Time for my usual link-up blurb!

It’s time for the January’s 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup which stays open until January 31st.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Winter White Sweater Dress & 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup

Welcome to my first post of 2018. MeadowTree Style had its second birthday this week. Two years ago I decided to try my hand at blogging about style. I had no idea where this road would take me or if I would find my groove. But here I am just having a ball.

I am so grateful for the wonderful people I have met in and around my Kansas City sphere and around the world. My life has become so much richer by taking this small step. I want to say thank you to all my readers and my Instagram friends. You are a special group. I so appreciate you.

You may notice that the blog looks a bit different. I celebrated MeadowTree Style’s second birthday with a small upgrade for a new look.

A Sweater Dress

This Ellen Tracy sweater dress has been hanging in my closet for over a year. I picked it up on a whim at Joplin’s Salvation Army. I quickly tried it on, got home, hung it up and promptly forgot about it. Finally, the time came to see if I could do something with it.

So why did I decide to get this dress (and it was a pretty quick decision)? For starters, I didn’t own and still don’t own any other sweater dress. It’s entirely cabled front to back and I love cables. As a knitter, I’ve liked and knitted the cable styles. Also, I’m attracted to flared skirts. So between the cables and the flair, this dress just seemed a winner.

I’m always saying that a piece has to go with at least three things already in my closet and I like to have something that I can a least style three different ways. This is especially true if it’s a dress.

Cables Don’t Like Competition

I tried so many things with this dress and almost everything fell flat. It’s the happiest when I just go simple.

Finally, I decided on just using my Gorgina Herrera’s MCK’s Les Racines Roots Medallion Necklace. I’ve been relying on this pendent a lot since getting it during the late fall. It’s classy but artsy at the same time.

The Nine West d’Orsay pumps I picked for this first styling does make for a dressier look. I’ve had these for a while and am afraid the reptile print is sold out. However, I was able to find this style in solid colors on Amazon. I love d’Orsay shoes but this was my first pair ever!

Still Tried to Make Something Work

I just didn’t want to give up and throw in the towel with this dress. I have some brown cabled leggings and used another dress belt that it matched my leggings. Finally, I added some plaid Sam Edleman shoes that I picked up from Poshmark. I think this works but I do wish I could have come up with a third styling. Here’s to a challenge, eh!

New Faux Fur Jacket

But all I have to do is add my new vintage faux fur jacket from Goodwill, a cheetah scarf (also Goodwill), a vintage faux croc clutch, (vintage/antique shop-Hermann, MO) and I’m happy to go!

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know about this jacket because Rachelle took a picture of me at Joplin’s Goodwill about thirty seconds after I found it. This coat is originally from Seidenbach’s out of Tulsa. After a bit of research, I found that this upscale clothing store closed doors around 1964. As far as I’m concerned, this is a true vintage jacket and in pristine condition. It must have spent years in back of some lady’s closet. I was just lucky to be at the right place at the right time to get to put it in my closet. The price tag was $18 which I think was a deal for the gem it was.

I feel cozy and elegant and will wear this jacket with everything. I especially love it with jeans. What do you think? Would you wear a jacket that’s close to sixty years old?

That wraps it up for this week. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit next week. You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

It Time for the Linkup!

Now to the 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup. For inspiration, I’m again kicking it off with a collage of the wonderful slow fashion stylists that linked up last month.

This month eleven bloggers linked up at least once, sometimes more than once with gems that they searched for and thought deserved a second life. I now give you…

Last Months Slow Fashion Stylists from the 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup

Clockwise starting from the top left

Michelle of Shebee on the Edge
Charlotte of http://www.jtouchofstyle.com – her IG is @jtouchofstyle/
Nicole of High Lattitude Style – her IG is @highlatitudestyle/
Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish-her IG is@ elegantlydressedandstylish
Trina of Tipey Heelz-her IG is @tipseyheelzblogger
Rosie of The World Through Rosie Colored Glasses
Penny of Frugal Fashion Shopper -her IG is @frugalfashionshopper
Jess of Thrifty Clifty-her IG is @thriftyclifty
Emma of Style Splash-her IG is @thestylesplash
Jodie of http://www.jtouchofstyle.com – her IG is @jtouchofstyle/
Michelle and her IG is michelle_dvm99
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style-her IG is @notdeadyetstyle
Maggie of Thriftshop Fashionistablog – her IG is @thriftshopfashionista/

The link up button is now on every post that I publish to make it easy for you to link up.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael gets credit for the photos of me and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Time for my usual link-up blurb!

It’s time for the January’s 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup which stays open until January 31st.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Going For The Gold: Elegance In December Holidays

Can one have an elegant wardrobe for the holidays and still be on the Good-For-Planet-Earth road of slow fashion (look for well-made 2nd hand/make-it-yourself/buy from local designers or producers)? See what you think after the looks below.

In getting ready for a holiday get-together, casual or dressy, I’m inclined to pick silk, velvet, or beaded fabrics–and spice things somehow with gold. For this post, because I just love to take a pant look and make it super elegant, I’ll just feature ideas with pants.

Look #1: Casual Elegance

This is an Asian inspired theme, perhaps for a holiday causal get-together. I picked a satin over-blouse (found at Goodwill). I also have on a beaded and knitted silk top (Goodwill) under my shirt. I’m wearing some of my favorite pants (ditto Goodwill). These will be cloned when they wear out–I’ll make a pattern from them–so I can keep wearing them anew.

To accessorize I’ve chosen Gorgina Herrera’s MCK’s Les Racines Roots Medallion Necklace, a Carlos Falchi Fatto A Mano bag (eBay), and suede lace up flats by Candies Crazin lace up Gilly flats (Kohls).

Look #2: Vintage Hoari Statement

Have you ever thought about wearing a second hand Haori from Japan for a unique fashion statement? I have three that I have collected from eBay and always enjoy wearing them. This one is in a Shibori technique: when certain parts of the fabric are protected from the dying process. The maker of this one artfully left plant and leave images.

Other items in this look are black Caslon jeans from Nordstrom’s, a burgundy ChiChi layering top, Nine West burgundy suede and jeweled flats, and my Victoria Sling (merlot color not longer available) bag by Kansas City’s fabulous bag designer Dolyn Bags.

Look #3: Texture, Color & Bling

Talk about pattern and texture mixing! This jacket has it all! From Savers (a USA chain of thrift stores), I’ve had it since September and it has been perfect for the holidays. The black Mango jumpsuit (I’ve lost count how many times it has been on here) came from Poshmark. My Judith Leiber belt is from The RealReal.

I love this Judith Leiber belt! When I wear it, all my other jewelry are kept low key because this one sort of blasts it out of the park as far as bling.

The simple gold Asian inspired necklace/bracelet/earring set came from the Boston Museum of Art gift store. It was a very nice Christmas present from Michael some years ago. I will never cease loving these pieces. Some things are forever classic.

The clutch is from one of my favorite non-profits, Lions in Four, an amazing Kansas City based organization.

I really like my Jones New York Christie Suede pumps and wear them often. They are suede and in a open bootie style.

Look #4: Silky Brocade Metallic

For a bit, I thought this eBay sourced Juliana Collezione (eBay) was one of those “bad buys”. There were so many things I liked about this piece but I couldn’t find anything in my closet that went with it. I really liked the green and gold brocade fabric, the silk/rayon content, the amazing amount of piping, plus it was made in America. So it hung lonesome for a long time.

Last fall, I accidentally solved the problem when I made a pair of silk dupoine pants for Kansas City Fashion Week. The pants were created to pair with a up-cycled silk Sari (seen HERE), but they went perfectly as well with the green brocade jacket. I just had to add my dark gold metallic heels by Madeline, a gold metallic knitted top (Goodwill), and the Lions In Four clutch.

Look #5: Bling With Palazzo

I really fell for this Chico bolero sweater when I saw it at a Salvation Army store. Still, it was a bit pricey considering it was in 2nd hand setting. I took a couple of strolls around the store thinking about it. It looked like it had never been worn. I loved all the bling. I figured I had enough to wear with it from my closet…so I said yes!

(I might note here that this photo brought up some interesting conversations via Instagram about expectations. If I had seen this same sweater at an actual Chico’s shop, I would have snatched it up without even thinking. But because this obviously never worn sweater found itself at a charity shop, I had trouble plunking down the cash. Same sweater but with a completely different mind set.)

I chose my vintage gold silk with beads and sequins Escada blouse that I found on eBay in the early 2000’s. My Palazzo pants were made by me from a now discontinued Donna Karen Vogue pattern.

I carried out the gold theme with my vintage Rodo clam bag (eBay and Poshmark) which can be a clutch/chain bag (you can recess the chain to the inside if you want) and as Thursday, my dark gold metallic heels by Madeline.

Sourcing on the 2nd Hand Market

Signe of Use Less just came out with a wonderful new video talking about shopping and the European 2nd hand scene. As usual, she is very inspiring.

A Little Extra-December’s Golden Gala

In early December, Michael and I attended a fund raiser gala for Rightfully Sewn, a non-profit dear to my heart. Although not really a holiday function, for this fabulous gala we were able to mostly wear thrifted quality, made-it-myself, and locally made & designed.

Michael’s tux is a wool Brooks Brothers 2nd Loved that I found (eBay) a couple of years ago (when we attended our local PBS Downton Abby celebration, written about HERE.) His silk bow tie is my own pattern made after much trial and error from black silk scraps in my fabric stash. Also from the stash is his pocket square cut from old silk charmuese to a 10″ x 10″ square, hand hemmed, and then hand stitched a running stitch with black silk thread along the edges.

My gorgeous top is designed by one of the honorees of the event, Sarah Nelsen. I found the floor length velvet skirt at Salvation Army. It was a size 4 but I managed to size the waist up to fit me. This vintage Rodo clam clutch has been on here so much because, well, I think it is one of the most beautiful bags I own.

No one wears gloves these days but I decided it was about time to start. These vintage beaded and sequined cotton ones were found on eBay a few years ago. I think people were just surprised to see them: I got a lot of compliments! I definitely recommend wearing a pair of gloves if you want to make a style statement.

That wraps it up for this week. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit in two weeks. We’re taking a little break for a couple of weeks and will be back for January’s 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup.

You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael gets credit for the photos (except the last courtesy of Rightfully Sewn) and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Now it’s time for my 2nd Loved 1st Friday blurb!

December’s 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup will stay open until December 31st.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

One item is quite OK—a hat, skirt, pants, shoes, purse, or a piece of jewelry. That item (or items) can be from a thrift shop, eBay, consignment shop, vintage boutique, one of the online consignment shops such as Poshmark or The RealReal–or even something a friend gave you because they didn’t want it anymore.

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun. Even better, you can find some great new creative bloggers.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Red Fit and Flair

We all have our LBDs but do you have your little red dress? I’ve been having fun styling my red fit and flair lined dress by Calvin Klein. It’s always a favorite of mine for special events. This dress has twenty-four gores–can really swish & swing–and is so much fun to wear.

Using three stylings, I took my LRD from dressy to casual. Everything was shopped from my closet. I was determined today not to use black with this dress because, well, I just felt like it.

Act 1-Dramatic But Simple

Pearls always dress up the occasion. Could it be that I thought the bigger the better? I have a few normal pearl necklaces. However, when I saw these big pearl beads on sale for half price at Joanne’s fabric store, I decided that I needed one more pearl necklace. It took me a while to get around making it, but I think it’s quite fun and really makes a statement of,”Yes, I like pearls!”. I know what you are thinking,”those look heavy.” They are heavier than a normal pair of pearls but not that bad.

The shoes I chose for Act 1 are some cork and rose gold toned very high heels from Badgley Mischka. I picked these up a couple of years ago from eBay because I fell in love with the idea of cork shoes but didn’t realize how high they were. These are probably the highest heels I have but I can walk in them just fine. However, I don’t think I would spend a day shopping in these babies. I call these kind of shoes my “symphony” shoes because you spend most of your time sitting down at the symphony.

I carried the pearl idea out with a normal sized pearl bracelet and the gold was followed through with another bracelet and a vintage Rodo clam shell clutch.

Act 2-Playing Red Against Neutrals

I’ve been playing red against beige, brown and camel a lot this season. This is a look that I actually did wear to the symphony. It’s still dressy and the red is balanced out with three neutral players. This was done by adding a cream colored thrifted silk look polyester shrug, beige patent leather Nine West heels and a vintage cream Rodo bag. The jewelry was kept very simple with a few small gold pieces.

Act 3-The Experimental

Could navy be my new black? I was intrigued if I could interpret my dress as a skirt, add a cardigan and go for something a bit more casual. What do you think? Although, I could see this look in my mind, I didn’t put it together until right before we took the photo shoot.

The silk cardigan is by Pendleton. Back in the early 2000’s we took a trip to Oregon and being a wool fanatic, I made sure we visited Pendleton’s factory and mill in Pendleton, Oregon (where else?). I did come home with some nice wool pieces but this navy silk cardigan came home too. Of course, this cardigan isn’t available anymore, but you can find something similiar HERE.

The neckline of my dress peeked over the cardigan edge so this gave me a chance to throw on a silk jewel toned thrifted paisley scarf.

I chose my cobalt patent leather Leo clutch by Rebecca Minkoff. I’ve talked about my affection for Leos before. They are simple, versatile and during a clearance sale, very reasonable in price. This Leo design was closed out last year but she makes Leos in so many colorways and textures. It’s a virtual Leo garden on her online store.

The shoes are Nine West’s Raheza heels.The navy smooth leather is no longer available but you can still get these shoes in a neutral, black and dark grey suede.

My most important accessory probably are my glasses because I am as blind as a bat and have been that way since the fifth grade. I have soft contacts and wear them on special occasions but I do, I also have to use a pair of reading glasses .

I think glasses with transition lenses are perfect. They are like built in sun glasses. When outside, these get much darker than any of my sunnies.

Instagram Focus

This photo was taken a year ago last September at the symphony. If you notice, I wore the cuffs down rather than up.

Salvation Army’s Consignment Shop

My Calvin Klein dress was hanging forever at Joplin’s Salvation Army. This Salvation Army store is unique in that it has a mini shop within its larger store. The little shop is just for better quality items and they charge better quality prices. I probably overpaid for this dress but it just looked great and, at the time, I didn’t have a red dress. The price was $40 ( I know, very high for Salvation Army) but I don’t think it had ever been worn (or once at the most). The first time I saw it I didn’t grab it but I went back a month later and it was still there. For me, that was a sign.

You can still find this great dress on Amazon and in regular and plus sizes and pick it up for all your holiday events! Check it out. They also have it in navy and black.

Amazon-$89

What Colors To Wear With Red According To The Dress Doctors

A while ago, I read and reviewed the book, The Lost Art of Dress; The Women Who Once MadeAmerica Stylish by Linda Przybyszewski,

I was so taken by The Dress Doctors, I created color charts from the their ideas and decided this would be a good time to re-share the red charts.

These color combinations were suggested a few decades ago but color theory doesn’t change that much. I think these charts could be helpful for a novice trying to figure out color schemes. I will note that I already break their rules because I love mixing tan, camel and brown with my red.

In case you want to check out the other colors (black, navy, brown, and green), there is a tab for them on the top menu.

That wraps it up for this week. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit next week. You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

Something Extra

It’s been a while since I’ve created a still-life and had a bug today to create one. So here are a few items that I used in today’s post. I think it’s the only way to show the gold flecks on these shoes and that’s what really made me fall for them. Also, you can see how I lessen the weight on my pearl necklace by adding smaller beads in the back.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael gets credit for the photos of me and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Now it’s time for my 2nd Loved 1st Friday blurb!

December’s 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup will stay open until December 32st..

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun. Even better, you can find some great new creative bloggers.

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The One I Almost Left Behind & 2nd Loved 1st Friday Link-Up

About fifteen years ago, I was rummaging through my favorite local flea market (still my favorite). I usually went there then to find vintage glass and kitchen ware. However, on that summer day, I saw two Pendleton 49’ers hanging in a back booth, both in good condition and each only $5! I grabbed the one I really liked, a brown and butter-yellow plaid, and left the red and blue, lonesome on the wall. After getting home, I regretted that I didn’t take it as well. Next morning, I drove the thirty miles back to get it. It was still there, and I’m so happy I got it.

Now this vintage 49’er is my official holiday Pendleton. I just wore it for Thanksgiving with our family. With the 49’er here, I am wearing my thrifted (Goodwill) White House/Black Market flared jeans, a Coach bag, and a pair of Born black ankle boots. I’ve had these boots for about ten years and they are the most comfortable boots I own–and they still look new. Because of this pair, I am surprised I don’t own more Born shoes. If Born shoes hold up like these boots, they are one fantastic shoe company.

The 49er’s

Below are my three vintage 49’ers. The top left was given to me by my mother-in-law before she passed. She had worn this jacket for as long as I had know her. When I showed up in one of my vintage ones, she made sure I had hers as a remembrance.

Pendleton brought back the 49’s a few years ago slightly restyled. I do have one of those and did a post on it last January.

A bit of 49er history

Pendleton introduced the 49’er back in 1949. After market research, they concluded American women were ready for wool sportswear and introduced a small line of five items. The line was a success. But the interest in the iconic Pendleton jacket was especially good. No one is going to tell their story better than Pendleton HERE. I love vintage ads and Pentleton’s post has some gorgeous ones along with a great history of the 49’ers. The first 49’er was sewn by the designer Berte Wiechmann, who based her design on Pendleton’s mens’ shirts. She was very particular about the buttons and would only use a black shell button from Australia and Tahiti. In 1956 alone, they used $150,000 worth of buttons for the jackets!

Another good place to go for all things Pendleton, and really all things vintage sportswear, is The Vintage Traveler. Lizzie Bramlet, also a retired teacher and collector of vintage sportswear, is very knowledgeable. She is one of my favorite bloggers in this area.

Finding Your Own 49’er

At the moment Pendleton these two 49’ers on sale for $138 each.

You can find a vintage 49er on eBay for around $40-$50.

The one below is on eBay now and has a 40″ bust measurement. These jackets are wool and I would grill the seller about any moth holes or other imperfections just to be on the safe side.

You can also find authentic 49’ers on Poshmark.

Instagram Focus

The look below is perfectly at home in this 2nd Loved post. I wore this last week and was my Instagram post. My Sanctuary Clothing vest, Merino Pendleton sweater, brown leggings were all found second hand on eBay. My Marc Jacob sunnies were from The RealReal. The two “new to me” items are my Coach bag and the Nine West Vintage Americana boots.

Now to the 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup. For inspiration, I’m again kicking it off with a collage of the wonderful slow fashion stylists that linked up last month. We still have just eleven and I am brainstorming on how to get the word out about the slow fashion movement. I so appreciate those of you who have taken time and effort for this important part of the fashion community.

I appreciate all of you who link up but to be in the collage you must link up with something you scored at a consignment shop, eBay, or a charity shop.

This month thirteen bloggers linked up at least once, sometimes more than once with gems that they searched for and thought deserved a second life. I now give you…

Last Months Slow Fashion Stylists from the 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup

Charlotte of http://www.jtouchofstyle.com – her IG is @jtouchofstyle/
Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish-her IG is@ elegantlydressedandstylish
Maggie of Thriftshop Fashionistablog – her IG is @thriftshopfashionista/
Jodie of http://www.jtouchofstyle.com – her IG is @jtouchofstyle/
Mary of The Pouting Pensioner -her IG is @thepountingpensioner
Trina of Tipey Heelz-her IG is @tipseyheelzblogger
Michelle and her IG is @seechele_styles
Sally of Spicy Philosophy
Nicole of High Lattitude Style – her IG is @highlatitudestyle/
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style-her IG is @notdeadyetstyle
Penny of Frugal Fashion Shopper -her IG is @frugalfashionshopper

The link up button is now on every post that I publish to make it easy for you to link up.

And Something Extra

#thriftedchicstylechallenge

With my emphasis on slow fashion here on the blog, I’ve wanted to participate in something along that line on Instagram. This month I got my wish. Michelle of seechele_styles sponsors as thrifted challenge every month and this month she is letting me be one of the guess hosts. If you are on IG, check out Michelle and join the fun. You just have to tag you 2nd Loved fashions with #thriftedchicstylechallenge and there is always a prize for this one.

That wraps it up for this week. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll have another blog bit next week. You are certainly welcome to leave a comment or two or three. I love to hear from you.

I link up with some great blogs every week. To see who they are go HERE.

Husband Michael gets credit for the photos of me and does a bit of editing from time to time.

Again, thanks for stopping by. Take care……..

Time for my usual link-up blurb!

It’s time for the December’s 2nd Loved 1st Friday Linkup which stays open until December 31st.

Any post on a blog, Instagram, Facebook or the like can linkup to this style celebration. If you can copy and paste the URL in the Linky box, you are good to go!

If you have never participated in a linkup before, no fear. Go to Linkup 101 guide that is found on my 2^nd Loved 1^st Friday linkup page (also found at the top in the tab section).

Just click the frog below to link up and join the fun!

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