A Fall Outfit For A Boat Ride

If you are looking for the Ageless Style Link Up I regret to inform you that the ladies in the group decided to call it quits.  I was not part of that decision and I was extremely disappointed the ladies did not want to do it anymore.  I feel way too many link ups are ending and the reasons for them ending just make no sense at all to me.  I was so excited to join the group, and I think I only participated in three challenges, and suddenly after years, they want to fold.  It made me wonder "Was it me?".  Oh well.  I'd start my own link up but I always struggled with the link up codes.  I just don't have the technical skills.  But if there is any other over-40 fashion link up group that's wants a new blogger....I'm free!

I will be honest, ever since Covid, my fashion days came to an end.  Because everything seems to be cancelled, other than grocery shopping and hiking, I mostly seem to be wearing activewear.  I have not purchased one new piece of clothing in six months other than a $25.00 dress for a wedding and lots of face masks/neck gaiters.  Since our activities are so limited now, my husband and I have been doing a lot of outdoor activities. I did have to buy new activewear when we had a sudden cold spell hit Wisconsin and got dumped with a record breaking six inches of snow.  Due to this unexpected cold, I had to find activewear to keep me toasty warm while hiking.  I tried Under Armour Cold Gear and just loved it!  I hope to do an active wear fashion post soon.

In the meantime, I wanted to show you an outfit I wore to the Wisconsin Dells and a Dells Boat Tour the next day.

The evening before our boat ride it was a gorgeous, sunny, warm 65 degrees.  We walked around the downtown Dells area and took these beautiful pictures as the sun set.  It was so romantic.

I always check the weather and it was supposed to be warm all weekend, so I only brought this one outfit plus my active wear.  Well, to our surprise (and everyone else's in the Dells area) the next day the temperatures never got out of the 40's so I was very ill-prepared for a Dells Boat tour.

On the sunny, warm day before the boat tour I was able to just wear a rust tee with a camel cardigan.  The bottoms are jean leggings from Stitch Fix, and I wore camel booties on my feet.  The camel infinity scarf is actually a neck gaiter to meet Covid restrictions.  I am not one of those people who is terrified of getting Covid.  I believe in the sovereignty of God and what will happen will happen.  I trust Him for my protection and if He chooses to allow me to get the disease, I trust that is His will.  For me, the neck gaiters work the best.  I can wear it as a scarf around my neck, and they are easy peasy to pull up when I need to enter a building.  So I have collected a lot of them, and when Covid ends, I can still use them as infinity scarves.

This is one of my favorite cardigans.  I love thin knits that don't add a lot of bulk to my frame.  The color works with so many of my outfits and I like the length.

As I said earlier, everything in this outfit is old as I'm not buying new clothes during Covid but I will link to something similar at the end of the post.

Because the next morning was so cold, I had to amend my outfit slightly.  What I really needed was a parka, but unfortunately I didn't bring one.  So to stay a little warmer I put my black activewear jacket on underneath my cardigan.  It's so thin, it fit without looking bulky.  Thankfully,  I did have the foresight to bring a blanket scarf so I threw that over my shoulders.  Scarves are such great additions when traveling.  Always bring a scarf when you travel...they can be lifesavers if the weather changes suddenly, and they take up such little space in your luggage.  In this picture, I left the scarf untied, but the wind from the boat kept blowing it off, so I eventually tied it in a knot in front as you will see in the next picture.

I'm still loving my brown hobo bag that was a present from my son.  It's so big and roomy and the brown color is so fashionable right now.

Here is what the scarf looked like from the back.  Yea, I know, you're probably all wondering what I'm looking at.  But you'll have to wait till my next travel post to find out!

Rust Tee Shirt (old, TJMaxx, similar HERE), Beige Cardigan (old, TJMaxx, similar HERE),  Jeggings (old, Stitch Fix, similar HERE), Beige Booties (old, DSW, similar HERE), Blanket Scarf (old, similar HERE), and Brown Cognac Bag (exact one still available HERE).

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

 

Stitch Fix #21: Tie Neck Peasant Top

Yea,  I am back with a fashion post!   For those that didn't notice me missing, my DSLR broke and I had to send it to the manufacturer for repairs.  They did a great job, and it is working perfectly now.  It was still under warranty, so the only cost I had to pay for was shipping and insurance one way.  I got my camera back just in time for a weekend getaway to the Wisconsin Dells with the kids;  which I will share on Wednesday's travel post.  

For my very first fashion post since my hiatus, I am excited to share the first item from my 21st Stitch Fix Box:  this unique and pretty top.  As I write this post, I'm still deciding what to keep and what to send back.  This top is a definite keeper and was my absolute favorite piece in the Fix.  The rest, I'm still thinking about.  

The top is by Skies Are Blue and is called "Finnie Tie Neck Peasant Top".  I am wearing a size Medium.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this top!  It is so unique!  It reminds me of something I'd find abroad on vacation.  I'd never find a top like this in any stores in my neck of the woods, and that's one of the main reasons I do Stitch Fix:  to find items unavailable in my local mall.

I really like the fit and cut.  It's loose in the waist with a peplum bottom.  It has cute belle sleeves.  I love the print above the flare in the sleeves.

I chose the mustard yellow bag (old) because I thought it went with the gold in the top.  But for whatever reason, the purse photographed a lighter yellow.  I wore this dull gold bracelet to again bring out the gold in the top.

In addition to the pretty print, the top also has burgundy embroidery down the front and a tie neck line.

The colors in this top are so pretty for fall.  I think it will look really pretty in winter with a cardigan too.

For shoes I went with my burgundy suede booties from DSW (old, but still available HERE).

There's so many different colors in this top, I could have worn it with several different bottoms, but ultimately I decided to go with these medium blue skinny jeans from Charlotte Russe (old).

 So what do you think?  Do you love this top as much as I do?  I'd love to hear from you!

If you always wanted to try Stitch Fix but haven't made the leap, use my referral code HERE to save $25.00 off your first box!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

New Embroidered Jeans!

Before I begin, I apologize for the bad photography.  My new DSLR was in the shop all week to have some repairs done so I had to use my IPhone.  But, it's not suppose to be about the photography, but the fashion, right?

Today I'm sharing an outfit I wore on my usual "Amy's Day Out"  ha ha;  that's what my husband calls it, as it's the one day of the week I leave my house other than Sundays.   My usual day starts with a ladies bible study at my church, shopping, a meet up with my husband for lunch, and then home or more shopping.  Sometimes I meet with a close friend, get my hair done, or other appointments.  So, whatever I wear, it has to be comfy as it will be a long, eventful day.

On the day I wore this outfit, it was in the 50's and drizzly.  

I wore an embroidered top from Stitch Fix (old), my new suede jacket from Stitch Fix (just got it in last month's Fix, see this post if you missed it), embroidered jeans with a frayed hem, and open toe booties.  

My embroidered jeans are one of five pair of jeans I picked up at our Younker's "Going Out Of Business Sale".  I really got some sweet deals.  The prices I paid for my jeans ranged from $3.33 to $16.00.  I've already shown you my Pom Pom Jeans and Pearl Embellished Jeans that I purchased from that sale, and now I get to show you this pretty embroidered pair.  Isn't the embroidery pretty?  I love the colors.  It's embroidered on both legs, one leg has a large embroidered patch on the outer thigh, and the other leg has a smaller embroidered patch near the lower calf.

I love the raw hem on the jeans.  I really like this trend.  My shoes are new this season, I got them from DSW.  They are called Unisa Pryce Sandal.

If I remember to photograph myself before I leave for the day, I post my outfit to Instagram Stories.

I thought my Straw Studios Fringe Tote from DSW would go great with this outfit as it echoed the soft neutral palette.

 I received this embroidered top from Stitch Fix in 2015 and it's one of my favorite pieces in my closet. It's also one of the best items I ever got from Stitch Fix.   I've gotten so much use out of it over the years.  I just love the gauze fabric, the embroidery, the neutral color, and the cut of the top.  It suits my body perfectly and this top goes with everything.  It was worth every penny!  Stitch Fix may be expensive, but if you're careful and keep just the right pieces, they can last you a very long time.

For jewelry, I chose this simple choker.  I felt there was already a lot going on in the top and with all the zippers on the coat, so the choker was the only thing needed.  The choker color is very similar to the color of the coat, and I like the cute star charm.

Well I got my camera back yesterday and it appears to be working.  Hopefully, I'll be back in business   with some better pictures next week!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

Grandma & Me: "Chasing After Alethea In A Farmer's Field"

Alethea, as beautiful as she is, has absolutely no idea how to model.  When I look at these photos I can't stop laughing!  She was such a handful this day.  Just picture this 55 year old granny wearing high heels in a soggy farmer's field chasing after a one year old with the photographer not far behind trying to capture the "perfect photo."  To any on-looker, it must have been hysterical.  Yet somehow, because we always let Alethea just be Alethea,  these pictures turned out beautiful.  We've learned the trick to photographing toddlers is to put the camera on "Sport" and click away.  About 300 pictures later, you have at least 8 to 10 "perfect" pictures.  haha!  Thank God for digital photography.  You couldn't do that 20 years ago with film!

On this day, my darling granddaughter and I are modeling transitional fall fashion.  For many of you, it's still warm even though the calendar says it is officially fall.  We finally cooled off here in Wisconsin.  We started our wood stove, our only source of heat, for the first time on Sunday when the indoor house temperatures was only 50 degrees.  I know some of you are like "What?  Only  50 degrees in your house?".  Yup, with wood stove heat if you start the stove too early in the year, the house can get too hot, (up to 80 or 90 degrees), so you really have to wait till summer is officially over and the house has cooled down substantially before you start it up.

So, because so many of you are still experiencing warm temps, I actually picked out a summer dress from my closet and styled it for fall.  It is a very old burgundy short sleeve burgundy shift dress from Charming Charles that I've probably shown on this blog at least a dozen times already.  This time, I styled it for fall by adding a navy scarf, a beige cardigan, and open-toe booties (all old or no longer available).  I carried a straw blue and beige tote from DSW.

Alethea is wearing this cute matching blue and burgundy set.  Her bottoms are a solid burgundy and her top is a cute print with a navy background.  She wore black/brown shoes for footwear.

I absolutely love this picture because it's typical Alethea.  She's thinking "I'm free!  I'm free!" and is off to run and explore something new.

Oh what a day!  By the time we were done with this photo shoot Alethea's knees were covered in mud, and both our shoes were ruined.  But, with a little scrubbing, I managed to save them.

I love open toe booties for transitional seasons.  You get the look of a bootie without the heat.  The same with cardigans and scarves.  They can be added in the morning and evening when it's cooler, and taken off so easily during the heat of the day.

Alethea lives in a big city.  I was wondering what she was thinking of all this wide open space as far as the eye can see.

And because so many of you love when I show how I styled the same piece in other ways, here are a few more examples of other ways I wore this same dress.

With a black cardigan and flats.

With a head scarf and lace up ballet flats.

With a denim vest and lace up wedges.

With a long cardigan, a felt hat, and open toe booties.

See how much you can do with one solid color shift dress?  Shift dresses are the perfect bases for layering.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

Grandma & Me: Discovering Grandma's Garden

I am so excited to share this month's "Grandma & Me" fashion post with you because it's the first time I was really able to show Alethea my perennial garden.  It's a dream of mine, to share my garden with Alethea.  I want her to remember coming over to Grandma & Grandpa's house every summer and see all the flower gardens and have fond memories of those visits.  I want her to have "special flowers" that she loves because she remembers seeing them in my garden:  like purple coneflowers, black-eyed-Susan's, and iris.  Someday I hope to plant a "Fairy Garden" with her.  I hope she will be as enthusiastic about my garden as I am in sharing it with her.

Even though it was a warm August day when these photos were taken, we dressed up for fall since I knew they would be posted in September.  It was a good thing we had on all these layers because the mosquitoes were awful.  Poor Alethea got some bites on her face, and my daughter, the photographer really got bit up because she was wearing summer clothing.

For Alethea's fall outfit, she wore a denim dress, chambray sneakers, and a blue hair bow.  An over-sized mustard yellow cardigan completed the outfit.  If you can only buy one knew item this year for your fall wardrobe, I highly recommend something in mustard yellow.  It is this season's "it" color.  Every store I've shopped is spilling over in mustard yellow.

For my outfit, I actually wore a mustard yellow skirt I showed you before in THIS POST.  When I bought this skirt, I knew it would work great in the fall as well as the summer.  Here I paired it with a long sleeve white embroidered shirt (Stitch Fix, old), a denim vest (Target, old), a straw hat (H&M, bought this spring), and a new pair of open-toed booties from DSW.

Alethea's first visit to my garden was fascinating to me.  On the one hand, she seemed so excited to see all the flowers, trees, and shrubs.  On the other hand, she seemed very apprehensive.  She is so little, that everything is so HUGE to her.  I'm sure she felt like she was in some strange new world, or how I would feel if I were in the Amazon forest.   She also just learned to walk, and found walking on wood chips a bit unsteady for her.

She just loved peeking around every corner wondering what was around every bend.

I tried to point out certain flowers I knew she loved, liked Purple Coneflowers.  She always likes to touch their centers and feel the unique texture.

This picture really shows how tiny Alethea is and how this "garden world" must have seemed to big to her.  This is a Viburnum bush.  I have to literally get down on my hands and knees when weeding under this bush, but Alethea can stand underneath it!

Alethea loves to pick things off the ground (most of the time it's something she shouldn't be picking up!).  She found a pine cone and was so fascinated with it she couldn't let it out of her grasp for the rest of the photo shoot.  And of course she got sticky sap all over her hands!  haha!

Isn't this chambray head bow with white polka dots just the cutest?   Normally, she rips head bows right off her head, but on this day she was so distracted by everything around her, she had no idea it was even on her head.

Even though Alethea's first experience in my garden was for a fashion photo shoot, I sure enjoyed showing her around.  I can't wait till she's a little older, and we can start planting things together.

Oh, I just love her to pieces!  What a little treasure she is!

All these flower pictures remind me of how tiny she is.  Most of the flowers are around two to three feet tall, and yet they tower over her.  No wonder she was a bit apprehensive!

Here we are looking at the pine cones in the pine trees that haven't dropped yet.  Gardens are such great places to teach children about life and it's all stages.

Still so fascinated with that pine cone! 😊

For jewelry, I chose a multi-colored, multi-strand, stone beaded bracelet.

My bag is new this season.  I spied it earlier in the season, but I waited till the end of the season to buy it on clearance, and with coupon.  So I ended up getting it for around $10.00 from DSW.  I was more patient about waiting for this bag than I usually am because I already owned a straw bag and really didn't need another one.  I was just drawn to this one for the round handle and I liked that it had a liner that zipped close.  My other straw bag doesn't have that feature.  This one is also beige and blue and my other one is brown and beige.  It's still available HERE and on sale, but not as inexpensively as I paid for it.

For a necklace, I chose this brown, white, gold beaded one from my collection.

And I'm so excited to show you my new shoes, which you will be seeing in many fall fashion posts to come.  I absolutely love open booties for the summer-to-fall transitional season.  You get the look of fall without the heat of a traditional bootie.  I bought these on clearance for less than $30 at DSW.  I can't find this exact pair on their website anymore, but THIS ONE is almost identical.

Look how big this daylily is compared to Alethea!  Oh my goodness, that bloom is almost as big as her face!

I hope you enjoyed discovering my garden with Alethea today!  And I also hope I've inspired you to transition some of your summer skirts and dresses for fall by adding winter elements like cardigans, vests, jackets, and booties.

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!