Even as you age, you still need to have fun with your clothes, this lady Linda Rodin is a prime example of how to do it. 

  This time of year one minutes it's hot another it's cool or cooler out. I love to have a great jacket or sweater by my side to accommodate those days. This is a J. Crew grey wool jacket, it's did not photo as well as I would have liked, it's more fitted then it appears, I wear it with all my shirts, it takes an outfit up a notch more so than a sweater. So this is a pair of 506 Levi's from Kohl's, the red gingham shirt, bubble necklace and belt are all J. Crew. Because I have so much red in the outfit itself I have chose my boots and shoes in other colors to not overwhelm the look.  I roll the sleeves of the shirt up and over the jacket and push the sleeves up a bit to give it some attitude. For this I would do a neat two roll cuff on the jeans. 

  Day five, this outfit is so simple, which makes it that much "cooler". As I have stated before my jeans are straight legged. I feel I am a little bit too old for shinnies although some of regular pants have a narrow leg,  in jeans I prefer straight leg.  to find what works for you, take some time to try on jeans, try on all different brands, styles and colors too. Note the ones you love and would the most comfortable in and buy more than one pair or remember what they are, and where you got some so you can get more in the future. 
  As for the sweater, I have this one in navy (seen here), coral pink, and white. Again just like the jeans when I find something I like I buy multiples, sometimes the first one I buy is full price, but then as I see how I wear it and like it I will go back and buy more. Hopefully by that time the item is on sale. 
    I chose the soft pink belt because I love navy and pink together and while the necklace seem a little off maybe it works by bringing in some fun color. This outfit can have almost any purse, shoe combination that is what is so great about it being classic and simple. 
  

  Ah, Day Two this is so exciting, I love putting this together. This is another summer to fall look, I love RED as you can probably tell, I wear it all year long. I love color actually. So why have I put together what I have put together? Well, I have paired a simple red and white gingham checked shirt (a classic) with my Eco Levi's Jeans and a skinny red belt, I love the contrast of the yellow necklace with the red. It makes for a happy outfit, and I always say be bold with color, because it's fun to be bold with color. 
   The shoe and footwear choices are a little different in that I have chosen to not pair red shoes with this outfit. Why? Because it breaks up the look, red on top and the bottom are not a good idea. The red purse works with either shoe choice depending on the weather, with the boots being for a colder day. The brown bag and men's inspired shoes would also be a great look with this outfit. The men inspired shoes, are a definite "fashion item" for this upcoming fall. 
  As I always say to my client's PLAY WITH YOUR CLOTHES, HAVE FUN WITH THEM THIS IS NOT SERIOUS STUFF. 

   These jeans are not new they are from my closet. Some I have had for awhile some I not so long. Most are a darker wash which is more flattering for an older person (older then 39 that is). 
From left to right they are:
1.Eco Vintage bootcut (I like straight leg but I got these because the bootcut is not too wide at the bottom) and they were Eco friendly.
2.Levi's  Eco straight leg. 
3 Levi's 505 straight leg from Kohl's 
4.Levi's  505 straight leg from Kohl's
5. Levi's 505 straight leg from Kohl's 
6. Levi's 505 straight leg from Kohl's
7. Levi's Jodhpur style skinny leg (no longer made)
8. Levi's 501 Vintage men's 
9. J. Crew matchstick in a medium wash.
As you can see they are all worn and loved. 

  I am so excited about my 30days of denim blogging that I have decided I am going to start it this coming Monday. The clothes are from my closet but I have noticed that stores already have their fall lines in so to help you with ideas for shopping I am doing this sooner. 
 These blogs will have lots and lots of ideas and information as to how and why the outfits and accessories work together. Stay tune for this coming Monday, August 13th to begin the journey. 

  While my dressing is pretty simple, I jazz up my looks with accessories and the combinations of fabrics, textures and items I put together. Most of my clothing is what I call basics or classics. 
  So when I find something that works, that I enjoy wearing and that (and this is most important) I get compliments, I buy in multiples.
  Here is how you do it. Once you find what works, go after it, but only buy it in colors and fabrics that go with whatever else you have in your closet. Pictured below are some of the multiples that I own. 

  Of course we all know how to shop right? But do we really I am not so sure, so below are some great ideas for shopping.      

1.      Always spend your biggest money on the classics, in both styling and  Color.

2.      Define your style and stick to it. Wear what you love; what makes you comfortable, what makes you feel expresses you. Stay true to this and the wardrobe will follow. Shop with the motto, love it or leave it.

3.      Understand your body type and shop accordingly, learn what looks best and never compromise.

4.      Don’t go on fishing expeditions, go but don’t buy unless it’s perfect.

5.      Go to the stores you know have your styles and what works for you.

6.      Look for color and fabric first, then silhouette, then size.

7.      Think outfit, not item. Before buying the new items think about what other items it can be worn with. If you don’t have anything don’t buy it, it needs to go with at least three other things.

8.      Get help from a professional stylist.

9.      Insist on fit; otherwise take it to your alterations person. So factor in that cost always. Even your jeans can be altered

10.  Buy the best you can afford. You don’t need a lot of stuff when you have the right stuff.

11.  Vintage** Vintage can give you a unique look, but always try everything on

Sizes were different back then. Again, make sure it fits with your style and goes with other items you already have.

12.  Make your larges purchase first, in other words, buy the suit or coat first then

the accessories.

If you want to be fashionable do it with accessories, or just a few items to add to your already “styled” wardrobe. When I do closet clean outs I see a lot of hang tags still on clothing in closets. Buying outside the box can be very costly. Stick to what suits you best for overall look, then go crazy with the accessories, jewelry, scarves, some handbags and shoes can really bring you the fashion your looking for.

We recently went on a trip to Wyoming and Colorado. There are two things that happen to be when traveling. I don't sleep well and my beauty routine is not what it should be, plus the environment is different from at home. It's funny the environment I can deal with and the beauty routine as well. It's the lack of sleep that shows up on my face and really makes my skin look shallow and lacking in color. They say you never catch up on sleep but after last night's big snore I am not so sure that's true. I feel a thousand times better and happier today just because I got a lot of sleep.