[Shoe Lookbook] The Little Black Dress Three Ways

Hi there!

The Three Shoes for this Shoe Lookbook (Left to Right):  Leopard & Zebra Print Carol Sandals - ShoeMint, Suede Booties - Target, Python Pumps - Ellen Tracy.

The First Look when you're feeling a little wild:  Missoni for Target headbands, Necklace & Belt borrowed from the eldest.

The Second Look for when you want a comfortable stylish look:  Bag by Fendi, Bracelets from Forever 21.

The Third Look when you want to go out on the town:  Hair Jewelry are repurposed earrings  from Francesca's, Diamond  Necklace from my parents, Black Bag from Bally, Pearl Bracelet, sorry, I can't remember!

The Fourth Look with my cool sunglasses in a Black & White photo!
The Little Black Dress from Nevaeh Boutique.

I LOVE this Little Black Dress, that I purchased for our cruise this past December, because you can either dress it up or down, or wear it anywhere in between!  The back has a mesh detail that wasn't photographed, but I will get around to the next time around, so stay tuned!

Do you have a favorite Little Black Dress or several LBDs?  Let me know because the LBD has to be the perfect wardrobe essential.  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Shoe Lookbook] Gold & Silver

Hi there!

The Shoes for this Shoe Lookbook -

Silver Wedges & Suede Booties - Target, Bronze Flats - Ross.

The First Look with Silver Wedges -

 The Second Look with Suede Booties -

 The Third Look with Bronze Flats -

Outfit: Shirt - Urban Outfitters, Cami - Benetton, Shorts - Forever 21, Purse & Belts - Target, Necklace - borrowed from the eldest!

I wore this the other week and after seeing the photos, I honestly wasn't too impressed with any of the ensembles, except for maybe the bronze flats (if I could just take off that necklace!).  The yellow belt also looks off as well as the suede boots, but in real life the shirt's sheer front had gold flecks with silvery-gray tones, so I thought it would work...

Oh well.  I thought I would just post it because what the heck, style and fashion is all about experimenting and you're bound to make some mistakes!  Who knows, some of you may like it or at least take some styling tips from it.  So what do you think of this Shoe Lookbook styling post?  Let me know since I am obviously not too keen on the whole look.  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Shoe Lookbook] Barefoot in Aruba, then Back to Reality

Hi there!

The Three Shoes - Left: Bandolino Sandals from Off Broadway Shoes, Right: Nude Stilettos from ShoeMint, Center: My barefeet with a week-old pedicure by OPI You're a Pisa Work.

The Shirt - It's from Old Navy, not Ann Taylor, and I saw it on the sale rack in an XL.  I immediately thought that I could use it as a bathing suit cover-up, so it was perfect for the Princess Caribbean cruise we went on this past December with the family for my in-laws 50th Wedding Anniversary. 

The First Look (Top): I called these my, "Leisurely Cruise Sandals".  That day, I wore them with my army green Target two-piece and white Old Navy chino shorts with the hubby.
The Second Look (Bottom):  On the sand at Baby Beach, Aruba.  I wore my cover-up over my bathing suit, while relaxing with my sister-in-law, as our barefoot toes peek out, and watching the kids play!

The Third Look (Back to Reality!) -

Outfit - Nude Cami & Necklace: Nevaeh, Belt & Bag: Target, Braclet: Borrowed from the eldest, Shorts: Banana Republic.

Aren't vacations, especially cruises, fun since you are catered to 24/7?!  In the end, you've got to come back home and reality hits.  Wearing my little beach cover-up out in the real world brought back memories of that restful moment in the Aruba sun, kind of like an old song transports you back to a time in the past.

Do you have a piece of clothing that brings back fond memories when you wear it?  Let me know because I'm always inspired by fun times.  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Shoe Lookbook] 3 Hot Pink Looks With Ann Taylor & Friends

Hi there!

I thought that I would do a Shoe Lookbook with an old friend, Ann Taylor, and three fairly new ones, Calvin, Kenneth, and Michael!  The guys are basic black, while Ann is providing the pop of color, a 90's hot pink shift dress, being the girl and all...

The Shoes -

Left: Calvin Klein Lenora Bootie, Kenneth Cole Mid-calf Boot, Michael Kors Cork-heeled Pumps.

The First Look with Calvin - Cardigan: Target, Pearls: Gift from my parents, of course!, Bag: Target (handed down, or would that be handed up, from my eldest daughter)

Like my hair?  My oldest daughter just trimmed it and styled it the day before...she is so talented and creative!  Next, she'll do my highlight and root touch-ups.  So nice to have a Hairstylist in the family!

Calvin was worn to church.

 The Second Look with Michael - Shirt: Benneton, Tights: Old Navy, Headband: Missoni for Target.

Michael was worn to a HS graduation luncheon (it got windy and cooler, so this look was perfect).

The Third Look with Kenneth - Necklace: Kenneth Cole (borrowed from my eldest daughter, which was a gift from us), Jean Jacket: Allen for ABS purchased at Nordstrom, Hair tie: Goody (I seem to always have this...I guess just in case my hair is driving me crazy, but today it was perfect because of my daughter!)

Kenneth was worn to an early evening HS graduation Open House...it's good we took photos before we left because it started to rain and my boots were perfect for that!

It's so nice to pair old friends with new ones, don't you think?  Which one of the looks was your favorite pairing?  Let me know so that I can start contemplating other pairings with old and new friends.  Thank you for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Life-Style Forum] 40+ with Leopard Pants! Fashion Faux Pas?

Hi there!

Last week, my youngest daughter and I went to Target because she needed mascara, and guess where we ended up?  In the clothing section where she found some pants and shorts, and I bought leopard pants!  They were on the sale rack for $11, so I couldn't resist, especially since they fit and looked halfway decent.
Well...at least I thought so, until I tried them on at home and my kids said, "You need to get a smaller size Mom, 'cause those pants are supposed to be worn tighter".

Whew! At least they didn't say, "You shouldn't be wearing those leopard pants, Mom", because I love them, and if my kids approve, then it must be okay, right?  Here is my Shoe Lookbook with 3 different shoes and my smaller sized leopard pants!

Left:  ShoeMint Nude Kathyrn Stilettos, Middle:  Target Suede Ankle Boots, Right: Black Sling-Back Pumps from Nordstrom (Back story...my husband picked these out and bought them for our anniversary years ago).

First Look -
Scarf: gift, Shirt: TJ Maxx, Belt: Target, Purse: Kate Spade, Watch: Rolex, Braclet: Banana Republic

Second Look -
Shirt: Forever 21, Cami: Old Navy, Belt: Old Navy (borrowed from my oldest daughter), Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Third Look -
Shirt: Banana Republic, Belt: Old Navy, Bag: Target, Sunglasses: Forever 21, Earrings: Francesca's Collections

Although I can be quite practical and relatively conservative in how I dress, I admit that I tend to push the envelope sometimes.  I like to have classic pieces, but I do like to stay stylish and on trend and I don't want to feel like I can't express who I am through my clothes.  I've always been like that, but sometimes I was too scared to wear or purchase something because it seemed so different.

As I have gotten older, I am actually more comfortable wearing and purchasing these "fashion risks".  But at my age, I know that can sometimes border on being that woman that is "40 trying to look 20".  I don't have any delusions that I am 20 anymore, nor do I wish to be.  I just think that as women, we need to embrace our style and individuality within tasteful boundaries, and walk with our heads held high!


So what are your thoughts about women over 40 dressing in a certain way and following certain age-appropriate rules?  I will continue this series on some of these fashion "no-no's" and fashion rules for this age group in upcoming posts, so stay tuned!

In the future,  this "Life-Style Forum" column will be a place where readers can discuss questions or topics that you are all interested in, so start thinking of topics or questions you would like to discuss.  I will also use this column as a way for readers to submit any photos that may be posted in Life-Style Forums.  Thanks for visiting and being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl

[Shoe Lookbook] Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Hi there!

How was everyone's weekend?  For me, Sunday was spent relaxing and catching up on some shows (Fringe, Awake, Modern Family, New Girl, to name a few...), doing laundry, and going to Costco (In old Black Suede Birkenstock Sandals; probably about 20 years old!  Sorry, no photos of that!).

Saturday was busy with church in the morning, then to the mall to fix my iPhone (stress!), and lunch at BJ's Resturaunt, with the husband and youngest daughter, while we waited for an appointment time at the Apple store.  Thank goodness my phone didn't die, as I thought it had, and we came home to complete the download on our computer.  Luckily my husband and I were still able to make it for the evening orchestra concert, which was amazing!  We went out for Fish & Chips, and ate that, among other greasy, deep-fried items, with my BCFF ('C' for Caucasion, cause she calls me her BFFF, 'F' for Filipino, although she too can be my BFFF, where 'F' is for FUN - I just thought of that!  I know, I'm too silly...)

Shoe Lookbook -

Left to Right:  Olive Sandals from Urban Outfitters, Midnight Blue Peep-toe  Pumps by Marc Fisher from DSW, Black Platform Wedge Sandals from ShoeMint

Paisley Dress (The Something Old is this Sweet Pea Sleeveless Dress I bought about 9 years ago for my 20th High School Reunion.  I ended up wearing a J.Crew Brown & Orange Floral Slip Dress instead with Bebe shoes and I still have both as well!) -

1st Look, worn to church (The Something Blue is the Marc Fisher Shoes in Midnight Blue found at DSW & the Teal Trench from Old Navy) -

2nd Look, worn to the mall & lunch (The Something Borrowed are the Olive Sandals from Urban Outfitters, loaned to me from my oldest daughter.  Thanks for the recommendation!) -

I pulled the dress down around my waist to wear it as a skirt...aren't I innovative AND cool?!

Shirt:  Forever 21, Belt: Gap, Sunglasses:  Remember, my no name ones from Monterey Bay!

Lunch...I couldn't really eat cause I was worried about my phone!

3rd Look, worn to a casual evening concert & dinner (The Something New are my Black Platform Wedge Sandals from ShoeMint (my first pair)! -

Jacket: Benneton, Flower: Gap

I really should stand straight...

"I feel dumb...how am I suppose to pose?" 

"Okay, fine..."

"Is this good?"/"Okay, I'll pose & keep still..."/"I'm done!"

Dinner...I was STARVING by this time as I didn't eat breakfast & not much lunch cause I thought I had killed my phone...I know, I'm weird...

Well that was my weekend!  Hope you had fun along with me and as usual, leave any comments or suggestions on my blog site.  Thank you for being a part of my journey!

See you later!

Cheryl