The ubiquitous completer piece…
There are days when I don’t mind baring my arms. They are usually when the temperatures hit the 80s (~27C) and high humidity. The day we took these photos was perfect…just right temps with low humidity. But, it was also just cool enough that a completer piece was a good idea. I mentioned in this post I had bought a few things from the April Cornell store in Asheville. Anna, the manager, suggested the Rachelle Lace Blouse. She was so right! This blouse is the perfect completer piece for those chilly days or when you’re going to be in AC. It also works if you’re not feeling confident about your upper arms. I’m wearing a small which is really unusual for me in a button up. The lace makes it really stretchy and isn’t itchy at all.
Have I mentioned…
I love a good floral! I love jersey dresses. I love maxi dresses. And, I love April Cornell clothing. Put all of those together, and you get the California Rose Jersey Dress! I could have even added in I love purple. This dress has it all for me…comfort, florals, and pockets! Not interested in a maxi? There’s a jumpsuit, a short dress (I had really intended to buy this, but Anna talked me into the maxi), a skirt, and a blouse. You can also find it on bike shorts, undies, and a sports bra! That jumpsuit is kinda calling my name!
Brand ambassador, but…
Listen, I am a brand ambassador for April Cornell and have a discount code for you (MARSHA10 for 10% off orders over $75), but I am really not trying to talk you into anything. These items (and most of the clothing I do share) were paid for by me! I won’t even receive any kind of commission should you use my code at April Cornell. I love April’s aesthetic and have for years. It was a dream come true when I was selected to be a brand ambassador. The only other thing I’ll share with you right now about the brand is they are running a flash sale on bedding, cushions, and nighties.
The Lewk!
A couple of summers ago, I splurged on these Willow espadrilles. But, if I calculated my cost per wear (CPW), I would probably be in the negative! They are extremely comfortable with a 2.75″ heel. But, the platform is is 1.25″ which means the gross height of these espadrilles is 1.5″. The leather is soft beyond measure! I am pondering buying another pair but just pondering. I added this Lagos Caviar Pendant (same but with different gemstone) and these Lagos Caviar studs. I rarely wear studs because they just don’t show. This J Jill cuff bracelet completes the accessories.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
There are times I wonder at the wisdom of wearing maxi dresses when I’m so vertically challenged. I’m only 5’1″. But, when you wear something that makes you feel good, you just glow, right? After taking these photos, Nigel and I had to make some returns at the mall. I almost ran into a lady at Talbots and apologized. What she said next just kinda shocked me! She said, “Oh, I was stopped by your beauty! You are such a beautiful woman.” Now, I’m not telling you that to garner compliments. My point is when you feel beautiful, you exude confidence. And, today, I felt extra beautiful after that little almost run-in! So, can we talk? How do you feel about completer pieces? What would be on your punch list for the perfect item of clothing? How’s the weather in your part of the world? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as possible.
Affiliate links and such:
Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I also have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA2098, for 20% off any purchase. I am now an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post. I am very happy to tell you I am an April Cornell Brand Ambassador for another season. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off any order over $75.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for being a part of my blogging journey! I appreciate all of you…those who comment, follow, email, or subscribe…you are each important to me. If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend with Michelle every Thursday. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
That’s a perfect upper arm cover up! I don’t like to show them, to thin, to wrinkled and to muscled. That’s a gorgeous dress too, what a very beautiful colour.
Thanks, Nancy! I wish mine were one of those three…well, they are wrinkled, but I wish they had the muscle tone they usually do. Time to lift some weights!
That is a beautiful outfit! I love the dress and that lace topper is the perfect completer piece.
Thanks, Joanne! I love this dress…I have a few in this same print but in different colors. The lace shirt was, indeed, perfect!
I adore this lace topper to this dress! It’s so pretty and elegant! The purple print of the dress is lovely too.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! It is even prettier in person! I can see me wearing it lots of different ways!
The white lace looks wonderful with the dress. I have an ivory lace shirt that I like to wear as a topper piece in the summer – it’s a remarkably versatile item.
Thanks, Sally! I’ve never had anything like this before (I know…unbelievable)! It will be working hard in my closet!
Your topper makes me think of my lace halftee: it’s really pretty and feminine. And I love that shade of purple. I have been loving my maxis lately… I wore a pair of shorts yesterday and burned my thighs on my leather seats in the car. So today, when I debated wearing shorts or a maxi skirt, the maxi skirt won out and I got two compliments on my outfit within 5 minutes at the grocery store. I do feel pretty good in that skirt of mine with the high slit I share last Ageless link up.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I kept toying with getting the lace Halftee but never got around to it. No leather seats here…hopefully, in the next car! I love wearing maxi skirts because they’re comfortable, and you don’t always have to sit like a lady! Hahaha!!
I don’t mind showing my arms either. It’s really that I love an extra item to give an outfit some sass, and that lace top is perfect. I have one very similar in eyelet.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I’m not particularly happy with my upper arms right now so I was glad it was a little chilly on the day we took the photos. I can see myself wearing this lace shirt over and over again!
What a lovely post and you definitely look confident and beautiful in your pretty dress and the lace blouse is the perfect addition. I have never worn florals but there are so many pretty floral prints, perhaps I should give it a try.
Thank you so much, Lea! I appreciate it! I think you should definitely give florals a try! There are so many different sizes now…perhaps a ditsy print would help you get comfortable with the motif!
This is such a beautiful look! Your lace top is the perfect completer piece to add interest to this outfit!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! I can’t take credit for putting the two together as Anna, the manager at the April Cornell store, suggested it! But, I can tell you I will be wearing it alot!
I absolutely love this outfit Marsha! One of my favorites on you! The purple dress is gorgeous. Purple is your color for sure!
Thanks, Laura! I take that as high praise! Purple is my favorite color!
Hye, this is just amazing, and your smile is super cool. You have a great fashion sense.
Thanks so much!
Your ‘new friend’ at Talbots is a wise woman. YOU are BEAUTIFUL. I want to tell you that every time I see you on IG or pop by your blog. You have the best hair, lovely coloring and that smile!!! And you are right about radiating happiness when you feel good about yourself and what you are wearing. I remember wearing some distressed overalls, a striped tee and a cardigan a year or so ago. We were going to photograph some murals. PC went off to the bathroom and I was trying to take a selfie in front of a mural. This very kind young man walked up and offered to take some pictures of me…in fact, offered to take pictures of me in front of all the murals!! Ha!! He complimented me on my ‘look’ and I think it was all because I just felt fun and happy in what I was wearing.
So, I agree!!!
Love the lace blouse. What a perfect summer-weather wrap. I bet it would be darling with a tank top underneath and paired with jeans. It is so feminine and would make even the simplest look fancy!!
Thank you, my friend. You’re making me blush! Isn’t it amazing how we can be wearing something really inexpensive yet feel like a million dollars and give off that vibe? And, then the opposite is also true. I think that is really cool you had this experience…it makes your day, doesn’t it?
This lace blouse is going to be worn a lot this year and for years to come. I almost wish it had a straight hem rather than a shirttail hem. If it bothered me that much, I could change it, but it doesn’t!! Either that, or I’m just lazy!
The dress and lace shirt is a beautiful combination! You’re right – when you feel great in an outfit you project it. You really do look fabulous! Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you so much, Emma! This shirt will be worn so much this coming summer. I can always tell when I feel good in an outfit by the look in my eyes! And, thanks for the link up!
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