My front porch is a little bit like the weather here in Central Indiana. There’s a spring wreath hanging on the wall, and a fall garland adorning the bench! We’ve been having really warm days with cool nights. In fact, this past Wednesday, we may have set a record. Luckily for me, the nights are nice and cool which makes for really nice sleep. Today is the third Thursday of November which means it’s time for an Ageless Style challenge. Mireille chose layers. Actually, she said, “Layer it up!” And, like the past few months, that leaves room for lots of interpretation. Last month, I chose birthday attire since October is my birthday month. In the past we have done Southwestern, summer denim, movie characters, spring dresses, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here here, and here. Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!
Currently…
As I said, we’ve been having unseasonably warm weather. Normally, I would be wearing layers consisting of tees, sweaters and even another sweater and usually topped with a scarf to keep my neck warm! I’ve been just fine the last few weeks with a medium weight sweater and a throw over my legs if I’m in the house. If I’m outside, I’m usually busy doing something which keeps me warm. That will change soon, I’m sure!
Layers…
It’s funny how one word can have so many different meanings. I’ve been quite nostalgic lately. I think it’s because my kids got me a subscription to Storyworth. You can read more about it here. Basically, you are emailed questions about your life, and you answer them. At the end of the year, all of your “stories” are bound together into a book. So, when I think of layers, the first thing to come to mind is a layer cake. For some reason, when I was a kid, my mom always baked layer cakes. She didn’t bake them that often, but it was rare for her to bake a sheet cake. I think the last time I made a layer cake was the infamous bunny cake! Below you have both the inspiration and the reality! That was in 2018…the trauma is real, my friends!
A little more…
Of course, we can also talk about layers of textures in decorating. I try to vary the textures in my living room as well as bedroom. There are velvets, leather, wood, and different kinds of upholstery. I love throw pillows to the point they have to be thrown on the floor in order to sit down! And, then there are the layers to our personalities, right? To some, we are bossy. To others, we are assertive. Some may see us as kind and compassionate; others see us as easily taken advantage of. Some times, we appear uncaring while we are really just focused on accomplishing something. And, who remembers Farah Fawcett’s gorgeous layers? How many of you went to your hair stylist with her photo and asked for that hair cut? I didn’t even try because I knew it was a lost cause!
My outfit…
When I wore this Autumn dress earlier this month (here), I knew I wanted to wear it open as a duster. Today’s challenge gave me the perfect opportunity. I honestly can’t tell whether the design on the dress is black or a very dark navy! But, for today’s look, we’re going with black. I wore this Cap Sleeved top from Clara Sunwoo with a pair of black leggings from J Jill. I am really off trend here because both leggings and dusters are supposedly on their way out! At first, I wore an old Brighton silver toned belt to break up the black. As you can tell from the photos, this didn’t really work that well. I think it’s because the belt interrupted the black column and created almost a half and half perspective rather than the ideal 1/3 to 2/3 ratio. In any event, I like it better without the belt, but I thought I’d show you what it looked like with it.
The Lewk!
These black boots are also by Born. I bought them last year or the year before. They truly look like a combat boot, don’t they? While they’re not quite as nifty as my other Born boots, they are every bit as comfortable. The jewelry is all old Talbots. Did you notice? I also layered my necklaces! Look at me being a clever little blogger!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I am trying to shop my closet more and more (and failing miserably). But, this look was created using items already there. So, can we talk? What do you think of when you hear the word, layer? Do you prefer layer cakes to sheet cakes? Do you use layers to stay warm, stylish, or both? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk! I promise to respond as soon as possible!
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
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Special deals…
I wanted to let you know about Halftee’s Black Friday Sale. If you use my code, MARSHA2098, you can get 30% off the entire site! I recently bought a lace Halftee and can’t wait to style it. Not sure what a Halftee is? Basically, it’s the top part of a tee with an elastic band that fits right under your bust. It lessens the bulk under your clothes, adds modesty, and can also add a different texture. That elastic band is what keeps your Halftee from riding up. Halftee doesn’t carry only Halftees. There is jewelry as well as other clothing. Also, Zuvi has started their Black Friday sale, too. The dryer is 25% off plus you can use my code, Marsha5 for an extra 5% off. Just click through the link above!
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, 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 every Thursday with Melynda and Lisa. 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!
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Blog / Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts about denim, DIY, baking, gardening, fashion…you name it…as long as it’s family friendly! Here are links to all of the lovely ladies in the Ageless Style collaboration. Please do visit them on their various media. Link up with us, visit a couple of others, and leave a comment or two! No worries if you don’t have a blog, just look around! You may find a new blog just waiting for you!
Haha, oh yes, I did go to the hair dresses with a Farrah photo, but never got her hair, lol. I love layers, I’m always cold.
Oh, Nancy, I bet you came closer to Farrah hair than I ever could! It’s funny because, once I get cold, I stay cold so I wear lots and lots of layers and even cover up with throws and afghans!
Thanks, Nancy!
Love the layers you came up with! Our weather is definitely sweater weather; in fact I layered 2 sweaters together for the first time for today’s prompt.
Thanks, Joanne! Our weather is supposed to turn much colder in the coming days. I will be wearing lots of layers soon enough. I loved your 2 sweaters together look!
I love how you did layers – it really is a loaded topic that could go so many ways! I remember wishing I had Farrah’s hair!! Ha! Good memories.
I think Storyworth is such a good gift idea. I should look into it for my mom!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I honestly don’t feel like I have the “credentials” to write a fashion post telling people how and what to wear. So, instead, I look for other stuff to write about. Now that I think about it, do you suppose that was really all her hair? Hmmm…were extensions a thing back then?
Oh, I think Storyworth would be a wonderful gift for your mom. All of my kids have commented about different things they didn’t know about me. And, if you get a question you don’t like or want to answer, you can substitute others. My book is already almost 300 pages long, and I just started in May!
What a great way to get more wear out of a favorite dress! You are one clever lady and it totally works. I like the way you really thought about the prompt, especially describing a personality. It really has me thinking and agreeing, we are many different people in some ways because a situation may need us to step up in different ways, showing our different sides (layers) and that’s okay. Have a great Thursday Marsha!
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Thanks, Bo! For some reason, I just can’t write a simple post about what I’m wearing! I think that’s the teacher in me, right?
Beautiful fall layers Marsha! I love that you wore your dress as a duster! The color and embroidery detail is so pretty and the perfect topper for this look!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you so much, Jill! I do love wearing dresses as dusters…just makes sense to me!
That dress makes the perfect duster, and I love the column of black underneath.
Thanks, Amy! It really worked well as a duster so I will wear it that way until it gets too cold for it.
I love the dress as a duster and that color is just gorgeous! I like this outfit both with and without the belt and adding the necklaces really completes the look. I am all for dusters and leggings: who cares about trends!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I don’t worry about trends, either. The only thing that may appear on my radar would be a color, and that would only be because that’s what is in the stores.
Layer cake, definitely. Bonus frosting between layers!
Ooooh, I hadn’t thought of it like that! But, you are right! I think I’m going to need to make my pumpkin cake in layers from now on! Geniu idea, Elizabeth!
Thanks!!!
That’s funny because I was going to say that I liked it with the belt. Then again, that’s me and loving all the extras!
Xoxo
Jodie
Now, see, you were the one I was sure would agree with me that it cut my body in half! Maybe, I should have worn it as a lariat instead!!!
Thanks, Jodie!!!
That dark green color is gorgeous and I really like how the dress looks as a duster with black! “Layers” is a funny word. The strangest use of it I have heard is that when my husband worked for an agricultural company, they had a line of business in eggs, and they called the chickens “layers.” Your bunny cake with the diagram is too funny! I bet it tasted delicious, though. I’m all about the sheet cake – ain’t got no time for that fancy business when a flat cake eats just as good.
Thanks, Sally! I knew, at some point, I wanted to wear it as a duster. Goodness, I wear most of my dresses that unbutton all the way as dusters anyway! Oh, yeah…I forgot about chicken layers. We used to do a chicken unit in science so we talked a lot about chickens! And, lots of the kids were farm kids so they usually taught me a thing or two!
My son actually did the diagramming. I think I may have stolen that photo from his Facebook or Instagram! Hahaha!!! I love it…”a flat cake eats just as good!” Sally, you really need to pursue writing as a vocation!
The bunny cake is so funny. Love the outfit and all the layers of it. 🙂
Oh, that bunny cake…I will never live it down! I am not known for my decorating skills though I’m quite a good baker. I honestly don’t think I’ve baked a layer cake since.
Thanks, Lisa!
That dress/duster is lovely on you and reminds me of a dress I made for my daughter from a now defunct brand Clothkits, which sold cut-out kits that you sewed up yourself. The dress was exactly that colour with a very similar design. We’ve needed layers here for some time. I’d say our weather is also warmer than it should be and so much wetter. November in the UK used to be cold and frosty, now it’s damp and wet. Layers are needed though!
Thank you, Penny! I have really embraced the dress as duster way of thinking. If I can unbutton a dress all the way, I just might wear it as a duster. A sewing kit would be fun as you don’t have to worry about having everything. Our weather is supposed to turn colder. Today was so dark at times, we honestly could have turned lights on in the house.
Love that sly little look on your face in the first photo. You have a twinkle in your eye. Hope you are feeling well. You sure look good.
I’m sorry but I had to chuckle at your bunny cake. I appreciate your effort but maybe something got lost in the translation. Pretty sure it was tasty, though. My mama made us some awfully cute birthday cakes when we were little. And then I had 2 girls who didn’t really care for cake!!
What a pretty topper, Marsha. Gimme all the green. Can’t get enough of the color. Just ordered a green step stool!! Ha!! And that deep foresty green is about my favorite. You put together a great outfit. I like the column of black without the belt as you suggested. But that is one pretty belt. I always enjoy the pictures of your accessories toward the end of your posts. Been looking for a western belt. Would like to find one that allows me to wear it lower on my waist, between my waist and my hips. Love all your pieces from Talbots. Well done layering your necklaces. Layers to beat the band.
Awww, thanks, my friend! I love to layer and have done it forever because I’m always cold then hot then cold!! This green is really quite wonderful, isn’t it? Those pearl pieces are over a decade old! Can you believe it?
Oh, my cake was a hoot! And, it was so tall we had a hard time cutting it. My youngest actually took it in to work because we had so many other desserts. Maybe I should try a Santa version?
I am feeling pretty good…if I could just get rid of the tire around my middle! I’ve never had that before and am quite stymied about what to do!
Thanks again, Leslie!
Love this outfit! It is so you.
When I took Biology in HS we had to dissect a frog. When I studied it in college, we dissected a frog. Did not enjoy it either time. I would rather have done the onion!
Thanks, Eileen! Oh, we had to dissect a cat in Advanced Bio. Luckily, one of the guys in my group was a hunter so he knew how to skin the poor thing. Once that was done, I could just cover its head and not think about it being a cat. I know some of my classmates (freshman year) had to dissect a worm! How do you do that?
I love the dress as a duster, it’s a great way to get more wear out of lightweight summer dresses. It’s a lovely colour on you too. I’m definitely layering up now as it has turned very cold here – gloves, hats and scarves are needed for sure!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you so much, Emma! This dress is actually a heavier weight linen/cotton so I could probably get away with thicker layers underneath for a bit more. Yes, the weather here has definitely changed here, too…the cars are stocked with the gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves!