
Welcome back for this week’s edition of the Fashion Files, hosted by Amy and me! If you don’t know Amy, her blog is Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa. I have noticed many fashion bloggers are disappearing. Some are going to Substack; some are posting only on Instagram; and some are just plain ending their blogs. In any event, I asked Amy if she would co-host. Then, I checked with Jill and Kellyann to see if they would be OK with Fashion Files continuing. They were gracious and agreed! So, here we are.
Last week’s looks…
Tuesday – I had VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) practice at the museum. After that, I attended a Contemporary Core committee meeting at the museum. An associate curator spoke to us about an upcoming installation. I wrote just a little bit about it on last week’s Fashion Files on Wednesday. I wore the Vendela cardigan from Gudrun Sjödén over an old tank from Old Navy. These cute jeans are also from Old Navy. I love the embroidery on them, but I’m still confused by that hammer hook (that’s what Nigel said it was). I’m also wearing one of my comfortable pairs of Samba sneakers.

Wednesday – This was one of those days when I have no idea what I did. I’m pretty sure I ran to WalMart to pick up something or other for Nigel. I did go to Kroger to get supplies for his upcoming surgery…like ice cream and other goodies. I really need to make a note in my phone about what I’m doing each day…you’d think I would have already thought of that, right? I wore my beloved floral horseshoe jeans from Gap (sold out, it appears) with the same tank as Tuesday and this cute cardigan from Old Navy (also sold out).

Thursday – I had a European Core committee meeting this day. I should explain what those are. There are various cores of docents for the different kinds of art at the Museum. We can attend none, one, or all of them. I love European art so I knew I would be attending that one. This time, we went behind locked doors to the Conservator’s lab. This is a multi-million dollar laboratory, and the conservator/scientist in charge of it talked to us about the different types of pigments used in painting. He started talking about chemical reactions and so many other things I had no idea about. I took pages and pages of notes. I love to learn so I was definitely in my element (forgive the pun). During our training, we were also able to go inside the lab which is amazing! He did tell us one of the coolest things about his job was that, unlike the docents, he and his staff actually get to touch the art! After, one of our best docents discussed a piece of art she loves. It’s Lady Philippa Coningsby by George Gower. It definitely gives off Elizabethan vibes with the beautiful ruff and gorgeous clothing. One of the best parts of the cores are the gallery presentations. I use that information when I’m doing Gallery Conversations. Later that day I went to At Home to buy some large pots to put a hibiscus in as well as a Kimberley fern. I’m wearing a Kantha Bae kimono over a black lace Halftee (use my code, MARSHABANKS for 20% off) and Loft jeans. I usually order a size up in the lace Halftees because they seem delicate. I don’t want to poke a hole in one! And, here’s the strange thing…they actually keep me warm!

Friday – That morning, I picked up groceries from Kroger. You don’t even want to see what I wore. Later that day, I had to go back to Kroger to get Nigel some G series Gatorade. I swear I looked at every dang bottle of Gatorade. Finally, I got out my phone and googled it. So, I bought the first one I found that matched…it was red. Remember that because it’s important. I got home and showed it to him. He then reminded me the one kind he couldn’t have was…you guessed it…red! So, after dinner, I went to WalMart and got the right kind. I also just happened to meander through the ladies section. That was a big mistake! Our WalMart has never had much in the way of the good stuff, but boy, howdy! They had all kinds of cute things. So, even though this isn’t what I wore Friday, I did buy these Scoop pants. I had gotten the tee shirt from Sanctuary when they had a sale recently.

Saturday – I spent lots of money today! I finally went to Cox’s and bought flowers for my pots. I had made a list, checked it twice (see what I did there), and bought most of what I had on it and only a couple of things that weren’t. Unfortunately, I didn’t have dirt to fill some of my pots. I just watered everything really well, and I’ll get them planted as soon as I can. After I got home, all grubby from leaning over plants and such, I showered and changed into this cute Rose Hip Blouse from Gudrun Sjödén and my Loft Rivete jeans.

Sunday – I played handbells at church for Music Appreciation Sunday. I had missed every practice except one so I wasn’t perfect (like I ever am). I have to admit I did a more than halfway decent job with the piece. It was “I’ve Got the Joy,” and instead of actually ringing the bells, we malletted them. That means exactly what you think…we struck the bells with special mallets. Of course, we had to do it in the right rhythm, hit the right bell, and so on! I didn’t take a photo, but this is what I wore. It’s an old Gudrun Sjödén dress, an ivory slip, and cardigan. I wore sandals, though, and not boots! I love this outfit so I kept it on even when I ran Jack to the boarders, packed everything for Monday, and finished a blog post. I even took photos for that blog post but changed back into this outfit!

Monday – The Big Day! I got up early so I could shower and get Nigel ready. Actually, we had done most of the prep the night before. He had to take a shower with special soap as well as have clean sheets. I even had to do a load of towels late Sunday night because we used a clean one for every step of the process. But, I digress! I knew, from experience, the hospital would be cold. And, I was right! I wore a pair of slim wide leg Old Navy jeans with a Gudrun Sjödén striped tee and this pretty Täppa cardigan. I forgot to take a photo at home so I had my oldest snap a photo. He didn’t think the vending machine should be in the photo, but I told him that’s where I was so it was fine! Nigel’s surgery got started a bit late so he got to his room very late. That means this post is being written even later! I’m very tired so I will leave my Nigel update for another day…leaving you in suspense. Let’s just say I have a very large smile on my face tonight!

What to link up…
Please link up your favorite fashion posts, old and new. Please take the time to visit some of the other bloggers. I’m sure they would appreciate it, and please let them know you are visiting from our link up! A huge thanks to Jill and Kellyann for agreeing to let us host this new “old” link party. And, an even bigger thanks to Amy for being my co-host! In case you’re not sure about what to post, I’ve actually stolen some of Amy’s Monday post (thanks, Amy): “You can show one outfit you’ve worn or multiple outfits you’ve worn. You can talk about clothing, shoes, accessories, undergarments, swimwear, brands you stand by, thrifting, online shopping, in person shopping – whatever you want to talk about that involves fashion. I have had a few comment that they aren’t fashionable and I say to that “pish posh”. Just show us what you’ve worn!” I love that…you don’t have to be dressed to the nines (look at what I’ve worn) to link up!
You can try this link. If it doesn’t work, please go to Amy’s blog.

A large smile sounds good!!
(And not only did I see what you did there, but I actually sang it automatically before noticing what I sang, the brain is a curious thing.)
Some nice outfits, too. My favorite is probably the one you wore to church.