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. Yes, I know this is repetitious, but maybe someone new is reading this! And, it contains our (meaning Amy and I) history such as it is! I promise I will have a different intro next week!
Last week’s looks…
Tuesday – Last Tuesday, we had a walk through of a new exhibition at the museum. If you like the Barbizon School, Impressionism, Pointillism, or Post-Impressionism, this is the exhibit for you. I wrote a little about it here in my “Little Things” post. I’ll be honest, I had no idea who the Pissarro family was. I know a bit more now. And, the exhibition is just amazing. It’s arranged in a clockwise manner (though you don’t have to walk that direction). The same curatorial assistant who took part in the lecture led us through the exhibition. Now, here’s the fun part. I think there were probably 50 or more docents all crowded into this small room, supposedly listening. I’ve discovered docents are a lot like teachers…they don’t get quiet when someone else is talking. There are always little conversations going on around the room. That’s not a bad thing, but I found it funny because that was definitely my experience as a teacher. I’m wearing the Poppie Dress in Quails from Tulip Clothing (use my code, MARSHA20, for 20% off) with a J Jill denim jacket over the top of it. When looking at it, I think the jacket really doesn’t help with any shape at all.
Wednesday – This was a stay at home day and finish planting and watering kinda day. It was also Nigel’s first appointment for physical therapy. I just wore an old chambray shirt from Old Navy and linen shorts, also from Old Navy. Want a little giggle on my dime? Long story short…Nigel left his phone at the P/T place. At first, I looked all over for it and decided to just drive back there. As I was pulling in the driveway and parking, my phone rang. It was the receptionist. She had Nigel’s phone. Want to know how she knew it was his? Well, his wallpaper is a photo of me, flipping him the bird (from the first year I was blogging…didn’t make the blog cut). She recognized me from scheduling his appointments and called. When I walked in, all the ladies behind the counter were just grinning from ear to ear!
Thursday – This was another stay at home day, but I went out that night! My oldest granddaughter takes voice lessons, and her recital was that night. I am always completely blown away by her talent. I didn’t grab a photo of what I wore, but it was a pair of barrel jeans and an old Nic + Zoe sweater. For most of the day, though, I looked like this! Not very glamorous, right? Ah, that’s OK. When I look in the mirror, I see my maternal grandmother’s family looking back at me. Here, I’m wearing my favorite floral horseshoe jeans from Gap with a 100% cotton sweater from Old Navy (last year).
Friday – I finally got a pedicure. I do get gel pedicures. For some weird reason, my toenails can handle polish of any kind while my fingernails will peel and crack. Anyway, I’d gotten a light lavender color the last time (first time this year), and it really wasn’t noticeably growing out. But, I could feel my toenails getting too long…you know that feeling, right? So, I actually made an appointment on Thursday for Friday. My toes are now a pretty pink color! I don’t get pedicures during the winter to give my toenails a rest. I wore almost the same thing as I did Wednesday. I wore the pink version of those shorts along with my Sanctuary tee. I think my favorite part of the pedicure is when they rub those hot stones over your legs and feet. I wonder if I could get Nigel to do that! I also had a Friday Kroger pick up…gotta get those 4 x gas points!
Saturday – I spent a lot of this day researching for a tour I was giving on Sunday. I decided, at the last minute, to change one and kinda create an entirely new one using works I already knew about. I also did some research for Monday’s post. But, most of the day was spent researching, writing, and practicing that new tour. The one part of the tour I love the best as a docent as well as being a guest is the information about the art and artist. Since we’re moving away from that model of tour, I have to decide which facets of both are most important to the theme and to what I want the guests to remember after the tour. I moved the photos of the paintings all around and asked Nigel which way he’d go because these paintings aren’t all in the same gallery. I wanted there to be cohesiveness in the way I’d guide my guests through the tour as well as connections between the “adjacent” (as in next in line) pieces. Nigel knew, approximately, where all the pieces were and was a great help. Again, I’m wearing the Old Navy shorts in lavender and an old smocked ruffle sleeve top from Loft. I don’t really dig ruffles on the arms like this, but the smocking will get me almost every time!
Sunday – I think I gave the best tour ever today! Even though I had just prepped on one new work, the tour went so well. It wasn’t me, though. The success came from the input of the guests. I did a VTS (read more about that here) hybrid tour. I started out with my favorite piece by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, Dream of Spring and included other pieces I’ve used before with the exception of Hotel Lobby by Edward Hopper. This group of people, a family of four and several couples, were so engaged in the art and talking about it…not just looking at it but actually talking about the way the artist did this or that. I was on Cloud Nine! I wore the Rose Hip dress by Gudrun Sjödén with my Eileen Fisher sandals. Then, as I was leaving, I met the most adorable couple of girls. I just had to stop and tell them just how amazing they were. They even let me take their photo, but I’m not going to share it here because I didn’t think to ask them for permission to share it. And, to make a good day even better, my youngest and his partner came over for dinner. I am so glad they found each other. I have seen such a huge change in him since meeting her. It makes my heart happy.
Monday – Nigel had an appointment with the Nurse Practitioner. His x-ray was something to see! There is a lot of hardware in his hip right now. He’s got a huge implant going down into his femur as well as a few screws. Let’s just say he would definitely set off any kind of metal detectors! His staples were taken out, and I had to look away. I was able to give him his meds through his PICC line and change his bandages, but removing those staples…nope, no way!!! I wore a pair of Old Navy jeans and tee, topped with an old J Jill linen duster.
Purchases…
You probably won’t believe this, but I didn’t buy anything this week! I had overloaded on buying the week before so I’ve still got things being delivered. I have a pair of Snag tights that I ordered who knows when that have finally reached the US from the UK. They’re going to arrive before fall, I hope! I don’t even remember what they look like. But, I have to tell you, if you’ve got thick thighs like me, Snag tights are your friends! And, that’s not even sponsored! I still want a pair of Sneakerinas. I keep looking at the fabric pair on the Vivaia website, but, gosh are they expensive! That, plus who knows how long I’d like them are what is keeping me from pressing “Buy!”
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! WordPress has had an update, and the Link Party button usually doesn’t show up on my draft, but here it is! Hopefully, it will show up on the blog when it’s published! As always, if it doesn’t work, please link up through Amy’s blog!
Yay for the perfect tour!
It’s so amazing how much some input from the group can change a tour. I remember one library tour with about 50 people which could have been a disaster (we usually do 15!), but the group was so amazing that it was one of my best tours ever.
My favorite outfit is the last one, I just like the look of a nice duster.
Thanks, Cat! Whoa!!! 50 people would be scary as all get out! But, you’re right…it’s the makeup of the group that creates a good tour. That last look is my favorite, too! I know dusters are supposed to be out, but I love them and will continue to wear them!
I am loving that blue floral dress on you Marsha! So pretty. Thanks so much for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! I don’t know if I mentioned it’s a true wrap dress. I don’t think I’ve got the hang of tying it right yet, though. You’re very welcome for the link up. Thanks for linking up!
Love all the outfits this week. The Old Navy linen shorts are really great and the color works like a neutral. I don’t get the type of pedicure with the stones usually but I have had that before. It’s really nice. The gel pedicure is impressive to me because if you spray bug spray or sunscreen you can ruin the regular polish. I am only on my second gel pedi. I am tracking how long it lasts. I can’t handle my nails getting too long, though.
Exciting about the tour- just like being a teacher when the class is really engaged.
One thing that might be surprising about me – I can’t stand when people try to talk to me in a pd or at a talk or lecture. I want to be totally quiet and respectful. I’m such a rule follower. I have gone so far as to not sit beside a talker because I hate it so much.
Thanks, Amy! I can go about 4-6 weeks with a gel pedicure, especially if it’s a light color so you don’t see the grow out. They have told me it’s not a good idea to clip your toenails because you can’t see how short you’re really cutting them. But, I still do it sometimes. I didn’t know that about bug spray. I was actually giddy the rest of the day because of how well the tour went. I had been a bit worried since I didn’t know Hopper as well as the other artists. But, the conversations…oh, my gosh! These people were just so into each piece of art. I’m the same way when I’m at a lecture or whatever. I want to hear what’s said and not have to try to hear over others’ conversations. Take it out in the hall, please!
I hear you on the sneakerina issue – I’m very attracted to some of them, but it takes me many years to get my use out of a pair of pricey shoes (I don’t wear them on repeat day after day) and I wonder whether they will look weird a few years from now.
Thanks, Sally! I do think we’ll think they look weird in a few years because they’re so different from anything we’re wearing now. If the Vivaia ones were $40 or so, I’d bite. Let’s just say they’re not! I don’t mind spending money on boots and shoes I know I’ll wear for years, but these…I think we’ll see them through this year and maybe next. I don’t think we’ll see them as a lasting thing, though.
I love how being a docent at the art museum is giving you so much joy. It’s like it was made for you.
Love the dress and the horseshoe jeans.
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! From the first time we went to the IMA, I wanted to be a docent. I have no idea how I happened to receive the email because everyone else had gone to an informational meeting! I guess it was just meant to be because I can’t imagine not being one now!
Barrel jeans are so good aren’t they. At first I didn’t like them at all and now I have 3! Love the blue dress too. Flipping the bird??? Have to Google that😂😂
Thanks, Nancy! I didn’t like them, either. I remember an earlier kind that came out when I first started blogging, and I really didn’t like those. Oh, I wonder if you have the same motion for flipping the bird! You’ll have to let me know!
Nice outfits during the week dear Marsha. It seems that the weather was quite warm. In this weekly review I like the blue dress most.
Have a good time and all the best
Violetta
Thank you so much, Violetta! Our weather has been quite nice, but it looks like it will be a little warmer and more humid next week. I hope you’re having a wonderful week! And, thank you for linking up!
I love seeing your everyday style. I really like that last dress, you look incredible! I can tell you feel so good in your body now Marsha and that is really amazing. You are a beautiful woman with a great sense of style and once you really feel good about yourself it shows – I know from my hair experience.
I’d say your tour went well because of you – you made your guests feel comfortable to share and interact.
xo,
Kellyann
Your outfits are fabulous as always, and I enjoyed catching up on everything happening in your corner of the world. Thanks for hosting the link party!
Thanks, Laura! It was a good week here!
Hi there, Marsha. Your outfits look nice and comfortable. Thank you for sharing your homepage link with Life Captured. You visit was appreciated. Stop by anytime you like!
All the Best.
Debra @ Life Captured
Thanks, Debra! I hope you’ll keep visiting us, too! Is your homepage visit link up every week? I love your blog…it’s unique from most I read.
I love all your outfits from the past week, Marsha, and it was fun to hear more about your week, too! Your work as a docent sounds like the perfect retirement gig for you. I would love to go on our tour with you!
Thanks, Laura! It’s been such a wonderful experience being a docent. I love talking to people, looking at the art as a guest, and just being out of the house. It’s kinda my respite right now. If you’re ever in the Indianapolis region, let me know!
Your tour outfit is beautiful! I love that shade of blue on you. It’s really striking! I am cracking about Nigel’s phone wallpaper! I bet the ladies in the office had a great laugh. I have been trying to take daily selfies for the outfits I don’t properly photograph but I cannot get the right angles or anything. Either my phone is covering my face or a huge portion of the outfit. Maybe I need a different mirror setup or something. Argghh. I don’t know. You have the full length mirror selfies mastered! Please help me! LOL
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I need to tinker a bit with tying it better. I always end up with my grandma’s boobs…saggy and big! IRL…I don’t think they’re that big. Oh, it was so funny walking in there because I knew exactly what they had been looking at! I do often flip him off because he needs a reminder every once in a while. I don’t really have any tips. Do you use the button on the left hand side? I think it’s the bottom button. That one works better, I think, than trying to use the white circle in the photo app itself. You’ll get the hang of it soon, I’m sure.
Loved this weekly fashion roundup! It’s inspiring to see real-life outfits, personal stories, and style inspiration all in one place. Wishing Nigel a smooth recovery and looking forward to more Fashion Files posts
Thanks so much for the good wishes for Nigel. It’s been a bit of a struggle remembering to take that daily photo!
So fun seeing your everyday outfits! I love your Sunday look! That dress is fabulous!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thank you, Jill! It’s hard to remember to snap a photo, but I’m getting better at it!
I adore a tour of an art exhibition! Off on a study tour soon with The Courtauld. Loved your story of Nigel’s phone- flipping him the bird! Thanks for linking
Thanks, Gail! We are lucky to get these little inside tours to learn more about the artists and how the works were acquired. I’m glad you liked the story…we both laughed quite a bit!