You may notice something a little different. Yes, I had my stylist give me bangs. My hair has thinned so badly right there, and she thought that would help disguise the fact. I am still trying to figure out how to style them. One would think I’d never had bangs (or fringe if you’re in the UK)! One would be wrong! Today is the third Thursday of January which means it’s time for an Ageless Style challenge. This month, Joanne selected Winter Blues. In the past we have worn jeans, splurges, chocolate and cream, holiday casual, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, and here, and here. Next month’s prompt is “Reds and Pinks” in case you’d like to join us! Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites! Today is also a Global Writing Challenge. I’ll have another post ready for that, and it’s all about “Something New!”
Winter blues…
Do you have SAD? Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real thing. It’s typically the result of shortened days like we get beginning in the fall and even in the spring as the days are lengthening. Some people find antidepressants help them with it while others use light therapy or even just go for a walk in the sunshine. I don’t have SAD, but I know of a few people who do. It is a form of depression so it shouldn’t be laughed away as just one of those things. If you think you have it, you might want to consider talking to your doctor. You can read more about it here.
Winter blues…
I think, when Joanne suggested this theme, she truly meant what blues do we wear in the winter, right? I don’t have lots of blue in my closet. It seems like I say that about every color. I think when I say that, I’m always thinking of the primary colors. So, with that in mind, I probably have lots of blues in my closet. I don’t necessarily have a lot of blue winter clothing except for blue jeans. For some reason, I seem to associate blue with spring and summer. And, I’ll be honest…I didn’t realize this Thursday was the third Thursday. We did a photo day last week so I thought I was set. I was painting on Tuesday so we had to quickly snap these photos on Wednesday. You’ll also notice my head is slightly clipped, but I didn’t have the heart to ask Nigel to redo the photo shoot!
Our weather…
We got eleven inches of snow last week which is the most we’ve gotten since we moved down to Central Indiana. The strange thing about this snow storm was the northern part of the state got less snow. We are going to have somewhat warmer days Thursday through Saturday, but, boy howdy! The first few days of next week are going to have highs of 11 (-11.7C) with lows below zero. That electric blanket is going to feel so good! Luckily, I have quite a few photos on the old camera reel for posts next week!
My outfit…
I told Nigel I was just going to throw on a pair of jeans, a blue sweater, and my blue puffy coat. But, then I remembered this wonderful lightweight denim dress from J Jill. I’ve worn it as a duster as well as a dress. It’s from three or four years ago, I would guess. As a rule, I’m not a fan of the tabbed sleeve. But, the fabric of this dress is so soft that the cuffs won’t stay in place. I really need the button tabs. Since I was wearing lots of bracelets (do we still call them arm parties?), I did button the cuffs up. I was freezing when we took the photos! I love these striped footless leggings and like to wear them with different things. I don’t even remember where I got them. It’s a pretty basic outfit for me, but I think the leggings make it a little more fun.
The Lewk!
These are my old snow boots! We tried to take photos of me out in the snow, but Nigel couldn’t get close enough. It’s been bitterly cold here so he stayed on the porch. I decided to keep it real and wear the boots. These are so old…the heel on one has been superglued on so many times. But, they’re warm, and they keep my feet dry (unless I’m in really deep snow). These are all pieces from World Finds. I encourage you to look there if you’re in need (or just want) of new jewelry. You’ll be shopping at a sustainable site as well as supporting women across the globe. All of the Milieu pieces were gifted to me (bracelet, bracelet, bracelets, earrings, necklace), but I purchased the long necklace. I knotted it and really like the way it looks. I usually drape it around my neck a couple of times.
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I usually change out of what I’m wearing in the photos, partly because of the time of day and partly because I like to be comfortable. Today, when we took these photos, I was so comfortable. I just took off the jewelry, added a long cardigan, and some toasty socks, and I’ve been quite happy all day long. So, can we talk? Do you get the Winter Blues? Or, are you happy to just cuddle up in the house, pull up a throw, and let the wind blow as it will? How do you keep warm when it’s so daggone cold? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
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Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World and A Fresh Cup of Coffee. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop (Esme’s Salon) and Slices of Life. 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, Lisa, and Sue. 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!
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As you have already heard from me, I don’t get the winter blues. If it weren’t for snow, I think I would live quite happily in the Northern regions where the winters are pretty much dark all the time. I used to have a friend with SAD, though, and light therapy helped her enormously.
That’s a really cute outfit. I love denim so much although I don’t wear it as often anymore since I’m working from home and discovered a dress style that’s comfortable.
Cat
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
Oh, I would love to visit Norway and see the Midnight Sun, probably just once! I meant to ask you what part of German you’re in. My mother’s side of the family was German. In fact, my grandma Luderman was first generation American. The strange thing was she never had a German accent or even spoke German. There were a few German words she used, but we didn’t realize they were German at the time.
Believe it or not, this isn’t really denim. It’s Tencel and is really comfortable. It’s also quite lightweight which meant I was freezing when we took the photos!
Thanks, Cat!!!
I’m Swabian from Southwest Germany. Sometimes when people speak Swabish on TV, it gets captioned in High German, lol. My mother wasn’t Swabian, though, her parents were from Westphalia, they went to the East (Poland today) to open a small grocery store and were driven out during the war finally coming back to Westphalia.
I honestly don’t know what part of German either of my grandparents were from. I really should try to find that out. I can find where my Grandma Luderman’s mom came through Ellis Island, but that’s about it. I do know there were family waiting for her in the big city close to where I grew up. I’m going to see if my older sister knows. She’s more up on that than I am!
Looks super on you, love the length too. Thanks for hosting the link up Marsha. Have a super week x Jacqui.
Thank you so much, Jacqui! I love this little dress. It’s so versatile! You are welcome for the link up…I’m glad you joined us! Have a fabulous weekend!
Living in FL, I don’t suffer form SAD. The days are shorter but the sun is up and so bright enough of the day that I’m okay. I’ll say though, that when we were in Philly at Christmas and it got darker earlier – and so much looked kinda gray, I could see that I’d feel differently. If I lived in that environment I’d have to make some changes!
Love your bangs! It is an adjustment styling them though when you haven’t had them in awhile. Your dress is such a good one. I like that you can make it cozy for winter but then wear it when the weather warms too! I need to check out JJill!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! It really is an adjustment when you’re not used to them…and, then they’re so fine and thin. But, I’ll get there. This dress is from 3 or 4 years ago, but they always seem to do one. It’s a Tencel fabric, I think, so it’s actually really lightweight. I was definitely freezing!
I love the early dark days and am already regretting the later light. There’s just something so cozy about those dinners eaten after dark. Obviously, I don’t have SAD, right? I think last year or the year before we went several days of no sun. That did get to be a little dreary.
That is a fun look! I was originally going to wear blue jeans with a blue sweater too but I realized I had already showed off all my blue sweaters. I do try to get out on those sunny days and I take a vitamin D supplement in winter because I do find that winter is just so dreary and easy for me to feel blah about doing anything otherwise.
Thanks, Joanne! I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who was thinking that, but, once I saw this dress, I decided it was time to use it again on the blog. I think sunny days really do help. Right now, it’s just so cold that you don’t want to be out too long!
That is such a cute dress on you. And wow, that’s a lot of snow for Indiana! My daughter lives near you and she thinks they got about 8 inches.
Thanks, Amy! I can remember getting this much snow when I was a kid. Global warming has changed everything.
I love your bangs Marsha! And that dress is so cute on you! We barely got any snow – it’s just so cold!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I just need to keep at them to figure out how I want them to go. The day we took the photos, I’d done a center part. I haven’t worn a center part since the 80s! Part of it is getting used to the new look. This snowstorm was weird. There was more snow the farther south you went instead of the way it usually is.
First of all, the snow shovel is actually perfect for the pictures: a nice contrast and a fun reminder of the weather you are having! I love that you chose something denim and you freezing while you took the pictures reminds me of all the times it happens to me: usually it’s more like I am sweating buckets in summer taking fall pictures! Those leggings/tights look cozy and the stripes add some fun!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thank you…Mike wanted to move it out of the photos, but I said it was necessary since we were talking winter! Oh, you have no idea how cold I was! But, Mike was even colder because he was standing out in the wind. I really want to get some more of these tights because they’re footless so you can easily wear thicker socks with them.
I think your bangs look really good! You have a great stylist. And how cold is it there with you? Wow! That’s so cold. Great choice for the blue theme. In my head you wear a lot of blue
Thanks, Nancy! I do have an amazing stylist! I really wish I had her hair, too! You wouldn’t believe how cold it’s been. Tonight, it was 32 (0C), and it actually felt warm. You know what’s funny? Today, I was in my closet looking for my painting clothes, and I looked through my closet. I do have a lot of blue! But, I always think in terms of the true blue (or red or green or whatever). I forget there are different shades of blue!
I wish I could do bangs, but they get so frizzy with the slightest bit of humidity! I love the look on you! Your dress looks fabulous on you, and I really like the addition of the striped leggings and colorful jewelry!
Thank you, Laura! I wore bangs for so many years and then grew them out when I went grey. I just have to get back into the swing of things with them. I really like this dress and am glad I used it for this post.
Yes to this chic denim look! The long necklace look so perfect with it.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! I really liked the way the necklace looked once I knotted it! I really love this brand and can always find something there!
Your bangs are so cute, Marsha, and I love the winter blue on you! It looks cozy with the tights and boots and your jewelry adds the perfect touch of color! Here in Minnesota it’s going to be -9 this weekend so I’ll be curled up trying to stay warm!
Thank you so much, Laura! Although the dress looks like denim, it’s actually a tencel so I was freezing! Yes, we are going to have frigid temps next week. I’m not looking forward to that at all.
Marsha, I got all mixed up about the week too! LOL! How is it the third week in January already?!? I love the bangs. I have always wanted bangs but every good hairdresser has told me it’s not the right look for me, yet I love it on soooooo many people including you. Thinning hair is a thing and I am dreading it. My poor sister is battling it and she is still so young. It honestly worries me. Grey hair, bring it on. Thinning hair no so much. Anyway, love the little denim dress, I don’t know why I didn’t think about blue jeans as blue. LOL! I also don’t have much blue in my closet. Have a great weekend.
bosbodaciousblog.blogspot.ca
Thanks, Bo! I really was surprised when I saw the messages on Insta and then looked at the calendar! Oh, well, I have photos for next week now. I’ve had bangs before and never struggled with them as much as I am this time. I think it’s all in my head (as well as on it). Oh, the thinning hair really has me bothered which probably doesn’t help. I used to wear my hair in shorter cuts, but my stylist said my scalp would really show since I went grey. Just another fun part of getting older.
You know, I looked in my closet, and I do have a lot of blue just not the primary color blue which is what my mind was thinking of!
The leggings and all of the colorful jewelry really make the outfit so fun. Gosh, I remember those freezing days. Sending sun and warmth,
XOOX
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I just love these leggings…they’re actually footless tights, I think. I like that you have the coverage of tights, but then you can wear nice thick socks. I don’t like to wear two pairs of socks because of my weird foot. Would you believe it was almost 50 here today (Friday)? Monday’s low will be in the negatives, though!
I always enjoy seeing this colorful jewelry, and it really pops against the denim dress! I’ve had to get used to the experience of being too far north to get the snow sometimes when a storm comes through the midwest. We haven’t had much snow yet this year (and that’s OK with me…I just like enough for things to look white and pretty).
Thanks, Sally! This is the first really big snowfall we’ve had since we moved here almost ten years ago. The crazy thing is it was almost 50 degrees today (Friday), but we’ll be down to negatives at night once the wind chill is figured in. Luckily, we don’t have to go too many places next week.
Nigel does a fabulous job!! Of course, look at his subject matter. Love the dress. I think I might have one very much like it. Haven’t thought of wearing it as a duster but like that idea. This month…THIS MONTH…I have to get into that closet and part with some things. I read a post over at Kellyann’s and she said we need to dress for our season of life. And I have a closet of dresses that I don’t wear because I don’t go anywhere to wear them. Anyway, love that you were painting the bathroom when you remembered this post, it snuck up on us!! And that Nigel obliged you. The snow shovel is a cheery accessory, the warm boots are like best friends, I am sure. Stay safe and warm in that snow.
Thanks, Leslie! I’ll tell him! I read Kellyann’s post, too. I have all those dresses and skirts, too, but I’m not parting with them yet. I’m going to get back in the habit of going to church so I’ll wear them then! Mike said I should move the shovel, and I said it was a good prop! The snow melted a bit last week, but this week we have temperatures hovering around zero and below that at night. We have been hibernating…well, actually, I’ve been painting the bathroom!