I really had intended to do this more often. The only other time I did it was in July (seen here)! I have lots of ideas just not as much time to bring them to fruition. I’m going to work harder at doing this, though, because it forces me to wear my clothes differently as well as providing me with content for the blog!
Transitions…
I’m not one to worry so much about making my summer clothes work for me during the winter months. I did just that for an Ageless Style challenge a month or so ago. In the first place, I have plenty of winter clothes. And, secondly, I’m usually tired of my summer clothes by then. I know I’m in the minority when I think of certain things as being summer and others being winter. Here’s the secret to that…and we can all say it together…you do you, boo! I just like the idea of having two distinct wardrobes. I also know I’m very, very fortunate to be able to have the resources to do just that.
Too many clothes…
The case can definitely be made that I have far too many clothes. I acknowledge that. Some of them, however, are decades old, and I continue to wear them. I am also guilty of buying several of the same thing in different colors. Oh, you like this cardigan, Marsha? Here it is in eleventy million other colors. I don’t buy those cardigans anymore. I do have lots of white tees because they are, for the most part, all different. I do have three tees of the same make and model. It’s just a basic white vee neck. The thing is, I know, one of these days, I’m going to stain it, rip it, or wear it out. So, I bought extras at a good price. I am in the process of purging my closet and will be listing things on Poshmark (though that rarely works for me). I also have a big bag to take to Goodwill and have several things at a consignment store.
Shopping…
Do I shop too much? Absolutely! I’ll be the first to admit it. But, I lived for decades barely shopping. Nigel and I both got our Bachelor’s Degrees; I got my Master’s Degree; and we put three kids through private colleges. None of the kids have student loans because that was our graduation gift to them. We paid off their loans. We also gave all three money for down payments on homes. So, at this time in my life, I do shop. I look for bargains and rarely pay full price with only a few exceptions. I guess you could read this as being a little defensive, and I would agree. I just don’t want to sound like shopping is my life. It definitely isn’t, though I do enjoy it!
Blogging…
Hmmm…have I spent more since I began blogging? I think the easy answer here is yes. But, it’s more complicated than that. I probably would have made several purchases anyway but maybe not as many. Like many of you, I read a lot of blogs. I have to tell you, what I spend on clothing is nothing compared to many. I sometimes gasp at what some pay for a simple blazer (OK, not a simple one exactly, but you know what I mean). Several of my friends thought I received most of the clothing I wear on the blog for free. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Trust me, I lose money every year on this blog as it’s not monetized which was a choice Nigel and I made. I could have chosen a different hosting platform. I could really market my blog to make money. But, that would make it a job. I have to say, though, it’s the most fun “job” I’ve ever had that I lost money instead of made it!
The outfit…
This dress has appeared on the blog twice now (here, here). I think it’s so special, I decided to style it again! Every once in a while I have the opportunity to shop Gudrun Sjödén’s upcoming season (with a discount even). So, I bought this Anemone cardigan, thinking it would look really nice with this “Höstanemone” jersey dress. I haven’t tried them together yet. I think they’ll go together. In any event, I have lots that will with work both the dress and the cardigan. In the other two posts, I wore an ivory slip. For this outfit, I swapped the ivory for a cranberry color which matches the cardigan quite nicely. I’m not 100% sure I would wear this look as the weather gets colder because the dress, even with the slip, is rather thin. The cardigan, though, is nice and warm.
The Lewk!
I wanted my look to speak for itself so I kept the accessories to a minimum. I rarely wear a lot of bracelets when it gets colder because they’re always under my sweater sleeves! The necklace and earrings are Kendra Scott and are three or four years old at least. They’re more rust than red, but they were the closest I had! These are the Waterlily boots by L’Artiste. I have looked and looked and can’t find them except for resale sites. I don’t link to those because I’m never sure if they’re the genuine article. I thought they did a nice job of picking up the green in the cardigan. I kinda bookended my look, right?
Wrap it up, Marsha!
Oof! I do sound like a spoiled brat, don’t I? I seem to go in spurts when I don’t shop at all, and then, all of a sudden, there’s an influx of wonderfulness! Plus, it was my birthday last month so I splurged a little. So, can we talk? Are you a shopper or a non-shopper? Do you have multiples of certain items because you know you’ll need them sooner or later? Do I sound like a self-absorbed person? (Maybe don’t answer that last one :-)!) Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Thank you!
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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!
Excellent read Marsha, I’m the same as you with buying, although I get gifted quite a lot of bits now xx Jacqui x
Thanks, Jacqui! I don’t receive much, but when I do, I’ve very excited!
Haha, you made me laugh at breakfast! So my day starts good right. Your kids are so lucky to have parents like you and Nigel!
I love this layered look, the cardigan is also very pretty. I am a shopper! But you probably knew that. Always have been. And I’m not bothered by that at all!
Thanks, Nancy! I’m glad I gave you a good chuckle! Yep, I knew you were a shopper and could relate! You always look beautiful, too!
As mentioned before, I’m the opposite of a fashionista. So no, I don’t shop, but I own the same top in different colors, some of them more than once because it’s exactly what I was looking for and I won’t need to shop tops for years now even if they wear out. I also own the same dress in five colors, I wear those round the house all the time.
Cat
https://catswire.blogspot.com/
I do have a couple of dresses in different colors but the same style. Mostly, it’s sweaters and tee shirts!
Thanks, Cat!
Nice one!
Thanks, Mie!
I too am a shopper and I definitely have different wardrobes for different times of the year and weather. I also look forward to that change when I can swap out one for another and I get excited to see what clothes I’ve forgotten about while they were packed away. This fall has been so weird though that at least twice now I’ve had to pull down a tote of spring/summer things because I needed something so lightweight on those oddly hot days. However, this week is in the 40’s so I won’t have to worry about that!
I’m lucky in that my closet is huge…I made sure of that when we moved. That way, I don’t have to swap anything out. Sometimes, I may move sweaters around in their places so they’re more easily reached. We haven’t had any truly hot days for a while now. It’s been jeans and sweatshirt weather for a few weeks now. I thought it was snowing earlier today, but it was just a tree with really tiny leaves! I was so excited!
Thanks, Joanne!
Wow, Marsha! What a blessing you and Nigel were too your children. Being able to give them down payments and pay for their private college tuition is such a gift and that certainly entitles you to SHOP!!! I just cleaned out my closet on Sunday and donated several huge bags to a friend from church. If I had space I’d move my clothes seasonally.
This was fun to read!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! Well, the oldest two received very good scholarships. It was much easier to pay Greek house fees when the oldest was the only one in college. Our youngest, who is probably the most intelligent, waited until the last minute so he didn’t receive as much. The funny (not haha funny) thing is he commuted to college, but his degree cost the most! He is, however, the only one actually using his degree! I wish I had someone to donate clothing to locally. I end up just donating it to Goodwill which is not my favorite, but many of our Friendship students (the Bible study I help teach for special needs adults) work there. I actually don’t have to move my clothes. I made sure my closet was plenty big this time around. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
I love this cute jacket with this dress! I also lose money on my blog. Lol! We need to keep it fresh, right? Thanks for your honesty my friend!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I wanted to use the cardigan and was going to wear it with something else. But, then I decided to do another TIAT post so I tried it with the dress. I really do love the way they look together! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one losing money…I guess misery loves company, right?
I love your perspective on having distinct summer and winter wardrobes—it’s all about how you feel and what works for you. And as you said, “you do you, boo!” That’s the key to personal style—wearing what makes you feel good and comfortable.
Thanks so much, Melody! Oh, you are so right…the key to personal style is wearing what makes you feel good and comfortable! I love that!
Hi Marsha,
No you do not sounds spoiled! You sound generous, with paying off student load debt and down payments. Its your time now, and shopping is fun! It is not my life either, but I do go on these bouts as well. Usually when I have money I can’t find anything, but I see things now I would like to add. I havent bought tall boots in an age, and I am waiting on a pair of brown ones, to hopefully last years. I too, rarely buy full price, and do go through my closet every season to purge and give to our local chaity, Lydia’s Loft. Or Uncommon Threads, keeping only what I am truling wearing now.
I love that white dress, the embroidery and design is lovely! The jacket print is eyecatching too! I am like you I have the Fall/Winter closet and the Spring/Summer closet. Just how I think.
jess xx
enjoy your week
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thanks, Jess! We have been very fortunate in have three really wonderful kids. They are all gainfully employed and just really good people at heart. I honestly couldn’t be more proud of them. So, it was money well invested! Oh, I am just like you…when I have money, I can’t find a thing I like. And, those days when I don’t have the money, I find all the things! I do wish we had a better charity close to us. Our church has a clothing pantry, but they seem to always need men’s or children’s clothing. I have taken things to a local consignment store that donates to a charity and tell them to sell what they want and donate the rest.
I really am in love with this dress and will be wearing it lots next spring and summer. But, I thought the cardigan really worked well with it as a transitional piece. I forgot to mention my closet is just one huge closet with all the clothing in there.
Thanks again, Jess!
Cute look! I’m not much of a shopper, but when I find something I love, I keep it as long as I can. Visiting from Talking About it Tuesdays linkup.
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I have a couple of sweaters my husband bought me at a kiosk in the mall probably in the early 90s. I need to get them out and see if they fit. Every time I see them, I’m reminded of that night. I had had a particularly rough day, and he saw these sweaters. He asked me if I’d like one. There was a deal (isn’t there always), and I ended up with two of them. Each time I take them out, I ask him if he remembers…he still does! I’m so glad you visited!
This is the first time I have read your blog Marsha and I really enjoyed, and related to what I read. Like you we spent years saving money buying houses, educating our children and putting ourselves and what we wore last. I think now is the time to spoil ourselves if we can. My priorities are travel and clothes, obviously after the necessities of life like food, house and car maintenance and petrol . Having said that I still can’t bring myself to pay for full price so I usually get things at sales, charity shops or at thrift markets.
I do have a separate summer and winter wardrobe but that’s mainly because our winter are quite cold by Australian standards and very hot by Australian standards. There is some time of transition but basically it’s winter or summer.
I’ve signed up for your blog and look forward to reading more.
Cheers Judith
@judith_fashionandtravel
Welcome, Judith! I’m so glad you enjoyed my post. I am not a thrifter for many reasons, but one of the biggest is the dearth of them near me. I think that’s just what we do as parents, don’t you? Sometimes, I wondered if we had done too much, but my kids are all very productive citizens as well as all around wonderful people. So, I think we did something right!
We still have four seasons here in Central Indiana in the US. This has been a rather strange year. We’ve actually had a nice long fall. The last few years, it lasted for a week or so.
I hope to hear more from you, Judith! Thank you again for subscribing!
That cardigan is incredible and I love how it really stands out against the white dress.
I was nodding to everything you said…I shop too much, but I always say it’s a better addiction than drugs. And I don’t spend more than my means.
XOOX
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I wish I could say I’d knitted it, but it’s also intarsia. That’s one type of knitting I haven’t tried yet. I definitely spend within my means. One big rule here is pay the full balance every month! Plus those reward points really add up!
Very pretty, especially the boots.
Thank you, Rosie! I really love these boots and wear them a lot!
I definitely have a summer and winter wardrobe but I do try to extend my summer clothing as long as I can – mainly because the weather is always hit or miss until we hit winter. I’m a shopper but I’m always looking for a deal and rarely buy something full price. I’d rather stalk something until it goes on sale or find a dupe/similar piece elsewhere. Anyway, I love this look! Your cardigan is really pretty!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks so much, Jill! Our weather is just slightly different than yours here in Central Indiana. When we lived up north, it was very similar. Either way, I totally get that you can wake up in the “winter” and end the day in the “summer.” That’s why I’m so lucky to have one closet now. Oh, I love to stalk things, too! It’s part of the fun of shopping.
I love that cardigan with that dress! Amazing.
Thanks, Lisa! I wasn’t sure…in my head, it worked…I had to actually put it on to see how well they went together!