A tribute to my bronze flats

If you’re a Facebook follower, then you know that I have some sad news to share. I stubbed my toe (twice) earlier this week and scraped a big gash along my beloved bronze flats. These flats served me well for almost a decade.

My bronze flats were there with at the beginning of this blog, and there with me when we bought our first home:

They were amazingly versatile, quietly supporting all the colors of my closet’s rainbow, including black, brown, navy, green, red, white, orange, purple, olive, and teal.

And they walked with ease between casual and work outfits.

These flats were also world travellers, going with me to the UAE and back:

Here’s to you, bronze flats, here’s to you.

Related articles:

• Just me and my shoes (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• For the Love of Shoes: Part One (lapetitemodeblog.wordpress.com)
• let’s talk flats (dieanners.wordpress.com)
• Must love shoes. (inizioedge.wordpress.com)

Easter style, then and now

Today is an extra-special, super-sized, Easter-themed fashion flashback post! I had a lot of fun with this one — hope y’all enjoy it, too!

Below is one of my favorite childhood photos, circa Easter 1983. I love this photo for several reasons:

• My fabulous egg-shaped Easter basket 
• My oh-so-serious, girl-on-a-mission facial expression and purposeful walk (everyone else looks lackadaisical, don’t they? But not me!)
• Stripes! ♥

And I thought it would be fun to recreate the look, for a then-and-now style perspective. I borrowed my husband’s striped polo shirt to echo the striped shirt from my childhood. I kept things very simple, with my new khaki ankle pants, my beloved bronze flats, and of course, my childhood Easter basket! ♥

Details:  New khaki ankle pants:  Macy’s, gift-carded  /  Striped polo shirt:  My husband’s  /  Bronze flats:  Kmart, old  /  Red striped flats:  Target, new

Sam loves catching a shot of my hair in a breeze. I seem unimpressed by this.

I kind of love how awkward my limbs look in the shot above.

Ditto, below:

Also, just for a quick change at the end, I donned my new red-and-white striped flats (loafers?), which are irresistibly adorable. (Target was having a buy 1, get 1 1/2 off sale, which Sam said counted under my shopping limitations. Who am I to argue with such logic?! )

Here’s a close-up:

For the final touch, here’s a close-up of the fun stripe detail on the shirt collar:

And yes, this outfit is what I’m wearing this Easter Sunday afternoon (I slipped on this outfit yesterday for a quick photo shoot in order to save time today). This very simple, casual ensemble feels just right for a Southern-style Easter luncheon with friends.

Happy Easter, y’all! And be sure to tune back in tomorrow, as I have exciting news about my first giveaway + first-year blogiversary countdown!

Link ups:  OTI Easter Linkup  /  Sunday Style   /  Watch What I’m Wearing

Related articles:

• Fashion flashback (feathersfreckles.blogspot.com)
• HAPPY EASTER Mood Board (bluemountain.com)
• Easter Nails: Bunnies, Baby Chicks and More Manicure Ideas (myfashioncents.com)

Fashion flashback: Trends I loved in 2012

I like classic lines and silhouettes, but I have been more aware of trends than ever before during this past year of style blogging. I’m certainly not immune, but the trends I’ve gone for this past year all seem pretty long-lasting or cyclical to me. So here are my takes this past year on chambray, statement necklaces, oxblood / burgundy, cargo vests, and novelty print sweaters.

Chambray

A classic that got more attention this past year. I picked up two chambray button-downs this year, one lightweight in blue, and one in grey.

Statement necklaces

No bubble necklaces for me, which were all the rage this past year, but I did pick up a collar necklace with a gift card in early spring. I also dug into my collection of vintage jewelry from my mother and grandmother — proof that style is cyclical!

Oxblood

Oxblood, aka maroon, burgundy, or plain old dark red. It’s a trend to enjoy every autumn.

Cargo vests

My love for this Old Navy cargo vest is well-documented. This is one trend, and neutral color, that I think will be a long-lasting one in my closet.

Novelty print sweaters

The trend of novelty print sweaters, especially critter prints, was huge this fall. This was one trend I happily succumbed to, falling in love with these two sweaters from Old Navy.

What trends do you foresee or look forward to in 2013?

Related articles

• If you like cargo vests… (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Feeling Fierce: The Chambray Shirt (ashlyandmonkey.wordpress.com)
• Long Live Chambray! (savoringstyle.wordpress.com)
• Catwalk to Closet: Oxblood (verilymag.com)
• How Do You Wear It? Fall 2012′s Oxblood Trend (fashionbombdaily.com)
• Trendspotting: Burgundy (thefashionerrd.wordpress.com)
• H&M Womenswear Trend Guide Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 (earthyessences.wordpress.com)

Fashion flashback: From UAE with love

I realized it’s been quite a while since my last “fashion flashback” post, and this time, I’m highlighting some snaps from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in honor of the recently observed Eid al-Adha holiday. During 2008 – 2011, we lived and worked in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. And if you’re a regular reader, you will recognize quite a few of the pieces below. Enjoy!

On a trip to the Fujairah coast and the outer Emirates, Fall 2010

Along the Abu Dhabi Corniche, New Year’s Day 2011

My toes basking in the warm glow at the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, in April 2011. And, yes, I’m wearing my own abaya and shayla!

At the public beach along the Corniche. The henna tattoo is from a library event in Fall 2009. And yes, my double-jointedness is quite obvious in this shot.

At the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, January 2009. Head scarves (shaylas) are not required for women, but I found out that they are practical, as they do help protect you from the (near constant) heat and humidity.

At the Abu Dhabi Capitala Tennis Tournament, January 2010

At a shopping souk in Abu Dhabi, 2011. I love the textures Sam was able to capture in this photo!

Out at the old Abu Dhabi National Theatre during a Film Festival screening, Fall 2009

Related articles

• Debut F/W in Abu Dhabi (fashionslast.wordpress.com)
• Fashion flashback: Abu Dhabi 2011 (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)

Fashion flashback: Birthday roses

Sam’s directions for this photo: “Be cute!” I tried.

My beloved bronze flats

Downtown Portland, in Pioneer Square. This is where I lean. Or as my friend Maeve would put it, “leaning beautifully.”

Some of the best-smelling roses in the Rose Garden!

With my birthday balloon!

When?  August 12, 2011

What for?  It’s my birthday! It’s my birthday! This lovely rose-colored dress was a gift last year from my mom, and I wore it on my birthday last year, when we visited Portland’s International Rose Test Garden. And I’m wearing this dress again this year. Seems a bit of a pattern, hmmmm….

Also, it’s fun to see how much my hair has grown this past year.

Details?

• Graphic pattern dress:  JCPenney, gift from my mom (2011)
• Brown cardigan:  Dress Barn, part of a dress combo (2010)
• Bronze flats:  Kmart, ages ago
• Wicker-and-bakelite purse:  Vintage, art fair in Chicago (2007 trip)
• Wood-and-bronze beaded bracelet:  Handmade, Spittelberg Christmas Market, Vienna (2009 trip)
• Bronze hoop earrings:  Kohls, a few years ago

Related articles

• Fashion flashback: Abu Dhabi 2011 (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)
• Fashion Flashback: A Look at Sundance Style Over the Past Decade (fabsugar.com)
• Fashion flashback: Summer 2010 (librarianforlifestyle.wordpress.com)