Fashion Friday and a Sunny Perspective

Happy Friday! We have a great big beautiful weekend unfolding before us! Anything could happen! I have to tell you up here in Michigan we watched the thermometer shoot up and down like an amusement park ride this week! Less than a week ago it was single digits cold… for a few weeks. Then the temp shot up and much of the snow and ice melted. Yesterday it was in the upper fifties. Today, its cold again and snowing giant snowflakes the size of sandwich lettuce… ok maybe not that big… but big! I opened the door to let Kasey out this morning and a gust of icy wind and snow blew in and she looked at me like “Really?” And then she found that “can do” spirit and marched out that door like a warrior! (But she came back in pretty quickly!)

I hope your week has gone well! Mine has been getting a bit busier as things regroup after the holidays. My sister and I tried a 3 day diet this week. She followed it to the letter, and I got a bit creative with it (its just easier that way!) The good news is, I didn’t put on any weight! Victory!

Just a quick note, if you notice at the top of this blog page, there is a bar under my blog title with 3 tabs to the left. One says “Fashion”, one says “Food” and one says “Subscribe”. If you click on either the Fashion or the Food tabs, it will pull up all the blog posts I’ve written on that topic. This is helpful if you are a big fan of one or the other.

Also, the subscribe button will get the blog post sent to your email box if you would like to receive it that way.

On that same bar, if you look over to the right, you will see the different social media symbols for the platforms this blog has a presence on. For instance, some people always click on my blog through Facebook. If you would like to follow my blog on any of those social media options, simply click on the one you like, and “like” and or “follow” me.  I’m hoping to learn and grow and improve this blog, and I so appreciate you checking in on what is happening!

Special thanks to my husband Troy for his help with the pictures this week!

So on to the fashion for this week! We will be blessed with lots more winter up here, so even though the spring fashions are starting to peak their heads like early tulips, its sweater weather for awhile, the perfect season for coffee drinking! Cheers!

So first up is a knotted olive green 3/4 sleeve tee, and dark blue cardigan. I wore the cardigan (with a gray tee) yesterday to work, and because it was in the 50’s I used it as my coat, and then just kept it on inside as it is so comfy!

So lets talk about the Cozychic Hooded Cardigan by Barefoot Dreams at Nordstrom, this is one I’ve shown before on the blog. This is probably my favorite cardigan I own because the fabric is so soft, you would think it was spun by the angels in Heaven! (below I had it paired with a white tee). On the Nordstrom site, this sweater had 743 reviews written on it, and 4.7 out of 5 stars. I know why. Its like wearing your favorite blanket but with sleeves!

Barefoot Dreams makes all sorts of things with their heavenly fabrics, including blankets, socks, wraps, robes, lounge pants, super soft baby toys, all sorts of things that are so soft its like love woven into every garment!

Its just the perfect comfy day cardigan, and while its a little spendy, if you just add one to your wardrobe, its like that occasional luxury dinner… so good, and life is just better with a few luxuries added in from time to time!

By the way, I did get one of these for my mom in a slightly shorter cut a few months ago, and she loved it! It makes a perfect gift!

Here is the tee without the sweater, a 3/4 tee with a twist front. This Cozy Fleece Pullover from Gibson comes in so many colors, its a great tee in a super soft fabric. The tee has 726 reviews with 4.6 out of 5 stars.

So lets talk about this necklace! This is brand new from Stella & Dot (it came in the mail yesterday!) And it might be my new favorite long necklace from Stella & Dot! Its the Natia Layered Necklace, and its two necklaces in one! You can wear them together or separate! Its a statement piece you can wear with practically everything! And I will be wearing mine a lot! They make a great pair of earrings, the Georgia Hoops,  that match it too!

Next is the Wubby Fleece Pullover from Thread & Supply. You gotta just love a shirt called a “Wubby”!

Friends, this is so soft and toasty warm! It is thick, and is lined inside with a super soft fabric! I actually am not wearing a tee underneath, and you really don’t need it!

And there are pockets! I saw it had 193 reviews and 4.1 stars out of 5. Perfect for blustery days!

Its a little bit puffy but oh so cozy! I’m wearing a medium and I tend to float between medium and large on sizes (at least right now… working on that!). 

Next is a Halogen black pullover with pinstripe bell cuffs.

You can see the sleeves are a little long, which is actually on trend with bell sleeves. You can create these rather dramatic looks with them. My husband really liked them. I was kind of surprised as he doesn’t speak into fashion much, so I was pleasantly surprised and I said, “You do?” And he responded, “They are perfect sleeves for when you are eating spaghetti and you can’t find a napkin… you just take your sleeve and wipe your face!” So there you go! A hidden gem with this top! I don’t know if Halogen had that in mind, but it works!

Kasey hears Jake just pulled up. That means he will be making a late dinner. That is good news for Kasey!

So here I wanted to show you a close up of the necklace I’m wearing, another new statement necklace from Stella & Dot, The Sullivan.

Layers of strands, some with a white enamel bead with flecks of gold, and some strands just gleaming metals, and that strand with the longer beads a combination of silver and gold, so many options and ways to wear this necklace. This arrived at my door yesterday afternoon as well, so I will be playing with this necklace all through the year I am sure!

I also am wearing a great pair of shoes that arrived this week, a pair of mules, the “Faith” mule by Johnston & Murphy, on sale for 40% off! 

I’ve never worn Johnston & Murphy shoes before, but these are so comfortable! A super blocky heel, with a minimalist feel. They have an almond toe, but its plenty spacious! I did size up per the reviews. I’m normally a 7 to a 7 1/2, and these are 8’s and fit like a dream! Honestly, I do like having a little bit of heel in my shoes. I am never quite comfortable in shoes that are completely flat. I have been seeing that loafers are really in right now, so I may be shopping more of those to see how they feel.

And finally, another red cardigan, this one with some foo foo fancy sleeves!

The Halogen Light Weight Tie Sleeve Cardigan, with a loose and flowy bell cuff on the end with a tie string.

I’m carrying an animal print tote, which has been a really fun add this year! The nice thing about the bag being i animal print is that it can go with so many different outfits, and it brings a bit of whimsy, and I love whimsy!

Mine is a slightly larger tote bag, and it sold out at Nordstrom, but is still available other places. You can find my bag here. And I found this Kate Spade Leopard Print Bag, slightly smaller, but on clearance for $89.44! That is a steal!

And notice I’m wearing the new Stella & Dot Natia necklace again, it just seems so cheerful, I love it!

We have the Plymouth Ice Festival in town this weekend! Its mighty cold and blustery, and you know what? That is Perfect for the Ice Festival! People will be bundled up and hot chocolate and coffee sales will go through the roof! And kids hollering “OOOh Look At that one!” My sisters and I took our kids to this event when they were little! Parents with little ones this time of year know the challenge of trying to put kids in puffy snowsuits in car seats and strollers!

Good memories! So I think this was about 19 years ago! Those kids are all grown, the little girl with the pink stripe scarf has 2 of her own little ones now!

Just because its cold and blustery, doesn’t mean we can’t have a sunny perspective! I read an article today that said we have an average of 50,000 thoughts a day. (Whew! That is exhausting to think about! No wonder we need to sleep at night!) But 50,000 of anything is significant! That is a huge resource that is free and is going to happen one way or the other. Can we leverage that significant number for the good?

Jake and I were talking about how using the right oil in your car changes the output you can expect from it. Its kind of true for our perspective on life as well.

I think if we can have a treasure trove of fascinating, inspiring, creative, fun, engaging things we are filling up on, it can’t help but have an amazing affect on us!

I read another article by someone the other day encouraging people to make the most of our lives. They suggested if you love music, then don’t forget to listen to it, a lot! If you love to read, fill up on it! If you love a doggy, make sure you get plenty of time in the day to really enjoy your doggy!  If you love to travel, think through and plan trips- could be 18 excursions in 2018! Or 18 concerts in 2018! Or 18 Books! But things that get your heart pumping! Something that brings you joy!

The thing is, those 50,000 thoughts are a gift! And if you can “fill up” on things that are positive, you can harness those 50,000 thought ponies and drive that herd in a good direction! And who wants to let those 50,000 ponies down?

Well I’m off for an adventure of my own this afternoon! I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

I will be back Tuesday for another Tasty Tuesday!

Love Always,

Amy

“For what it’s worth, it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Where I Link Up:

Jo Lynne Shane My Life and Style 

Northwest Mountain Living and Style 

Sharing A Journey

Fashion Should Be Fun  

Not Dressed As A Lamb

 

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14 comments

  1. I absolutely love this blog post! Thank you for the 50,000 info. And I like the 18 goals for 2018. And I love the closing quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Just a big sock-it-to-me of positivity, so thank you! Also, I might need that Sullivan necklace ?.

    1. Well thank you, your positivity is bouncing right back on me! So thank you very much! Yes that necklace is really lovely! Lots of options there!
      I may need multiple “18 in 18″‘s! Fun! Fun! Fun! Have a great weekend, Sister!

  2. We were just discussing the thought to try to keep our thoughts more positive. I think it can make such a difference in our lives. That’s one reason I hardly watch the news anymore. It always seems so negative.
    You have such a great style Amy!! I always love to see what you’re wearing!!
    Have a great weekend!!
    XOOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    1. The thought thing is kind of like a battle, but people like you help keep me inspired! Thank you for your kind words about my style! I joke that I am a fashion troglodyte trying to get through charm school! If I ever get out your way, we have got to have lunch! I would love to go on one of your shopping expeditions with you!

  3. We have the exact same weather!! We can’t be too far apart!! Ahhhhh, if We could only harness all those good things, what we could achieve! Your light shines bright Amy! ☺❤?

    1. Thank you, Rosemary! I’m not sure yet what that may look like for me (18 in 18) But I know whatever it is, its doable, and its bound to have a memorable impact if you do it 18 times! Have a great weekend!

  4. Hi Amy!! I like goals moreso than resolutions!! My goal is to continue keeping my blog real and transparent!
    Ohhhh the Barefoot Dreams brand!! My daughter Oona gifted me with one of the brand’s cardigans a couple of years back—it’s so toasty and soft and comfy—-the absolute best!!!! Your 3-day diet secrets??? Please???

    1. Smiling big here reading your post. I will send you the diet, my sister and a group of her friends at work were doing it, I “snapped” a picture of it, and loosely followed it. She was a better diet disciple than I was. It was fun to try something different, and fun to have a group I was doing it with.

  5. Hi Amy!

    I love your blog, so. It keeps getting even better. Love your writing and positive, embracing nature. God is sweet to have given us that taste-of-spring reprieve. The Twin Cities got to 45 degrees for a day, before the recidivist temps ? plummeted to -11. Thanks for the spring fashion preview. Red is your color. Olive too. The red Halogen Light Weight Tie Sleeve cardigan and white top is particularly flattering. Your hair is so lush and shiny!

    The quote from Fitzgerald, I will keep at my desk at work, and I’m my heart and mind.

    ?

    Tricia