I saw your pink feather cuff dress on Poshmark, Bbstx. If you do regret getting rid of it you might be able to find one.

Completely agree that yellow and mint combination is quite jarring. That style of dress looks good on tall people, otherwise they’re usually too long. I can see it in a soft blue with white eyelet stitching (or the reverse) or many other colors except the ones chosen.

The flowered dress looks ok, but when are we going to LOSE THE FLOUNCES??? I am so tired of flounces, I donated a dress recently to Goodwill just because I am so over them.

That eyelet dress looks like it could be really lovely.Too bad.

If you showed up for lunch wearing 4 different belts, would your friends think you were stylish or that you had lost your mind?

I saw that, BBstx on her youtube channel. It looks NOTHING like a corset!

She’s a character. I like some of her outfits and others make my eyes bleed. Her clothing on QVC is not very nice looking; the style seems to me to be hard to reproduce if you’re not her with the glasses and the hair and the red lipstick , etc. Stacy London from What Not to Wear is also selling clothing on Qvc and it is truly awful. I was curious about Carla Rockmore’s line and went to QVC to look at it and that’s how I found Stacey’s clothing. It looks so basic and almost Amish….I was shocked, TBH.

Today was a truly wonderful church service in which the new members who had joined during the past year were acknowledged in a Liturgy of Belonging with a lovely reception afterwards. Even though the weather was awful there was a crowd of people there to celebrate our new members. It was rainy and windy and I wore what is really a fall dress I should have put away already. This will be the last time I wear it until late September

It was too warm for the black lady jacket I usually wear with it and the photo tells me the outfit looks unfinished without it. Afterwards we came home and walked the dogs between rain showers and went swimming indoors. I exchanged the dress for black pants and a tan long sleeved tee so I could keep on the same shoes and onyx jewelry

This photo tells me I should have tucked the shirt in—and I did, before we went out again.

Tomorrow I am taking my mother shoe shopping in a neighboring town. I will have to dress for a day of patience and fortitude….…what does that look like, I wonder?

KSWL. Your dress and shoes are the perfect combo. You look fabulous 🤩 .

Thank you Friday! I love that dress; bought it at the end of the pandemic when I had just started losing the 20ish lbs I had gained… it was almost aspirational 🙂 It’s a Dillard’s house brand called Preston and York and is fully lined with a good weight fabric and is nicely tailored. l do the pictures for a third eye kind of perspective and they are very helpful to me!

I am not sure if I love/hate Carla Rockmore but the more I watch the more she gets on my nerves. Plus I think almost nothing about her look and her outfits is transferable to me and my style. But I will say she has a great joie de vivre.

<< Same .. she hits my instagram every so often. I like her energy and spirit in theory but it quickly becomes too much for me. Also her colors, style and body shape do not translate for me either.

As I embrace my much more casual lifestyle, I continue to look for casual tops that have some style to them ... I am trying Universal Standard as they have 2 tops I am interested in ...

This may be too much at my already broad shoulders and fat arms but the color is great for me as is the neckline. I thought it was worth a try

This is a pretty simple style but I love the stripes and the neckline. I think it will go well with my longer RL shorts that are reminscent of culottes but wear like a skirt.

I have to delay my trip by a week ... so the shopping is feeding my soul just a bit :)

That coral top is so cute

The striped one is my fave!

I think of Carla Rockmore as an Iris Apfel in training.

She did a video with and about her transgender child (sorry, I dont remember if her child is a transgender female or male) that I thought was very well done. I do love her play with color but rarely are they colors I could carry off.

Thanks-- I hope both work for me. The necklines are great if everything else works!

One thing I like about Universal Standard is that they are very size inclusive -- but even more noteworthy is that they will replace your items if you change sizes within a year. That is crazy cool! I should try more from them because of that but honestly, I didnt see lots that was interesting to me. We'll see what I think of these two items and I may look again.

KSWL I use photos as a third eye also. I don't have a full length mirror so sometimes I will use a video on my phone or look at my doorbell video. lol

Btw have you ever used a mirror to evaluate your paintings? I find it incredibly helpful.

I love Carol Rockmore's style. Most of her outfits would not work well on me but I think they look fabulous on her. She has great energy. I think her daughter went from male to female.

LOL on using the ring video to check your outfit! Love it!

Thank you, Ilikefriday-- i thought that was the case but I wasnt 100% sure and didnt want to misstate or misgender.

Funkyart I'm sure my neighbors have caught me doing this and think I am totally weird modeling on my porch multiple times a day. They have no idea why I'm doing it. 😂

The rental home we are at now is wonderful but has no full length mirror, in a 4br 3ba house with a great walk in closet!! I was tempted to buy one.

The hotel we stayed at in New Orleans last month was lovely. But there was no full length mirror. A large 2 bed/2 bath cottage. No full length mirror. Very annoying!

I have the same love/cringe feelings about Carla Rockmore and her style and I absolutely adored her poignant post about her daughter. So loving and so very real.

Funky - the longer, looser shorts are so on trend right now. How do you like yours and do you find you need a little wedge/heel with them? As a shorty, I think that might be the only way I could pull them off and then I'm the "mature" woman in shorts and heels and I don't know how I feel about that!

Rubyclaire -- I have only worn them once since Ive had them (the waist was a smidge snug last summer) but I plan to wear them on vacation coming up and a shower next month.

I can't wear heels so like with so many of my outfits, I have to suck it up and accept that I *need* to wear sneakers (even flats can be problematic to my safety) .... all that said, I can for some crazy reason wear the style fitflop below...not ideal as they are still pretty casual but the best I can do. That said, I AM wearing them with a tee so maybe it will work!?

I have them in a few colors but the pair i would wear is all black/no cork-- i just dont have a photo of them.

I think of Carla Rockmore as an Iris Apfel in training.

Except Iris Apfel did it for herself and for many decades until she became more interesting to the general public as the Apfels approached 100. She wasn't doing it for social media attention, or using her influence and income stream to get some of her stuff.

That is true, Pal, although if Iris Apfel began now, she would probably end up doing the same.

Funky I like those slides very much and can easily see them with pants, dresses, and shorts. And I have never heard of such a generous or affirming return policy, ever!

Friday, I love the mental image of you confounding your neighbors by taking Ring videos on your porch!!! And I never thought about taking the mirror image of my artwork but what a fantastic idea, thank you!

Today we found not only shoes for my mother but a lace top for me to wear with the long pink tulle skirt I ordered from France. At the time I ordered it I was sure I had something in my closet that would look at least acceptable, but no joy. I brought this home hoping it would work and I really like it— even though you’d think that a fancy skirt might need a plainer top. (And you still might think it after seeing this one.)

oh! I adore that lace top-- you could wear it with jeans as easily as a fancy french skirt!

(at least I would!)

Great finds kswl!! That lace top can go with just about anything in your closet. Love the skirt and it looks great on you - and I like the two pieces together even if I am one who would likely default to a quieter top.

ps - look at those toned arms woman!

Thank you Funky and Ruby! I thought a black top would be perfect but for some reason it just didn’t do it for me and the white surprised me i a good way. I can wear this with just about every nice skirt I own and a few slacks as well, including jeans! Ruby, I have been working on the arm issues at the gym and golf has REALLY helped.

Pal! That’s great! I can find a back up / alternate for this. What do you all think of a really nice sleeveless turtleneck with that skirt? (I def need to tan my arms!)

Your arms look great! DD said getting her arms in shape was the longest, hardest exercise slog she has ever been on. Kudos on the hard work!

It is from LilySilk. I like the lace a lot but I think they compete with each other. And I see that either with something white or dark, like Navy.

Since I have been buying clothes and there have been threads on buying clothes where it seems like people regularly have new clothing coming in, I became curious as to what the average spending on clothing is Per Year.

For men, 16 and over it is $406. For women 16 and over it is $655. Not including shoes. This is across the socioeconomic spectrum, but what this means is that a sizeable number of adults over the age of 16 in this case, must buy next to nothing. (All in it is about $1400 annually for a household which we will assume is 2 adults 2 kids)

If you look at the data of household income in 80%ile and 90%percentile which probably describes most of the people in conversations, they estimate that it is about $1700-2000 annually for the household. Again to me this means that lots of people are buying almost next to nothing.

(In 2024, I bought two pairs of sneakers, on sale, some generic socks --like a bag of a dozen pair all black--and some underwear, I think..and I still spent a couple hundred dollars. I could spend more than the average men's expenditure on a single blazer, something that wouldn't even be considered "expensive". So these numbers seem awfully low)

I ordered that top from Lilysilk Pal. I have a taupe silk slip skirt I think it will look great with also, as well as a gathered black silk ballet length skirt. Thank you!

As to the average expenditure on clothing…. mum’s my word. 😎

I have an upcoming backyard party with a nautical theme -- to celebrate the return of my nephew from a NOAA ship down south combined with a baby shower for their second son. I dont need to reflect the nautical theme but I do plan to stick with a blue/white color scheme ... and I plan to shop my closet.

I have a surprising number of blue/white dresses but I narrowed it down to two I havent worn to a family event as yet. Party isnt until early July but I want to choose now so that I have time to shop accessories as I have never been happy with how I styled either dress in the past.

Which is your choice for a backyard party?

A. Gingham shirt dress. I am thinking of trying to find some kind of cool rope style jewelry -- either in silver or literal rope (is that crazy?).

B. Crocheted top navy dress - never landed on good accessories for this one would love suggestions!

I love both of those! I remembered the first one from last year.

Wasn't someone else here looking for a nautical outfit?

KitschyKitch was needing nautical vibe for family wedding, maybe?

Funky, love the gingham shirtdress! I think the tie front greatly limits accessories. Maybe thin gold or silver chain on your collarbone. Knockout bracelet and/or earrings.

How thematic do you want to be? Maybe get these and hope for an invitation to Mtn’s upstairs hallway?

Two things I’m a sucker for - nautical flags and pearls

https://kieljamespatrick.com/collections/sailorgram/products/tahiti-sail

KJP has some other interesing jewelry with a nautical flavor.

Either of those dresses would be perfect, Funky. I also remember the gingham dress, but not the crocheted top one— they are both lovely and summery! Agree the gingham dress needs big earrings and/or a bracelet, maybe the same for the ofher dress as a necklace also might get lost on crochet bodice.

Bbstx, such cute and affordable jewelry!

Thanks, all .. I have had both dresses a few years and you all did provide accessory input for the gingham dress before. I have a wide woven rattan bracelet and also a large green cuff from that feedback but neither is quite right.

I am not opposed to theme-y ... at least not in theory. I was looking at KJP but more focused on the rope bracelets but leaning away from them due to my metal allergy and I think I would rather a silver rope bracelet than a literal rope bracelet lol.

And then my brain merged two projects together ... I have been following a jewelry designer and wanted to get one of her designs in a bracelet. While not nautical, i think this may be the excuse to nudge me to order. Biggest challenge is that I can't actually get to her studio -- I'll have to consult on the phone/order online.

What do you think-- could one of these work? Or am I trying too hard? (A necklace might make more sense but I want a bracelet to start. )

Ohh I like those!

Yes-- love her work!

I like #2 and #4 -- leaning towards #4 but perhaps wrapping only 3x.

I love #3 but it is a bit more than I budgeted for this purchase.

I love #3 but it is a bit more than I budgeted for this purchase.

Sorry to be an enabler, but get the one you love. If you buy one you like for 1x instead of the one you love for, say 1.5x, you have not saved 0.5x.... you have wasted 1x.

Sorry for enabling!

Really nice jewelry designs, Funky! I like all of them and they’d look great with your blue dresses. I typically wear three chain bracelets all the time, two gold and one silver and gold. When I want to wesr a bangle I just pile it on the same arm, and when I want to wear a fourth chain or link bracelet I put it on my left wrist with my watch. There’s no such thing as too many bracelets 😎

LOL I really love them all -- but to be clear, I expect to purchase multiple pieces eventually.

Sue turned me on to the artist when I was contemplating a purchase to recognize a year without smoking. When I relayed to Joel, he said, "Why wait a year?! you HAVE quit!" (answer: because I still feel fragile-- some days, very fragile). So I landed on something "smaller" and constantly visible like a ring or bracelet to remind me of my progress and commitment. Next January, I will purchase something additional and a little more splurgy. I think the gold lock and a necklace chain would be perfect-- and all are interchangeable.

(I know that sounds cheesy lol.. but it motivates me)

Wow, you quit smoking, that is huge! Congrats

Confused --- are you eventually buying multiple bracelets, or a bracelet and something else not shown that you plan to buy now?

Congratulations on quitting! I think it is really nice to treat yourself.

Sorry to be unclear -- i will get a single or multi-wrap bracelet now at the halfway point. I am leaning towards the longer wrapped chain.

After a year since quitting, I will likely get a new chain and a new lock. All of them will be interchangeable so if I choose wisely, I will end up with 2 bracelets and 2 necklaces by swapping locks and chains.

Funky -both dresses are great but I love the gingham one! Raffia accessories would be nice.

Is this Marla Aaron's work?

Yes, Marla :) We are on a first name basis now because of how frequently she slips into my social media. Only a friend can get away with popping her head into my space more than 5x a day!

Glad you all like the gingham dress -- I think it is my fave too. I was hoping you all would say the crochet dress because I havent worn it muchl Maybe I will take it on vac.

Ruby, I have a woven purse I like to carry with the gingham dress! When I bought it, you all recommending woven/raffia jewelry but it never felt right to me. I just didnt love it (though I do still have it).

This is my purse

This is the cuff bracelet

Do you think the silver lock bracelets work with the dress (I was concerned they may be too ... something).

I bought a MA baby Meander lock in gold and a silver necklace chain several years ago but I am just not a jewelry person and they sat in my drawer. Ended up selling on ebay and regret it! Loved the gold meander lock and now want it again - especially as a bracelet lock, I think I would use it more.

I think the silver bracelets work with the dress. I also think some resin bracelets would look good with your raffia bag and the dress. Or something like this little set from Zara:

I hope you treat yourself with the MA bracelet regardless of what you wear to this event. You deserve it!

Also, are those enamel bracelets in the last lock/chain photo you shared Marla's, too? Kinda love them. Look what you've started, lol.

ETA: Those Zara bracelets look odd in that photo but you get the gist. Resin bracelets are everywhere but these are by Tory Burch:

Oh no, Ruby! Sorry you regret selling your MA! The Meander locks are SO pretty!

I will be honest, it was easier for me to narrow in on bracelets. I am overwhelmed by all the necklace variations. I believe my budget will help narrow the list when I get there but right now, I am overwhelmed. I think I'd like to go to her studio/showroom -- there are so many options, so many sizes! I have large hands/large wrists so trying them on ensures sizing but also let's me be sure I select what I'll love! I come up with a new favorite every day. I wonder what I will love tomorrow?! LOL

Yes! The enamel bracelets are MA also!

Back to my gingham dress, I wasnt 100% joking. I really may just go with a braided sailors bracelet out of nostalgia and it is fitting for the occasion. It wouldnt be inappropriately casual for this event and it takes me back to my youth. Navy resin would work also. I have time to think about it.

Today I wore my favorite golf skort—- plaid, super comfortable, washes beautifully, hangs to dry and needs no ironing (unlike the ”no iron” Chico’s shirt I’m wearing it with). I took my mother on her errands in town and to grocery shop this morning and wore this with blue leather strap sandals. I just had to change into golf shoes in the afternoon.

I love that it doesn’t scream !golf! but of course if you saw it with my clubs that have covers in the same plaid (all from Spartina) the outfit definitely looks more sporty and golfy.