❤️ that clear bag in blue! (It really does evoke a lobster trap, clever!)

Great size, shape and color tote! I may copy that 🧐 (Would Scotchguard it for my messy dogs and grands car/ life.)

Wonderful Pentecost service this morning, with many parishioners taking part by reading aloud the gospel in another language simultaneously with the lector. I read it most years in French and today DH did the reading in German, his first time participating. Inspiring sermon, lovely music, uplifting lessons and a wonderful beginning to the week. DH wore a coral red polo shirt and I fudged with red accessories added to a navy and white outfit.

This is the travel motif skirt I got at Talbot’s this past winter. It has a sash tied in a bow in front which you cannot see bc of my unsuitable closet lighting. Our stone church is always freezing so the sweater was not just for show 😎

Who says there are no modern day miracles????

You’ve been holding out on us Mtn……you look GREAT in red!

Thank you I love that skirt, very cute

By the way, one of the bags I suggested earlier was this one below. You may recognize the rhinestone ropes tied in knots, a bit like the see-thru lucite one. They are both by Cult Gaia.

This is a knock off from Target, for 88% less. Both my DDs and I need evening purses that are not black or wintry, so I ordered this one a few days ago because it could work for any of us.

It just arrived and I think it is very nice

I like that bag from Target a lot. Especially the price! Nice find.

And I do love the way you look in the blue and white dress. It looks like it would be so comfortable to wear too and in my view, you can’t go wrong with that. As for a bag with it, I like the white with pearls, but the lucite is very eye-catching.

And a yes to the red blouse!

@Sueb, i have those pants too and they are very nice. I loved them in the jogger form they sold a few years ago. I have found that with more wide-leg pants, a flat front rather than drawstring is more flattering for me. Maybe i should try a smaller size, but i can’t see me in an XS.

I love designer handbags. I have always considered the cost per wear on this little daily luxury to be worth it. Until lately. Prices have gotten a tad insane - even on the resale market. So, I have turned to Etsy for some unusual finds including this one from India. I love it - beautifully made, heavy and the perfect little bag to wear sometimes with my pretty basic wardrobe of jeans and tops.

I'm currently on the hunt for a great raffia bag and Etsy seems to have a ton of options. Not always easy to assess quality but that may not matter quite as much at $100 vs $1000.

Love the Target find Mtn!

@mtnrdredux_gw I have a silver knock-off Cult Gaia, and it holds more than the typical evening bag. I like it. Even on TRR, the price for the real one seemed ridiculous for what it is.

Glad to hear it's roomy! I got it for $220 on PM (it was listed for $300 but I always lowball), so 56% off retail. The three of us are interested but if I like it w my dress, Mom outranks. I have a silver Rimowa phonecase I could use, but I have been wanting a new phone case anyway.

It looks like it would be so comfortable to wear too and in my view, you can’t go wrong with that.

I usually actively chide anyone for mentioning comfort when helping me with something so important as making a fashion choice, but it is indeed like wearing a nightgown, from the stretchy underlayer to the diaphonous top. And I don't have to wear a strapless bra. YAY. I also told DH that comfort for a day that includes an outdoor ceremony plus indoor reception is important even to me. It's also a wedding for extended family so it won't be a "put in an appearance and leave" kinda thing; we will probably be bringing up the rear.

@rubyclaire, LOVE your India purse. And the fact no one else will have it, knock off or otherwise.

Couple suggestions for the print dress. It’s lovely, BTW.

1. if the dress drifts casual, up the ”formal” for the bag and accessories.

2. pin a brooch in the center of the bow and wear some statement earrings that ”go”.

It is almost 2 am and I have FINALLY finished changing over the closet from Fall/ Winter to Spring/Summer. 🥳

I started it last week then abandoned the project when my volunteer work got out of hand and my closet —and the spare room closets—were such a mess I kept avoiding it all. Friday morning DH and I went to a neighbor’s to see the gigantic closet they built in their attic and get the name of their contractor. It’s been added to our renovation plans and just the prospect of it inspired me to finish the seasonal turnover. And I have two of those mega black bags full of donations! I started the job wearing shorts and a tee shirt but kept trying things on so often I actually ended up doing most of the work in my underwear and bathrobe to make trying on easier. Exhausted now but SO pleased!

Oooooh! The target bag, great color and find. and the India bag., so fun to wear with jeans. Yep! Mtn…. You look great in red! Kswl, that skirt looks great on you, love the border on it. My closet would take an hour to go through 😂

….. in Evora😁

Ordered this same denim skirt in yellow and blue from Free People

And these three white shirts, one from J Crew and two from J CrewFactory

The first two shirts are to wear with these and other skirts. The last is to wear with shorts, maybe jeans.

editong to add…

1. I do not plan to wear the skirt below my navel 🙄

2. the first blouse is similar to a Sezane blouse I could not find in my size. Interested to see how it stacks up IRL.

Out early this am for a hair appointment, appointment at church and a few errands. This is an Amazon dress I bought last summer, 100% cotton and a nice weight. It has three quarter sleeves that button at the elbow, and can be worn belted —but has an empire waist that I think looks better left alone.

I have had this top for 10 yrs or so, and gave it to DD1 when it was too small for me. It fits now but needs to be pressed and or cleaned. My DD really likes it with my newish St John chiffon palazzos.

I do like it, and it is very "me" but it may be a bit boring. I do like bare shoulders.

What fabric is the top, Mtn? I like the silhouette, but it is a little plain. Would fancy buttons help?

Its a soft blend of synthetics. It actually has very nice feel and weight. I was surprise to see it was L"agence, I didn't think I had bought from them until discovering them last summer.

I have a blue one with gold buttons but it is too big on me. Apparently I had a phase!

close up on buttons

Mtn--- that blue ( in the now too big top) is your color. Just buy everything in that color.

The end.

Lol Salon! Youve seen my closet?

I have not--- :)

I don't have the amount of clothes many of you seem to have, but when I look at my sweater closet I sure do have a lot of medium and light blue sweaters.......and I continue to gravitate to them.

I just got this sweater from Gap outlet and it is So Darn Cute!

Luv

Another El Nino year has me thinking that I don’t have enough raincoats. I have been looking at J Crew’s Perfect Raincoat for a good while and finally bought it in yellow. It’s the right length and style to wear year round with casual clothing

I also have my eye on a rain cape from Sezane:

It is 100% cotton so I would have to feel the fabric to know if it will be the slightest bit impervious to actual rain, but it is certainly very cute! If it is not at least rain resistant I won’t buy it, as at $340 it’s a bit pricey for raincoat that doesn’t protect one from rain 🤔 For my sins, I already have four full length raincoats and a new white rain/windbreaker but am ready to donate the old blue one….which leaves an opening 😎.

Oh, how I wish I could wear sweaters in the summer!! That’s a really cute one, Sueb.

I have a lot of "raincoats" too, butI really prefer outerwear than matches my outfit, so that necessitates a pretty good selection of raincoats.

https://tnuck.com/collections/summer-heritage-collection?_kx=cTd7WYSHJju1xcnnLPw8zj8JFAFqrfRMNC5OOyEcUsg.eEHw8c&bxid=01G1KQPYCT7KPD19JW58YN7PJV&mi_ecmp=01KSQVFPA4N7CPW7RXAFS06KCB&mi_u=01G1KQPYCT7KPD19JW58YN7PJV&nb_klid=01G1KQPYCT7KPD19JW58YN7PJV&utm_campaign=05/29/26+Mad+for+Madras&utm_klaviyo_id=01G1KQPYCT7KPD19JW58YN7PJV&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Klaviyo.

Tuckernuck’s patch Madras collection

Sorry. On my phone. Can’t do a neat link nor edit my post

@mtnrdredux_gw I love that white top! I agree that nicer buttons would make it perfect. And I agree with your daughter. It's great with those pants.

The skirts from Free People came today and they could not be any cuter! Happy with both the light yellow denim and the blue They fit perfectly and are an ideal length— just above the knee.. I have several blouses and tops that will look fine with both skirts but am really looking forward to the new ones.

I will be in NYC early this week and it is only a 10 minute walk to the Garment District, where there are at least 2 well known button stores. I will take one sample button with me and a pciture of the top and see what the experts say. I don't want a big contrast -- no black or brass. -- but I do think the top deserves more that what is there (non descript ivory).

Wow I didn't know the Garment District still existed. This brought back memories------ I had a friend whose parents were Czech survivors of the camps. Her father had a button "and trimmings" ( as it used to be called) business I believe it was in the upper 20's on 7th Avenue. I wonder what ever happened to her............................................

Ooh button stores sound fun. Love the top. You look so fabulous in blue and white, Mtn. Definitely a signature look.

Conference this week in Salt Lake City. It is so beautiful there. The conference rooms can be chilly so long sleeves required. This is an Ann Taylor top and black pants. Gotta look stylish and be comfortable.

ohh love hat print, @gsciencechick

M&J Trimmings is now gone. I am heartbroken.

Where else do you go?

Lou Lou and Buttonology? I bought my wedding veil at M&J

I found a t-shirt I like! it is loose and comes to the elbow. I need tees for workouts

Wish it didn't have random English words, like you always find abroad

Love the new top, gscience. I’m having one of those optical illusion moments. Yesterday I thought it was dark print on a light background, but today it appears to be a light print on a dark background. 🤷‍♀️ Whatever, I like it both ways!

I am trying to shop my closet for an upcoming funeral ... it has been a fun exercise in that lots that I wore pre-c*vid is way too big .. it has not been fun because duh (funeral) and because my go-to outfits arent working.

Both of these summer-weight jackets are a little too big but other than not showing my shape, I think they will work. They seem a little stuffy though for the personality of the person we will be memorializing ... what do you think?

(photos off the web)
black tweed

navy/cream stripe

I also have a some more professional black jackets -- but they don't feel even less "right" for this funeral. My friend was such a colorful and joyous person, all black feels too dark.

I am loathe to buy something .. but I had been eyeing this dress that is now sold out in my size. I can get it on ebay but not for any kind of bargain (in fact, it is selling for higher than Talbots is listing it). This is a style that works very well for me ... but the print is huge! Is it too much for a funeral/memorial service? Also, does anyone else see fallopian tubes ... like right THERE?

I like both jackets and think either would be appropriate with a skirt, slacks or a sleeveless sheath dress. And yes, I do see what you mean about the pattern and even see a weasel or snake like head at the base--too bad it isn't turned upwards.

Sorry about the upcoming funeral. Since black feels wrong to you for this person, has there been any guidance from family?

Yes, I see an anatomical diagram. And I was not going to post this image I came across from a local boutique but now I am and it's your fault.

Funky - I really like the black tweed. If you feel that is is too staid can you add a scarf or jewelry to give it a livelier feel?

You could do navy or a charcoal gray.

Very 70's mtn...;)

Funky - sorry for the loss of your friend. I, too, like the tweed jacket. Would you consider wearing it with cream/white pants?

What Maire said.

Thanks for the feedback -- and the laughs on the dress!! The dress is nixed!

Maire-cate/Rubyclaire, thanks! I used to get a surprising number of compliments when I wore the tweed jacket. It was never my favorite but definitely the one that got the most positive feedback.

I don't feel comfortable reaching out to her son or brother at this time. I don't know either of them well and this death was unexpected.

I may still buy a dress .. but until I see something I love, I am trying to make do. In the meantime, I made a lot of progress purging my closet!

Funky - progress like that is always a positive!

I had my college reunion yesterday and for the evening event, I had a couple of dresses (from my closet) in mind…until the forecast called for 45 degrees, raining and windy. I could have worn pants but I ended up wearing a basic black dress from J. Jill that I had bought for my dad’s memorial service. Not exactly festive, but I actually got a few compliments!

After seeing some classmates I hadn’t seen in many years, all I have to say is: keep up the good work, friends. We were all approx 61 years old, and some of us looked more like 75. Some of it had to do with hair color and/or lines and wrinkles, but in many cases it was more about the style of dress and attitude. We had a casual lunch, and later a dressier dinner, so a couple of opportunities to see people in different lights, you might say.

There was a photo booth, which was fun. LOL I hardly ever wear a boa.

Wait …what? Did KSWL get dressed today. or has she been in a supine recovery all day!?

Or, as they say in the South - take to the bed. Hopefully not!

Not today— today I was babysitting Lucy all day. Yesterday I stayed in my pajamas all day and celebrated the end of a very productive but stressful month with slothful elan 😎 I will give a party update shortly.

My babysitting outfit was one of the new Free People skirts with a chambray blouse. Interestingly, both have pin tucks. DD’s house was freezing, next time I go I will wear fur!