I'm not aware of too many things.

big old thrifted patch work shirt

Madewell jeans

straw bucket hat from Target

Reef flip flops
resting bitch face

Not so long ago, the always amazing and insightful Suzanne Carillo published a little worksheet to help us identify our personal Style Statement.

You can check it out HERE.
I filled in the worksheet but I was soooooo confused.

The results made absolutely zero sense to me.
My list of style attributes sounded like the names of Snow White's little men:
Sleepy, Grumpy, Frumpy, Dumpy, Tipsy, Schlumpy and Bored

You see, I have spent the better half (and I use the term "better" loosely) of the past five years somewhat out of commission.
It didn't seem like I'd gotten dressed in real clothes for a very long time. Though I do have to admit that there is somewhat of a deconstructed chic to hospital gowns.  

Alas, I had lost my style mojo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So.....

For a week I photographed every outfit, every day to try to figure out my "Style Statement."

I think I've figured it out:

It's big old shirts, jeans and sensible shoes.

big old linen shirt and little old cardigan from The Gap Outlet circa 1990

Levi's 501 jeans

beat up old Born ballet flats

big old made-by-me fabric remnant dress

Lucky jeans

Ecco sandals
1930's amber bead necklace from my very stylish mother-in-law

big old men's shirt from Target

big old hideous Eileen Fisher jeans - purchased with my employee discount

bandana borrowed from Pancake (my dog)

Merrill clogs

big old shirt and big old bib overalls circa 1980's

shocking pink kinesio tape on my ankle courtesy of my physical therapist ~ thanks Oly

fresh haircut

big old flannel shirt that used to be a dress until I cut it off

ridiculous elastic waist jeggings - that's right - jeggings

Warby Parker spectacles

Vionic clogs

big old thrifted Chinese housecoat

Lucky jeans

Hush Puppy sandals

LIPSTICK!!

big old rayon boho tunic I have had, like, forever

Lucky jeans

Reef flip flops

Seriously. I want to Thank Suzanne for her Style Worksheet. This has been most enlightening. I honestly had no idea that I was such a blue jean baby.
Did you take Suzanne's quiz?
What is your Style Statement?

And like the good little blogger that I try to be, I am linking up with the Always Stylish Patti.
Also, for the very first time ever I am joining Judith's Hat Attack!!!

Keeping Up Appearances

Oh My Gosh.

I have fallen off the map lately.

My apologies to my bloggy friends for my absence. I'm still here.
So let's see....where was I???

San Clemente longboard surfers circa 1940's

Not too long ago I decided to channel my inner Hyacinth Bucket and take my poor hapless Richard, I mean, JON on a day trip up the coast to a nearby Stately Home.

I got all dressed up in my favorite Anthropologie polka dots, assumed my bossiest persona, forced the dog and the husband into the car and set off up the coast to Casa Romantica in San Clemente, California.

the main hall

Well, it turns out that Casa Romantica is not so much a stately home as a lovely old, rather large stucco house that was built in the 1920's.

My camera battery died not long after we arrived but I still managed a few shots.

The tile work blew my mind.

So here I present to you: TILE.

The view of the Pacific from the main house was indeed Romantica.

This is a painting on tile of the Grumpy Old Matriarch of the Casa.

Or perhaps this is the Queen Grump?

In my defense, I was trying to look coy. But I've discovered that as I age, what used to be a sexy sultry look now translates as "Get Off My Lawn!"

cliché Instagram toe photo of street tile depicting Casa Romantica

So, Kids, where have your feet been lately??

overalls

Do you Recall your Very First Personal Fashion Moment???

My first Memory is of Overalls.

I must have been about three years old. At least I hope I was only three! I was wearing the type of Toddler Overalls that snap on the inside of the legs for quick emergency trips to the potty. The snaps were unsnapped, the pant legs were flapping around and I started twirling around singing, "I'm wearing a dress." My First Fashion Moment. Tra La.

Well, the fashion neurons in my brain must have imprinted on those overalls because I have owned and worn some form of bib overalls practically every decade of my life.

Meanwhile it is finally RAINING in SoCal!!!

El Nino ha llegado. YIPPEE!!!!

We're hunkered down doing inside rainy day things like

packing up holiday ornaments

baking cookies

and searching for new knitting projects

How gorgeous is Daphne Selfe in this Rowan knitting book?

striped turtleneck ~ Anthro
overalls ~ vintage 1990's from enidandedgar Etsy shop
Calgary slip on clogs ~ Vionic

Soooo....My Friends. What was YOUR Very First Fashion Memory?????

Do Tell.

meanwhile I'm linking up with the Super Smart Patti at Visible Monday

 Ooooohhhh.

This post is just perfect for Spy Girl's

Fashion Rosebud.

Check out the other Rosebuds HERE 



my dottie angel frock

 



You know who dottie angel is, don't you? She lives over at mossy shed and has the most beautiful crafty life. Here's a little video to introduce you: Click HERE Please

THE Tif Fussell

 

I've admired Tif Fussell for an awfully long time. You can find her on Instagram @dottieangel. So when I found out that she had created a pattern of her famous dottie angel frock for Simplicity Patterns, I was first in line. In fact, this may be one of the few sewing patterns that I've bought lately for which I actually paid full price. That is how much I love this girl!

the frock

 



the pattern



a  classic dottie angel pose
dress ~ made by me
neck-hiding turtle neck ~ J Crew
leggings ~ Capezio
orthopedic clogs ~ Yes!!! Effing ORTHOPEDIC CLOGS! ~ Merrell

This project was lots of fun and very easy to make. I used some plaid that I found in the discount bin. I think it may have been school uniform fabric which makes me very happy.

And I recycled the plaid for the pockets and tie from THIS dress.

I raised the neckline both front and back and replaced dottie angel's adorable apron pockets with plain old square connie snow pockets.

That's what I like about this pattern, it is super simple to personalize.

my ever increasing backside all tied up with a bow!
ah..the joys of middle age

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TIF. I LOOOOOVE MY FROCK!!!!

And speaking of things that I Love,

because I subscribe to the New York Times,

I received a Google Cardboard NYT/VR.

Virtual Reality. My Favorite Kind of Reality These Days. Click HERE for the details.

I am completely Bonkers over this thing. It is Exquisitely Trippy.

 In fact, sometimes I actually trip while looking at it.

 Wish I could let you in on it but you'll just have to either come over to my house or get your own.

Thank you New York Times and Google.



Well....I think that is Quite Enough of moi en plaid for one day.

Therefore.....

 

I'm heading over to Patti's Visible Monday to see what the kids are up to over there.

~~~~~~~~~~

And even though this has nothing to do with Anne's 52 Pick-me-up prompt of green acorn I'm going to visit her as well just cuz I like her so darn much.