My Final Awkward and Awesome Friday!

Today is my final blog post after 6+ years of blogging.

I have loved every minute of it,

 but as with most things in life...

it's time to move on to another chapter.

As most of you know,

 we recently bought a lake home

 and are remodeling it ourselves.

That is code for "where does all the time go?"

 Awkward things about having a blog:

• You have no idea where pictures of you will end up.
• The trolls and haters that comment and email.
• Putting yourself out in the world for everyone to hear and see your point of view.
• When people stop and watch you taking pictures of yourself and you try to explain what you are doing.
• Trying to come up with new blog post titles .

 Awesome things about having a blog:

• The fact that people actually read your blog and have nice things to say.
• I won't lie...the free stuff you get from sponsored posts.
• The new things you learn in general and about yourself.
• Being able to tap into your creative side.
• All the amazing people you meet.  Even if you never even get see them in person.  

 For my last outfit,

 I decided to just go crazy with pattern mixing. 

 Seems I have kind of become known for that.  

What better way to mix it up than with buffalo check, leopard and herringbone?!  

Add a great pair of riding boots and you can't go wrong.

Again, 

I thank all of  my readers over the years

 for their support and kind words.

I will miss you every week.

I will still be posting outfit looks 

over on Instagram every now & then.

So, if you don't follow me yet,

 check it out. 

   @silvrgurl

Until we meet again someday!

 

How blogging helped me understand MY own personal style.

Fashion is a very subjective thing.

Some things you just hate and some you just love.

While others you have no opinion about at all.

 When I began my blogging journey six years ago.... 

I knew I liked fashion, 

that I was getting into that "what do I wear at my age" arena

 and how can I avoid from becoming a woman that gives up on style?

I decided to start my blog to help me find my particular fashion sense, 

feel more comfortable with my choices and

 especially what to do with what was already in my closet.

  I am happy to say that I have accomplished

 all these goals and more.

My tips on finding your own sense of style:

• If you are not sure what your style is,  start a Pinterst board pinning looks that appeal to you.  Look at the pins collectively and figure out what all those looks have in common.  That should be your jumping off point.
• Don't listen to most 'what not to wear after a certain age' advice.  Maybe you are in your 60's and have amazing legs (Tina Turner)  show them off.  Maybe you are in your 20's and don't have great arms.  Cover them up.  The key is to dress for your body, not your age.  And use your common sense!  Glitter shorts should probably be left to the 20somethng crowd.
• Experiment!  I don't like to hear women saying, "I could never wear that"   Have you tried?  Have you tried a different spin on that look if it really doesn't work for you?  Don't be scared to try new things, but in the end...if you just don't feel comfortable in the look and you have truly given it a chance, then don't force it.
• If you are a "I always wear black or neutrals" kind of women...experiment with pops of color.  If you are like me, "I always wear color"...give black and other neutrals a chance.  Remember, leopard is a neutral!
• Remember that hair and make-up are a part of your style.  Don't neglect either of them.  If you prefer minimal make-up, no problem-  just have a really good skin care routine.  If you are a no fuss hair person, that is fine too.  Just keep it trimmed, washed and if you haven't had a new hairstyle in the last 10 years, please go update your style!

Those are the top 5 general lessons that I have learned while blogging. 

JCPenney button up

Joe Fresh sweater

Gap jeans

Target boots

Handpicked necklace

c/0 oNecklace pendent

Awkward and Awesome Friday

Happy Friday before Thanksgiving!

I can't even believe it is that time of year already.

Awkward:

• When your dog throws up in your bed and you are in it.
• The new guy in the fish department trying to wrap up your fish purchase.  I am pretty sure he used more tape than paper.
• Doing work on the fireplace at the lake house and discovering the ashes in the fireplace and you know for a fact the fireplace has been un - usable for 16 years.  We may never get the smell out.
• Finially getting all the clean bedding back on the bed after the above mentioned dog incident and the dog knocks over your cup of coffee all over the nice clean linens.
• Trying to transfer olive oil from one container to another and it spills everywhere.  Do you know how hard it is to wipe up giant puddles of oil???

 

Awesome:

• Son1 celebrating his 25th birthday last week.
• When $20 falls out of your pocket and you don't realize it until you walk back to your car and there it is in the parking lot right where it fell out.
• Finally getting a day of rain when we have had drought conditions here.  Sadly, it didn't really help.
• Finally getting cold enough to have the first outdoor fire of the year in your fireplace.
• Yoga Bingo.  I am trying several new classes that I would have never tried otherwise.  Anyone out there tried Nia yoga?

 Doing a little pattern mix.

  Polka dots and stripes just naturally go together.

  If they are colorful,

 that's even better.  

THis sweater is from either last year or the year before,

 but I noticed they have almost the exact same one at Gap again this year.  

I opted for some flared jeans to go with my look

 and thought statement earrings would be fun.

Are you a stripe/polka dot pattern mixer?

Loft shirt

Gap sweater

White House/Black Market jeans

Nine West booties

online earrings

Pink + Camo

Good Morning friends,

If you haven't heard about our North Carolina wildfires yet, they are pretty bad.

They are in the western part of the state

 and I am in the southeast.

Not only can we smell them here,

 some parts of town are covered with smoke.

Take a minute to say a little prayer for our state.

 Wearing a little camo and pink today.

  Probable the two most opposite things right?! 

 Well, somehow it always works.

Add some distressed jeans and a clunky pair of boots

 and you are good for any situation. 

 Whether it is grocery shopping

 or hanging out at the Bass Pro Shop! :)

I kept everything very simple for this look,

 because, hey.... 

Camo is a fashion statement unto itself right!

Are you a fan of camo?

How do you wear it?

Old Navy shirt, vest, jeans

Express boots

Necklace c/o oNecklace

Pumpkin Spice

Hey ya'll!

I have been all over the place except for my blog.

Which brings me to some news...

I will be retiring from my blog the week of Thanksgiving.

It has been a 6 great years and I have loved it so much,

 but things are taking a new direction in my life.

More about that later...

For now, I will enjoy the last days of blogging!

This outfit just oozes fall to me.

The pumpkin spice color of this sweater is nothing but yummy!

The subtle plaid and pocket details of the pants 

compliment the sweater.

I added a pendent necklace to draw the eye downward

 since my sweater is of the "boxy" variety.

Do you enjoy dressing in fall colors?

What are your favorites?

H & M sweater

Loft pants

Doce Vita booties

Target necklace