Sunday, October 30, 2016

Vest, Sweater and Boots...Fall Styling

A Casual Fall Look


Hello everyone! Are you looking for a comfortable yet stylish look for the cooler Fall temperatures? How about a comfy sweater, vest and boots with a great pair of jeans? 


I love the softness of this red cowl neck sweater. The red of the cowl neck adds a wonderful pop of color that contrasts well with the white/black of the vest. The look is very stylish as well as practical for cooler weather.


This outfit is not only easy on the eyes but also easy to move in as I enjoy the great outdoors. How beautiful are the Fall leaves right now?! I definitely think we hit "peak season" for leaf color this weekend.


Hope the bears stay away from our bird feeder! Is it dry in your location? We haven't had much rain for weeks now, so we are definitely in a drought situation. While it's nice to be able to get outside, we really do need rain.


I find these knee high boots to be very comfortable. I decided to tuck the skinny jeans legs inside the boots. Like that look, as well.


I'm a recent fan of knee high boots and so glad I was able to find flat soles for ease of walking. I do love the look of boots with heels like the ones I styled last Fall, but these flat soles are sooo much easier to walk in for long periods of time. 


I accessorized the look with a favorite bracelet and onyx ring. You can see I don't mind mixing silver tones with gold tones with jewelry. Guess my orangey nails kind of clash with the red sweater, but, oh well, just more Fall colors to love, right?!


I did stick with silver for the earrings, though.


I just love shopping my closet and finding all of the "right" pieces that just go together for that perfect comfortable and seasonal look that I am wanting to wear. I do believe that this outfit is one of my "new" favorites that I will be wearing frequently. How about you? What styles do you enjoy wearing for Fall? Are you a sweater and vest fashionista like me? And what is your opinion on boots? Do you like booties better or knee high lengths? Or...do you prefer to rock shoes rather than boots? Hope you'll leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you! Have a great week ahead!

Until Next Time,
Debbie

Shop A Similar Look:

sweater-purchased years ago at Sears. Similar here
vest-mine was thrifted REI brand, similar here
jeans-Vintage America Blues (similar to mine)
boots-Bare Traps  (these are similar to mine)

*No compensation of any kind has been received for brand names mentioned in this post. All opinions are my own.


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Friday, October 28, 2016

October Top Posts and Wrap Up

October.....Style and Technology......Achoooo!!


Hi friends!  Are you wondering what in the world I am talking about with that title I wrote?  Well....October has just seemed to pass by in a blur and I'm not exactly sure where it went. I spent part of the month styling, most of the month fighting with technology and a whole lot of the month sneezing, sniffling, coughing and laying in bed with a fever! It's been an adventure, folks! So, let's get down to the monthly recap. I missed doing a recap last month, so I'm happy to do one for the end of October.

Favorite Post


The most clicked on post for October was the one in which I styled a classic look with white blouse, grey skirt and fantastic red heels. This blouse had been "hiding" in the back of my closet and has found new life with this thrifted skirt. Win, win, in my book! If you missed this post, check it out here.


Love these heels!  Should I click them together twice while chanting, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home..."  Sorry, it's been a loooong week!!

And In Second Place

Typewriter
Public Domain Image

A close second for the most clicks was my post in which I lamented my woes about using social media. At the time, I was brand new to Facebook, taking back-to-back online classes on technology and trying to figure out what in the world I was doing on Facebook and whether or not I liked using social media or not. It appears I am not alone with my apprehension and confusion about social media, as several people commented who read my post. I admitted in this post that I sometimes feel "voyeuristic" looking at people's photos and comments from their friends, many of whom I haven't been in touch with for many years. "Friends" seem to come out of the woodwork when you join Facebook. Of course, in the midst of all these technology challenges, I caught a flu-like bug which had me down for the count for a couple weeks. So, that probably didn't help my mood as I struggled to complete the technology courses, one of which required that I be on Facebook. I'm happy to report, that my Facebook woes have settled down. I actually deleted my account at one point.....and then took the advice of one of my readers who advised that I should make social media work for me the way I want it to. So, I redid my account to connect it to my blog. So....if you are on Facebook......check out Debbiethisandthat on Facebook. I put my blog posts on the site, so feel free to follow me there!

Sneaking in September!



And, since I didn't get to do a blog recap for September, I'm going to sneak in this post that I did last month which got top clicks. This post on "Styling for Late Summer, Early Fall" was a hit and even got featured on the "Thursday's Favorite Things" linkup hosted by Marilyn's Treats. If you missed the post, you can check it out here.

I Was Featured!

I was so excited and honored to be chosen!

Photo by William Ross
And, even though it wasn't the post with the most clicks, I've got to show the pumpkins, again! After all, it is October! So, that's a wrap for the October top posts and wrap up. Many thanks to Julie Wunder at Running In A Skirt for hosting. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Until Next Time,                                          Halloween black cat pumpkins
Debbie

Sunday, October 23, 2016

The Pumpkins Are Coming!



It's All About The Pumpkins!

Photo by William Ross

Seems like this has been a weekend for pumpkins at my house. It all started Friday evening when Mr.thisandthat and I watched over the "Pumpkin Patch" at our church. Our congregation sells pumpkins each Fall and splits the profits with the Navajo Indians who grow the pumpkins. Our church uses the pumpkin profits for mission projects throughout the year. Doesn't looking at this pumpkin patch make you want to watch a Charlie Brown video?



And I finally got around to updating the foyer table with pumpkins and scarecrows. This is a similar look to last year, although I added some height to the look with an upturned basket to make a seat for one of my scarecrows. 



I also moved the wreath and wall hanging from the table to the door, double stacking the hangers. Here is how the table looked before.



And here is the completed look on the foyer table now. 



This pumpkin with the carving of a willow tree is one of my personal favorites that I like to display each year.  This pumpkin reminds me of a happy day with the hubby when we were just out and about one Saturday afternoon several years ago. We stopped at some shops in Biltmore Village, which is located right outside of the Biltmore House area, and found this lovely pumpkin. Unfortunately, the little shop closed soon after we bought this pumpkin, but it's still a happy memory of a fun day spent together. 



Charlie Brown and Lucy
http://www.allthingsclipart.com/charlie.brown.cartoon.clipart.htm
                                   

It's been a good weekend filled with pumpkins and Fall decor. Here's hoping you have had a great weekend, also, and that your week ahead is awesome....and no one pulls the football out from under you!

Until Next Time,
Debbie

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Thursday, October 20, 2016

A Classic Skirt and Blouse Look

Styling A Classic Look

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What could be more classic than a grey skirt and a white blouse?

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The crisp, clean lines of a long sleeved white blouse is an elegant look that can be worn in any season.

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I've had this white blouse for many years and, until recently, had relegated it to the back of my closet. When I saw this grey skirt at a local Goodwill store, I knew the blouse and skirt would be a perfect match! The wide black belt adds a touch of class to the look, as well.

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To be honest, I've been a bit reluctant to tuck in shirts and blouses in recent years due to my "ahem" mid-life bulge that seems to have developed since I turned 50. However, the wide belt and grey color seem to have a slimming affect that I think looks good in this outfit.

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And how about the pop of red with these dynamite shoes? These thrifted shoes are Liz Clairborne Flex and add a touch of sophistication to the overall look. 

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Here's a close-up of these gorgeous shoes. Yes, they are "30 minute" shoes, but I've gotta tell you, they are so pretty, I think the 30 minutes will be worth it!

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I decided to change up the look with a different white blouse. This one has pretty designs along the scalloped edging which are meant to be seen, so no tucking. The three quarter sleeves also have lacy designs that are so feminine and pretty. Notice how changing the blouse style takes the look from an elegant, classic look to a more feminine look. This blouse was also a thrift shop purchase a couple years ago. 

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I also switched out the shoes to a more comfortable black pair with block heels. Definitely easier to walk in than the red pair....but not nearly as eye popping!

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Ah yes.....red heels....much better, don't you think?

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The classic look of a white blouse and grey skirt never go out of style. This look is a staple that can live in your closet and be loved and worn time and time again. Keep an eye out at the thrift stores for this look.....or shop your closet to see if, like me, an article of clothing has been pushed to the back that needs to be front and center in your closet once more!

Now friends, I know these photos are far from perfect. I shot these photos in the house after work tonight and the lighting was not the greatest. But I haven't done a style post in awhile....and I'm still coughing from the flu bug I had....and.....momma's tired.....so I'm gonna go ahead and get this post on the blog. Hope you enjoy the style anyway!

Until Next Time,
Debbie 

(All images on this post are property of Debbiethisandthat.)

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Monday, October 17, 2016

Monday Morning Devotional


Lavender Bath Salt

"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Matthew 5:13

I'm asking myself how I can be the salt that Christ calls me to be as I awaken this morning. How can I bring out the God-flavors of this earth as I walk through this day? May your day be blessed and may you feel the love of God as you begin a new week.

Blessings,
Debbie


Friday, October 7, 2016

Let's Talk Social Media and Technology

Typewriter
Public Domain Image
Oh, it used to be so much easier, I think. Someone called you and you picked up the receiver and said, "Hello."  You wanted to "type" something and you sat down in front of the ole typewriter and went to town. No?  You think it's easier today with smart phones, ipads, computers, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat, and on and on and on....aaaaghhhhh!!

I guess you could say I am on technology overload right now.....

You may have noticed I haven't posted in almost two weeks. It's been a combination of things that has kept me from it, including taking two pretty much back-to-back online courses about using technology and then coming down with a case of...I don't know....the crud? Fever, stuffy head, sneezing, sore throat...ugh. It hasn't helped my temperament that's for sure.

Perhaps I have officially become a curmudgeon....

It's not that I don't want to learn new things and keep up with the times. I really do. But, there seems to be so much to keep up with. I will now reveal a secret. I had never joined Facebook until earlier this week. Yep, it's true. I just never saw the point and plus we were always being "warned" about Facebook as teachers, so I just decided to stay away from it. Until this week, when I was required to join a Facebook community for one of my online classes. So, I caved and set up an account. Just doing that much seemed like a huge step for me. But, then, our teacher...a really kind and knowledgeable man by the way....has had us doing video talks with him in Hawaii and delving into all the opportunities for online publishing. I never knew so many opportunities existed! Perhaps it's the fever talking, but I am overwhelmed right now by possibility.

Maybe there can be too many choices?

I don't know about you, but when I am presented with too many options and choices I kind of feel like I have been blindfolded and someone is turning me around and around in circles. The blindfold comes off and I'm so dizzy I don't know which way to turn.

That's how I feel about technology and social media right now. I'm dizzy....

Starting this blog a little over a year ago was a tremendous technology leap for me.  Then, I discovered Pinterest and then Google+. I figured out how to join circles on Google+ and connect my blog posts to my Google+ page and to my communities. I discovered how to save things I find online and like to my Pinterest page. I can reply when someone leaves me a comment on the Google+ page. I thought I was....you know....with it.  I'm cool, I'm cool, oh yeah.....

And then I joined Facebook

Oh my goodness, people.  I have entered a whole new world of friends and family and acquaintances and comments and sharing and commercials and.......

I kind of feel voyeuristic....

I feel like I am able to look into peoples' lives and their photos and their comments and I see what people are writing to me...none of it bad...but everyone else sees it too....I think....I'm still learning. And more and more people keep showing up or are recommended and I see folks from years ago that I knew.

And I'm not sure how I feel about it....

Somehow, even though it's been really great to see people and to glean some of what they are doing right now, I can't help but wonder....

Are we losing our privacy? 

Do people really need to care that I had a great summer vacation?  Do they really need and/or want to know that I ate Tacos last Tuesday? (Just examples, mind you.)  Does everyone need to connect with me and do I need to connect with them? And yet, I feel that tug....that pull....to look.....to post.....to share..... OK, so I think some questions need to be asked. At least from my perspective....

What is relevant?

I guess people will answer this differently. What is relevant information to one person may not be relevant to another. But, shouldn't we be asking this question? And, maybe even, talking about it?

What is meaningful?

What brings good to someone else's life?  What uplifts and encourages, rather than tears down?

Where do we draw the line?

Maybe there are some things that are better left unsaid, or unshared, as the case may be.  And, how much time should we be devoting to sharing and clicking and liking and plus oneing and on and on and on?

These are questions I'm asking myself.  You may already have the answers. 

It's a whole new world out there with technology, people. Maybe I'm just late arriving at the party....

But, at least at parties, we talk face to face with human beings. 

I hope we never lose the ability to talk face to face with one another. Even if it's on Skype or Zoom or Google Hangouts. I have to tell you, I get a little concerned when I see folks never diverting their eyes from their phones. Even while they drive or walk down the street.

I don't want to get too plugged in.

And, as I say this, what am I doing?  Oh yes...typing on a computer after which I will post it to my blog and then upload it to Google+ and then post it on my Google+ communities and then.....very likely....share it on Facebook.

Sigh....

Am I too far gone with technology?  And should I be worrying about being too far gone?  I know, this is the wave of the future. Sink or swim, right?  Although, the way I feel right now, I'm treading water and may need a lifeboat soon. Anybody paddling my way?

I'm taking a brief step backward....

I did make one decision that moves me backward and not forward with technology. I'm changing from a smart phone back to a flip phone. It just seems so much easier to me. No more swiping on glass surfaces and screens freezing and blackouts and having to pop the battery. I know...I'm hopeless.

Just flip the phone open and say, "Hello." It's not that different from picking up a receiver.

Dumb phones rule.  Talking face to face rules.  And, yes, I am a curmudgeon.

Oh...and if you like this post, or it gives you food for thought, or you can relate....you might want to share it on Facebook or Google+ or Pinterest.

Sigh....

Until Next Time,
Debbie


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