Monday, April 6, 2020

Ageless Style - "Outfit Challenged"

The Ageless Style Link Up-  The first Monday of every month a group of over forty fashion bloggers pick a monthly theme and show different ways of styling it. 

Hello!  Long time no see.  I am not back to a regular blogging schedule but I want to remain faithful to my blogging commitments so I will still participate in the Ageless Style Link Up once a month as long as they have it.  But before I begin the link up post I wanted to give everyone a little update on me and my family during the Coronavirus Pandemic.  

First of all, we are all healthy.  Everyone is still employed, although my husband
was told he can't work over-time anymore.  He always worked sixty hours a week our entire marriage, and now he is working a normal forty hours a week.  It's nice to have him home more, but the loss of money from over time will hurt.   We're also not sure how much longer he will even have a job, if this quarantine goes on much longer.  That is scary, but I'm grateful he is still working for now as I know so many Americans are not.  All we can do is take one day at a time for now so we don't fall into complete panic mode.  

My children and grandchildren moved in with us the day before the "15 Days To Slow The Spread".  It's been wonderful having them with us for the grandchildren have been a wonderful distraction for me.  I would be going out of my mind with worry if they weren't here with me.  Jason, my son-in-law is a private school teacher and has created an office for himself in our basement and is teaching his students on-line.  Ashley is a private voice teacher and has been teaching her students via the internet as well.  My other son Jordan is still in Illinois and still working full time.  Although he is very lonely, we all agree he should stay there while he still has a job.  But if he loses his job, he will move back home as well.

I know everyone is hopeful that this will end soon and life will return to normal, and I hope so too.  But, I really think there is a more sinister plot behind all of this, and life will probably never be the same again.  I won't get into all my "conspiracy theories" here as I'm sure many of you are aware of all of them already, but in preparation for the worst, we have been super busy planning and building a vegetable garden.  I've always had a massive flower gardens, but other than tomatoes and cucumbers, I never had a vegetable garden.  All the extra work of the normal spring garden chores, plus the new vegetable garden, and having more mouths to feed, has left me little time for blogging.  I still plan on doing an Easter post, because no matter what, I'm dressing up in my new Easter dress from TJMaxx (that I purchased before this whole nightmare began), and having church with my family in our living room celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  I feel like the "Who's" in "Whoville" in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas".  No matter what the world "stole" from me, I'm still going to sing "Christ The Lord Is Risen Today" on Easter Sunday and I hope you do too!

Now, on to the Ageless Style Link Up shall we?  The theme this month is "Outfit Challenged".  Shugunna challenged us to style an item in our closet that "we liked when we saw it, brought it home, but then never or rarely worn it".  I immediately thought of this Ivanka Trump dress that I purchased from Ross two years ago and never wore.  I purchased it for my trip to Savannah but never ended up wearing it because I thought it was too uncomfortable to wear walking around Savannah streets all day.  It hung in my closet then unused because I always felt it was too "dressy" to wear anywhere, including church.  I thought "Maybe I'll wear it to a wedding someday", but I always ended up wearing something else.  So, when Shugunna challenged us to style our rarely worn items, I decided now was a good time to wear this dress to church but to try and style it "more casually" so I didn't feel so "dressed up" in it.

 

To tone down the formality of the dress to make it a little more suitable for our "casual attire" church, I simply added a lightweight long blue cardigan from Stitch Fix.    It was also a great way to extend the wear of the dress into other seasons, as it is a sleeveless dress meant for warmer temperatures.


The weight of the cardigan is perfect for these cooler spring temperatures adding just the right of warmth.

 
I accessorized with a taupe clutch (also from Stitch Fix) and simple, elegant pearl jewelry.  I kept the jewelry understated to tone down the fanciness of the dress.



 

For shoes, I thought it was finally time to show my toes as all the snow melted.  I picked these open toed pumps from my closet.








Because it was a cool, windy day the day we took these pictures, I did keep the cardigan on all day.  But I also wanted to show you a few pictures of this dress without the cardigan.

 

Like most Ivanka Trump dresses, it is a very figure flattering dress but also modest.  I just love Ivanka  Trump's style and I'm in constant awe of how amazing she always looks.







And now, be sure to check out what the other Ageless Style ladies styled, and link up your outfits below.


Amy ~ Amy's Creative Pursuits BlogFacebookInstagramGoogle+Pinterest
Bettye ~ Fashion Schlub BlogFacebookInstagramYouTube
Daenel ~ Living outside the stacks BlogInstagramPinterestTwitter
Debbie ~ Fashion Fairy Dust BloglovinBlogInstagramPinterestFacebookTwitter
Jennie ~ A Pocketful of Polka Dots BlogInstagramFacebookPinterestTwitterBloglovin
Jodie ~ Jodie's Touch of Style BlogFacebookInstagramPinterestBloglovinTwitter
Julia ~ When the Girls Rule BlogFacebookPinterestInstagram
Kellyann ~ This Blonde's Shopping Bag BlogInstagramBloglovinTwitter
Shelly ~ The Queen in Between BlogInstagramBloglovinPinterestFacebook
Shugunna ~ Nzuri N* Simplicity BlogPinterestInstagram


Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!



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42 comments:

  1. Amy, you look amazing! This dress is so pretty and I love it with the long cardigan. I am glad that you have the grandkids as a distraction to keep you moving forward and that your family is safe and healthy. I have to admit that I do love a good conspiracy theory and have been working on an article describing some of my own conspiracy theories. My conspiracy theories are mostly silly but not entirely out of the realm of possibility either. Maybe one day I will finish the article and publish it!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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    1. Thank you! I would definitely read your article!

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  2. I don't know what we'd do to get through this if we didn't have the technology we have today. I'm so glad you and your family are safe and healthy! This dress is so pretty on you! Love the print!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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    1. Yes! Can you imagine the job losses if most people couldn't work from home? Thanks so much!

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  3. What a pretty dress! I think it would look cute with flat sandals too! I am glad all of your family is well and still employed!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. Thank you! That's a great idea for when the weather warms and we are allowed to leave our homes again. I pray the same for you and your family as well.

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  4. Amy, this dress looks absolutely amazing on you and you should totally wear it to church once you go again. Loving the color and it fits you so perfectly!

    It's so nice to see you again blogging and knowing you are doing well! I can imagine Alethea having so much fun helping in your vegetable garden!
    My hubby works in the essential field (railroad) and we're so glad he is still working as well. Hoping your son is keeping safe too, I know the Chicago area is the hardest hit in Illinois!

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    1. Thanks Ellie! That great news your hubby is still working.

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  5. What a gorgeous dress and I think the cardigan (also beautiful) takes it down to church-ready rather than too-dressy just perfectly. You look beautiful in it! I'm so glad you're "isolated" with your grandkids. I know it's so hard for so many not being able to see them (my neighbor lives right across the street from hers but they've been staying away from each other). I think there's a lot of media hype that's driving the fear but I think there are also good reasons for the precautions. And why toilet paper and paper towels??? I'm still going in to the office since I have a very hands-on job, but we're down to just 3 or 4 people in a 10,000 sf building and wearing masks and washing hands a lot. I think this will go on for a while, unfortunately, since we're all going into stores for food and necessities (perceived and otherwise) and we bring home what we buy. Thank you so much for the linkup and best wishes to you during your "sheltering" - glad you're in lock-up with some of your favorite people!

    Ruth
    https://voguefauxreal.com/2020/03/23

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    1. Thank you! How odd that your neighbor lives right across the street from the grandkids and they still stay away. Yes, some of the items people are buying are quite perplexing, aren't they? That's great that you're still working.

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  6. That is a fabulous dress! That cardigan matches so nicely too.

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  7. That dress is amazing Amy. I see why you bought it definitely. I think this is a great way to wear it, and I bet you could even make it more casual with a denim jacket and sneakers.
    XOOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. thanks Jodie! I tried the dress with a denim jacket and it looked horrific. But my denim jacket is very loose and boxy, so that was probably more the issue. It might have looked great with a more fitted denim jacket. As for sneakers, I just look frumpy in sneakers.

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  8. Oh gosh, what a pretty dress! I wonder how it would look with white sneakers and a denim jacket. I love a red floral dress with denim!

    Glad you have your family with you at this time. Hope everyone stays well.

    Bettye

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    1. Thank you! I'm not a huge fan of sneakers with dresses on me. I think it looks great on other people, but when I try it I look silly and frumpy. As for a denim jacket, I tried that and it didn't work. But as I said to Jodie above, it could have been the fit of the jacket that was the problem.

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  9. You look lovely in this dress, Amy. Glad to hear that you are doing ok :)
    https://lookingfabulousat50.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Anna! I hope all is well with you too.

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  10. You are lucky like me to have your grand-kids with you at this difficult time. Mine are also staying with me until their house is re-furbished for them. I'm missing my other son, daughter and their families - only seeing them from afar! I do hope it doesn't last for too long, and can't wait to get back to normal. Thanks for sharing that beautiful dress Amy. Stay safe and take care. Jacqui x

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    1. Yes I am! But like you, I miss my other son too. Praying this ends soon. Thank you.

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  11. Goodness this dress is beautiful! I just love the fit and bold colors and it looks cute with the long sweater. I am glad you had an opportunity to wear it. :) I am glad to hear you are surrounded by family, Amy. I hope this doesn't go on too much longer. Brian and I are ok and are working from home, but the boys don't have the same opportunity. For now all is ok, but who knows for how long. :(

    Jennie
    A Pocketful of Polka Dots

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    1. Thanks Jennie! I am so happy part of my family is here too. I hope your boys can get back to work soon.

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  12. This is a gorgeous dress on you!
    https://justlivejoy.com/5-at-home-workouts-on-youtube/

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  13. What a lovely dress! Looks so beautiful on you

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  14. That is so nice your daughter and her family are with you! I'm sure you are keeping busy, but what a nice full house to have! That dress is beautiful on you!

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    1. Yes, it's so wonderful having them here. I don't think I'd be able to get through it without them. Thanks so much.

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  15. That's a lovely dress on you and it's nice you could use this prompt to get inspired and dressed up!

    It's good you have your family living with you - i know our boys really miss their grandparents but we are trying to keep everyone safe and stay home as much as possible. it's terrifying seeing the scales of the infections and the deaths in the US, especially New York, we hear and see a lot in the news here from there, so you must be thankful you are all safe at home! the schools here are closed so we are trying to teach the kids while also workign from home - not so easy but we are thankful to have jobs, a few people in our family are out of a job right now while others are essential front line workers, heroes really! So it's a mixed bag here and we are grateful for what we have.

    Hope that you are having a nice week :) We are enjoying the Easter break, at home of course.

    Away From Blue

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    1. Thank you so much. Yes, the deaths are awful, but please keep in mind the population of the US is 327 million. New York has a population of 8.6 million and is a very unique city as so many people are living in such a small space of land plus everyone flies into NY from other countries. That's great that you still have jobs. I'm praying my husband will hang on to his!

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  16. Lovely dress Amy, very flattering and goes so well with the cardigan. Glad to hear you and your family are safe and well and that your children and grandchildren are with you.Stay safe x

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  17. HI Amy
    Lovely that your family is with you during this difficult time. I love the mix of orange and blue - what a pretty dress. I am goign to wear my Easter dress too! I just try to take stuff day by day as that is what is needed now. I hope you and your family have a Happy Easter.
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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    1. Yes it is great to have family with us. Thanks so much. I can't wait to see you in your Easter dress!

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  18. Such a pretty dress for spring, you look beautiful!

    It certainly is a strange time. I put my trust in God and pray for the millions of people who are out of work and many have lost their businesses.

    God bless you and your family! Happy Easter!
    ❤️carmen

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    1. Thank you. Yes, strange in deed. All we can do is put our trust in God. Happy Easter to you too.

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    2. Thank you Amy! I am grateful for good health but I lost my job. All my dance classes are canceled until further notice. I was working five days a week and this is a difficult time for us. My husband is out of work because he cannot work from home, he's a self-employed painter.

      We had also booked and paid for a flight to Texas but that is canceled and we won't get our money back, just when we need the money. Hopefully, a voucher but that does not help us financially right now.

      My daughter's eco-boutique may not make it if this continues much longer. Livelihood is an urgent matter too.

      I hope life goes back to some kind of normal soon! :-)

      One more thing I wanted to say--Ivanka is a classy and talented lady, I love her style!

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    3. Oh, I'm sorry. My husband still has his job but for how long I don't know. That's horrible that you didn't get your money back for your flight. I booked a bunch of Non-refundable hotels through Hotels.com and they gave me all my money back. And thanks for saying that about Ivanka. It's horrible how some people and the media treat her. She is such a beautiful person and has done so much for women in the country and the world and collected no salary.

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  19. The dress and cardigan look great together, they look lovely on you. I'm glad you and your family are well. Happy Easter and thanks for linking up!


    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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  20. That dress is beautiful on you and the peep toe really gives it the extra touch. I'm glad your fa.family are safe and sound, hopefully all of this will be done soon. Take care Amy

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    1. Thanks so much. I don't think this will be done soon, but I wish it were.

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