Ageless Style Link Up "The Heat Is On"

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. 

Welcome ladies to another Ageless Style Link Up.  This month's theme "The Heat Is On" was chosen by Debbie.  Debbie said "Do with it what you will...enjoy!" so I decided to feature an outfit  that I wore on a hot day visiting friends:  A day I really did "enjoy!".

Now if this outfit looks familiar to you, it's because it is!  I've shown it to you before HERE and HERE.  You will be seeing lots of my clothes on repeat, because I am just not buying new clothes during Covid...no matter how good the deals are.  I did buy a few pair of shoes, but that is all I've purchased the past five months.  Fashion just seems an unnecessary luxury during these trying times.

Now we've been having a lot of hot weather in Wisconsin this summer which is quite unusual for us.  When the weather gets warm, I like to wear lightweight clothes with the least material possible but still stay modestly dressed.  Skirts are my go-to item all summer long.  I wear shorts at home, but rarely wear them outside the house.  I prefer skirts or skorts to shorts anytime, and I enjoy off-the-shoulder tops like this one for keeping cool.

I also prefer comfortable sandals over sneakers or shoes.  They are so much more cooling than shoes that cover the entire foot.  I also have issues with my feet swelling on super hot/humid days, and sandals are more suitable footwear for that problem.

Now if you're wondering where all these beautiful photos have been taken and who these adorable pet animals are, they are all my dear friends.  She has lots of sun on her property, so she has the most beautiful flower gardens.  I am a lover of animals, especially cats, and I just went ga-ga over their kitten.  They also have two dogs, both of whom are as sweet as can be.

I will close this post with more pictures of my friend's beautiful garden.  Enjoy!

And now, be sure to check out the other ladies of Ageless Style and see how they interpreted the theme "The Heat Is On".

Amy ~ Amy's Creative Pursuits Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest

Bettye ~ Fashion Schlub Blog, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

Daenel ~ Living outside the stacks Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter

Debbie ~ Fashion Fairy Dust Bloglovin, Blog, Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter

Jennie ~ A Pocketful of Polka Dots Blog, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Bloglovin

Jodie ~ Jodie's Touch of Style Blog, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter

Julia ~ When the Girls Rule Blog, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram

Kellyann ~ This Blonde's Shopping Bag Blog, Instagram, Bloglovin, Twitter

Shelly ~ The Queen in Between Blog, Instagram, Bloglovin, Pinterest, Facebook

Shugunna ~ Nzuri N* Simplicity Blog, Pinterest, Instagram

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Stitch Fix Off The Shoulder Top and Review of Box #19

 One of the last items to review from my last Stitch Fix box is this off-the-shoulder top.  The embroidered detail on the ruffle portion of this top was so beautiful I kept it.  

The top is a thick knit and it hangs loosely over the stomach.  I like that feature, but I've struggled with styling it.  I tried it with both shorts and skirts, but because of the bagginess, it seems to only look good with skinny jeans.  That really limits how often I'll be able to wear it, because it has to be warm enough to expose my arms and shoulders, yet cool enough to wear jeans.  The knit is also very thick, so it won't work well on a hot summer day.

I had to make a decision really fast about what to keep and what to send back in this Fix because I was headed out of town.  I also didn't have my husband around to help me decide.  Looking back, I probably should have sent this top back for all the reasons I described above.  But my love for embroidery outweighed my better judgment.

The stylist card suggested styling the top with white jeans, which you can see in the short video below.  There was a hint of burgundy in the embroidery, so I tried it with my burgundy jeggings and grey booties from Blowfish.

Here is a close up of the beautiful embroidery.  I chose a simple rose gold necklace from Francescas to wear as it complimented the embroidery without competing with it.

 I carried a black tote by Liz Claiborne and wore a multi colored bracelet.

And now for a summary of my 19th box from Stitch Fix.

Liverpool Nik Skinny Jean:  Returned

The main reason I returned the white jeans was because I already own a pair of white jeans.  You can see the pair I own in the photo below.  But I also returned them because they didn't fit well.  It had a huge gap in the back waist.  They were also very thick and uncomfortable.  I only wear white jeans in warm weather, and I prefer a thinner weight.

West Kei Julianne Tie Front Blouse:  Kept

Collective Clothing Marenna Cold Shoulder Dress:  Kept

Baublebar Pearl Statement Collar Necklace:  Returned 

Overall, this was a great Fix for me.  I really wish they would not have sent me those white jeans because I probably would have kept the entire Fix.  You get a 25% discount (which ends up being huge) if you keep the entire Fix.  But because of those jeans, I had to send two items back.  I would have loved to have kept the necklace if it hadn't cost so much.  I've learned from experience it's not economical to send only one item back from your Fix;  it cost almost or just as much if you kept the whole Fix and received the 25% off.  Always send back two or more items.

So what do you think?  Did I keep the right items?  I'd love to her your thoughts below.  I'd also like some suggestions on how you'd style this off the shoulder top.

Oh, and since a few people have asked me, I decided to join Stitch Fix's referral program.  If you've always wanted to try Stitch Fix but have been a little nervous, you can get $25.00 your first Fix through my referral link HERE.

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

Stitch Fix #16: Off The Shoulder Top

I received this gorgeous off the shoulder top in my 16th Fix.  This is the fourth item I received in that Fix.  I have already reviewed three items from that Fix HERE and HERE.  On Monday I will review the last item in that Fix and also the only item I kept,  plus do a summary of Fix #16.

The top is by Sanctuary and is called "Glorianna Off  The Shoulder Ruffle Detail Blouse.  I absolutely LOVED this top!  But it was so expensive!  Would you believe they were asking $79.00 for this top?  That's a bit too much for me, especially since it is not the most practical top in the world and I knew I wouldn't wear it much.

As the name describes, the top is off the shoulder and has layers of ruffles on the bust and sleeves.  It also has cute little buttons down the front.

For photography purposes only I followed the cues on the stylist card and paired the top with distressed Bermuda shorts and sandals.  I added a straw hat from H&M, a multi strand coral necklace and earrings, and a saddlebag.

All last season I saw women baring their shoulders, but I had not yet joined the party.  I always felt a little self conscious showing so much skin, plus I didn't think it was a good look for me since I carry my weight in my upper body.  But for some reason, I felt this top was flattering on me.  Perhaps it was because the ruffles concealed my large bust and arms.  I did wonder how practical it would be since it has long sleeves.  I mean, it's cute as all get out, but if it's it's warm enough to bare your shoulders, you certainly don't want fabric on your arms!

Excuse my "Farmer's Tan".  I usually wear a tank top in the garden so my chest and arms get sun but not much else.  Yes, I wear suntan lotion, but I probably should be wearing sunblock. Ah, the joys of gardening:  stained knees, bug bites, scratches, and tan lines!

Anyway here is a close up so you can see the tiny buttons.  And isn't the print so pretty?  I love the little white dots.

My brown cross body saddle bag was a gift from my daughter (old).  For footwear I chose brown flat strappy sandals from DSW (old).

I picked up my hat for only $12.99 from H&M when we were in Savannah.  I just LOVE it!  I couldn't believe the amazing price.

So what do you think?  Did I make the right decision to send it back?  Let me know in the comments below.

On Monday's Fashion Post I will share the one item I kept...My husband's favorite....and do a review of the entire Stitch Fix Box #16.

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!