A Black and White Outfit with Polka Dots

My husband and I went to North Chicago this past weekend to see my kid's perform in a concert.  They flew in from Orlando for the gig, and because we only live about five hours from where the concert was, we were able to go.  It was not only fun to see them again, but it was a special treat to see them perform together.  Their musical styles are so different (one is a classically trained opera singer, and the other is a rock band drummer), that they have never performed together before.   It was pure joy for me to see both of my kids up on stage together and to be able to spend some time with them as well.

 This is what the proud momma wore to their concert.  I wore a white seersucker skirt (JCP old), a black polka dotted top (Target, old), a black moto jacket (Forever 21, old), black sandals (old, JCP), a new neck tie that I picked up at a gift shop in Stillwater, Minnesota, and a NEW PURSE!!!!  My daughter just gave me two new purses for my birthday and Christmas, and for Mother's Day she bought me another two purses.  This pretty hot pink one and a minty blue cross body bag that I will show in a future post.

I originally planned on carrying a black and white purse with this outfit, but when Ashley gave me this one, I quickly changed my mind.  I love the color that it brings to this outfit.

 I told Ashley that I love it when she gives me purses as gifts, because that is something I rarely buy for myself.  I love handbags and I especially love to coordinate my bag with my outfit, so I already have so many that I can't justify buying a new one.  But I sure love to receive handbags as gifts!

For jewelry, I wore a zebra print bracelet (Express) and black and silver long earrings.

I really love the idea of tying a handkerchief around your neck.  They still provide a little extra warmth, without the bulk, and they add such a nice extra touch to your outfit.

If your wondering how to tie it, all I did was fold it once into a triangle shape,  Then I double tied it on one side around my neck and pulled it to the side.

The skirt has several pleats in it, so it is nice and full.

My shoes are super high, but because they are wedges, I can still walk in them comfortably.  However,  I wouldn't wear them if I was shopping all day!

I'm taller than my husband when I wear these shoes, but he doesn't mind.  At one point during our weekend, I grabbed his arm and  jokingly said to him "Let's go shorty" and he just laughed.

I know this post is pretty photo heavy, but we found the cutest garden spot ever to take fashion posts. I ended up doing two photo shoots in this garden, the other outfit you'll see on Friday's fashion post.  I will also show more pictures of just the garden in Sunday's Gardening post.

Chicago is one garden zone warmer than where I live, so everything blooms a tad earlier there, and they can also grow a few things there that I can't in my zone.

I just love this peaceful little garden.  It's all stone paths and pretty trees and shrubs, with a few flowers here and there.  I'm slowly re-working my own garden, and this is the look I hope to someday have.

I just loved this little spot with the white crab apple blooming in front of this old brick church.  Talk about the perfect spot to take a photograph!

Have a Great Day!  Amy

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A Black Moto Leather Jacket with Lavender Lace?

When putting together an outfit this week I had two motives:  showcase another spring jacket to continue my spring jacket series, and find something, anything, in my closet that I haven't shown you before.  And that is how to my surprise this fabulous outfit was created.  I never in a million years would have considered pairing a faux-leather moto jacket with a lavender lace top; but I love it!

 The jacket I bought several years ago from Forever 21 for $15.00.  The top is old, the flare jeans were purchased this past fall at American Eagle.

American Eagle is the only store I was able to find flares that weren't too long.  I like my flares a little shorter so I can wear them with a lower heel.  Most flares are designed to be worn with stilettos...which I don't wear.

My black pashmina scarf is from T.J. Maxx (old).

 Because I had a scarf on and there was so much detail in top,  I only wore a bracelet, purple earrings and my usual rings for jewelry.

My purse is actually a back pack.  I only use it as a back pack when traveling.  I normally just sling it over my shoulder like this.  I bought it at Kmart a year or so ago while on vacation.  We were hiking in the mountains and believe it or not we were ill prepared and did not bring a back pack.  So I ran into the nearest town store and grabbed this baby and have been using it ever since.

 Here is the lavender lace top without the jacket and scarf.  It is a sheer top, so I wore a lavender tank top underneath.  It has a banded waistline and the sleeves are open to the waist.

I don't normally pose like this, but I was trying to find the best stances to show the special features of the sleeves.

See how deep the sleeve opening goes?  Isn't that different?

I was so pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this outfit when I saw the pictures.  I've never worn this top much because I always struggled with how to style it.  To come up with such a fun outfit by chance was a nice unexpected event.

What about you?  Have you ever accidentally paired some clothing items and was surprised by how well it looked?  I'd love to hear from you!

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