Layering Essentials for Fall with Ageless Style

Ageless Style is a monthly style challenge and link up for women of all ages.   Each month we pick a different theme and style an outfit based on that theme.  This month's theme is:  "Layering Essentials for Fall" and was picked by Joanne.

This November, the ladies of Ageless Style and I are showing  our "Layering Essentials for Fall".   There are so many ways to layer clothes in the fall:  scarves, jackets, cardigans, blazers, etc., but since "Shackets" are really trending right now, I decided to show two completely different ways to layer with a "Shacket".  One is a dressy option, and the other is super casual.

If you don't know what a "Shacket" is, it is a large, oversized, shirt worn as a jacket.  Some materials can be thinner, like the corduroy shacket I'm wearing in the picture above left, and others can be very thick and warm like the flannel above right which has a quilted lining.

Let's take a look at each shacket one at a time.

For my first outfit, I paired a lightweight corduroy jacket with a shift dress.

The burgundy shift dress has short sleeves so the shacket was perfect for keeping my arms warm in the cooler fall weather, but because it is lightweight, I wasn't too warm like I would be if I wore a cardigan.

The shacket has a nice long length in the back, so it will be perfect to wear with leggings too.

To complete the look, I wore tall brown boots, carried a black bag with brown straps, and chose a long beaded necklace and gold bracelet.

For my second outfit, I am showing a casual hiking outfit.  This fall day was much colder than the one above.  I wore a warm white turtle neck sweater under my shacket to keep cozy warm.

This shacket is more like an actual jacket because it has a quilted lining and is super warm.  I love to use this one at home to throw on quickly if I need to run outside.

I chose khaki pants, to coordinate with all the beige I had already going on in the sweater and the shacket.  And because it was so cold, I added a black beanie and white knit gloves.  Because we were hiking, I wore my Merrel hiking boots, but if I were wearing this on the street, I'd probably have such cute booties on.

 If you'd like to purchase either of these shackets,  I found the corduroy one HERE and the plaid one HERE.  I do not make any commission on your purchase, I provide the links for your convenience only.

And now, be sure to check out how the rest of the ladies are styling their "Layering Essentials for Fall" and link up your outfits with us below.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits

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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style

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TJMaxx Fall Fashion Finds

Lately I've been finding TJMaxx to be my go-to place for fashion.  I try to pop in there at least once a week because the new stuff goes fast.  If I'm short on time, I at least walk the main aisles because that's where they put their newest items.  I can spend time searching through their racks for slower days.

I found both this pretty black top and fun pants at TJMaxx this fall.  This is the perfect fall outfit to wear when the calendar says it is fall but the weather says it is still summer, as the colors are dark, yet the fabrics are light and breezy.

These pants attract a lot of attention.  It seemed everywhere I went, someone complimented these pants.  They have an elastic waist, and are very lightweight so they are super comfy.  I think they would be very appropriate to wear on a summer evening as well.

The top is by Calvin Klein.  It has loose, flowing, butterfly sleeves which I love.

Because the pants are ankle length, I wanted to wear a showy shoe so I chose these strappy black sandals from my closet.

I felt the outfit had a classic, yet boho vibe to it so for accessories I chose a DIY tassel necklace.

 So what about you?  Have you found any great buys at TJMaxx lately?  I'd love to hear from you!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

A New Little One To Love

Well if you've been wondering where I've been or what's up with the spotty blog posts here and there, this is one reason why.  This adorable, little, snuggle muffin was born!  Can you tell I'm just smitten?   I'm one of those people that just loves newborn babies!  I could hold them for hours.  I love their smell, their soft skin, and all the funny little facial expressions and noises they make.  I can't stop kissing those chubby cheeks!  Oh, my goodness!  Newborns are a gift from heaven!

Elisha John was born while my husband and I were vacationing in North Dakota.  That explains week one of my absence from the blog.  We were at the end of our vacation, so we finished it and came home for a few days to unpack and get some things done.  It's harvest season, so you can just imagine all the vegetables I had ready for me to be canned and processed.  Hubby of course had to go to work and take care of a few things since he was gone the week before.  Then we left on Saturday to see our newest grandson!  My husband had three days of vacation left that we were saving for Thanksgiving, but we decided to use them up now to see the baby.  Alethea, our granddaughter, was so overjoyed that we were coming to visit that she cried.  Oh, it melts my heart to be loved so much by my grandchildren.

I took these newborn pictures just using my iPhone in Elisha's nursery.  

Elisha John arrived right on his due date at 40 weeks.  He was 9lbs 12 oz and 21 and 3/4 inches long.  My daughter has big babies!  

The names Elisha John are from the Bible.  In my daughter's words:  "Elisha means "my God is salvation." We chose the middle name John out of admiration for the humility and faithfulness of John the baptist.

Our hope and prayer is that Elisha would lead a life in humility and zeal, declaring the saving power of our God!"

And here is the happy new family of five.  The other children, Atticus and Alethea are just loving their new baby brother.  And we are all very grateful Elisha is such a "good" baby (I hate using that term, because all babies are "good" but everyone knows what I mean by it) because he can sleep through all the noise and racket the other two children make.  He rarely fusses, and he sleeps pretty good at night already.

Ashley is feeling very well already, so we were able to get out and do a little something every day we were visiting.  One of the things we did was go to downtown Zionsville to take some fall pictures.  It is such a cute little town, and there were plenty of fall displays to choose from.

Isn't this little guy just the cutest?  

Alethea and I both wore purple so I was so excited to find this unique purple house to use as a photo backdrop.  And oh my goodness, you should have seen the garden of this home!  An artist must live here, because they had so many quirky, fun art in their garden and the cutest potting shed I ever did see...also the color purple.

I couldn't help but use this pretty store display for a photo shoot.  Here I am, my arms completely filled with love!  I couldn't be happier!

We still haven't figured out who he looks like, we all have different opinions and of course everyone on-line who sees the pictures has their opinion.  But as he grows, we will soon see!

Now I am the grandmother of two grandsons!  Such handsome, sweet boys they are.  My prayer is that they will grow up to love and serve God all the days of their lives.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Feeling The Blues

Now before some of you might assume I'm depressed based on the title of this post,  fear not,  I'm not feeling blue,  I'm "Feeling The Blues" in this outfit of many shades of blues!  

If you recognize this sweater, it's because I just showed it on Friday's "What I Wore" post,  only in that post I wore the sweater with blue leggings and here I am wearing it with a vest and jeans.

I'm normally not a fan of stripes, but I do love this sweater.  The stripes are minimal enough not to annoy me too much.   The length is perfect to wear with leggings, and the oatmeal color with blue stripes goes with anything.  And did I mention it is super comfy and comes in several different colors too?  I put a direct link to this sweater at the end of the post.

For footwear I chose these taupe booties. 

Since the outfit was so casual,  I went for blue statement earrings to amp the look up a little.

My new handbag from my October Stitch Fix box was the perfect accessory with this outfit.

Sweater:  JCPenney,  Blue Vest,  old, similar: HERE,  Pull on Jeans by Liverpool, Stitch Fix, similar: HERE,  Neutral Cross Body Bag, Stitch Fix, similar:  HERE,   Wedge Booties, old, similar: HERE, Blue Statement Earrings, old, similar:  HERE.

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

A Fall Hike Outfit

This is a pre-scheduled post.  I am in Illinois visiting my children and grandchildren.  They do not have Internet service so I will be unable to respond to your comments or visit your blogs till I return.

I feel like I've really missed out on all the fall fun everyone else in Blog Land has been experiencing. Every time I open my IPad some blogger is exclaiming about their beautiful weather and showing all their fun activities.  My husband and I normally partake in all those great fall activities too, but not this year as the weather has been miserable.  It has literally rained every single weekend, and not just any rain, but cats and dogs pouring rain.  And if it's not raining, it's bitter cold!  Our poor local kids had the worst Homecoming ever freezing in the cold.  BUT we finally had ONE good weekend, the last weekend before a killing frost,  and my  husband and I managed to go on a hike after church on a beautiful 63 degree day.

Because we were going to church beforehand, I had to be a little more careful in picking out my outfit to make sure it was suitable for both church and hiking.  I ended up going with this outfit:

Everything I am wearing is old except for the cross body bag.  I just received that in my October box from Stitch Fix.  As always, I will link similar items to what I am wearing at the end of the post.

We love to take this hike every year.  The paths are gorgeous, and they have a 60 foot tower on the top of a hill that you can climb up and see this incredible view.  If you're local, the name of the place is "Hoffman Hills Recreation Area" and it's located near Menomonie Wisconsin.

Because I went to church earlier that day,  I didn't want to wear my usual Merrill Hiking Boots that I wear when I travel and chose this dressier version instead.  The top of the boot can be worn up or down.  If you fold them down a pretty plaid material is revealed.  I didn't want the plaid in the boot to compete with the plaid in my shirt, so I wore them up.

As I mentioned earlier,  I chose this cross body bag from my latest Fix because the neutral color went with my outfit and the cross body style made it easy to carry.

I always wear jewelry even with the simplest of outfits.  It dresses up a casual outfit, and it makes any outfit looks more polished and put together.  On this day I wore a simple gold bracelet, necklace, and earrings.

So I would be comfortable walking, I wore my stretch corduroy pants I received in a Fix from last year.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love these cords!  They are so comfy!  I find I reach for them instead of my jeans all the time!

My beige cardigan I picked up at TJMaxx several years ago.  I love the neutral color and the interesting texture on back.

My plaid top I've had in my closet for awhile now.  I got it at JCPenney.  I'm usually not a fan of plaid button down tops for they tend to look awful on me, but this one is flattering for some reason.

Edyson Skinny Cords, old, similar HERE and HERE. Cardigan, old, similar HERE, Plaid Button Down Shirt, old, similar HERE and HERE,  Boots, old, similar HERE, Bag, unavailable, similar HERE. 

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!   

Stitch Fix #33 Review

This is a pre-scheduled post.  I am in Illinois helping my daughter with my grandchildren.  They do not have Internet service so I will be unable to respond to comments or visit your blogs until I return.

I feel like I just reviewed a box from Stitch Fix, but this one included two accessory items which I wore in almost every outfit post, so it is wrapping up a little sooner than these posts usually do.

This was an interesting box and an even more interesting Instagram Poll, as my pollsters weren't fond of much of anything in this box.  Why, I have no idea, as I thought there were some pretty cute things.  Sometimes I really listen to my pollsters (especially if I'm on the fence about some things)  and sometimes, I don't.  This was one of the times I didn't listen, and I kept three of the five items that was sent to me.

In this box I received two tops, one dress, one bag, and a pair of earrings.

Urban Expressions "Maison Whipstitch Trim Crossbody" Bag

Status:  KEPT!

I loved this bag and I was so excited to get this bag in my Fix.  A good, neutral cross body bag is essential for me when traveling.  For years I have been using the same neutral cross body bag that was getting pretty dated and worn.  I was happy to get a trendy, new one.  I loved the whip stitch trim.

Instagram pollsters were not thrilled with the bag.  It polled at #2 with only 56% of readers saying to "Keep" and 44% saying to "Return".

Fortune and Ivy "Elisha Cowl Neck Hacci Knit Dress"

Status:  RETURNED!

I know,  I know,  you're all shocked I returned this dress.  But trust me, I have a good reason.  I  was so excited to receive a sweater dress in my box.  I have wanted a sweater dress for years but I have never been able to find one that fit me well and did not cling to every lump and bulge.  This one fit beautifully BUT it was a very thin knit:  you could literally see right through it.  In Wisconsin, our winters are very bitter cold.  I knew a dress this thin would not be practical in my climate.  So reluctantly,  I sent it back but I asked my stylist to send thicker sweater dresses in the future.

This was the only item Instagram Pollsters seemed to really like.  It came in first place with 71% of readers saying to "Keep" and 29% saying to "Return".

Papermoon "Larie Crew Neck Blouse"

Status:  RETURNED!

I know you're also probably shocked I sent this shirt back as there were so many things I liked about it.  When I saw it in the box, I thought for sure it would be a keeper.  But the second I held it up it looked too short.  Well, it turns out it was too short because they sent me a Medium Petite.  I'm 5'7 with a long torso (yes Stitch Fix has my measurements.  I have no idea why they sent me a petite and I did complain about it).  I loved the shade of green and the rust colored flowers and bell sleeves, but it just didn't seem to fit me right so I sent it back.

Instagram readers were not fond of this shirt at all.  It came in dead last with only 29% saying to "Keep" and 71% saying to "Return".  Perhaps they could tell it didn't fit me right too!

Daniel Rainn "Darrel Crochet Yoke Knit Top"

Status "Kept!"

This top really surprised me.  I thought for sure I was going to return it when I pulled it out of the box.  But once I tried it on I was sold!  That's one of my favorite things about Stitch Fix.  I would have passed on this top in the store, but Stitch Fix forces you to try things on!

I really love this top because it is SO COMFORTABLE!  It's a very soft, thin knit.  It feels like a dream to wear.  I also think it is so flattering on my body.

Instagram readers were divided on this top.  It tied for fourth place with 50% saying to "Keep" and 50% saying to "Return".

Bancroft "Julianna Drop Earrings"

Status:  KEPT!

I really liked these earrings.  They are different from anything I already own.  I love the mix of silver and gold and the hammered finish.

Again,  Instagram Pollsters were divided.  It tied for fourth place with the blue top,  with 50% saying to "Keep" and 50% saying to "Return".

Overall, this wasn't one of my best Fixes as I only kept one clothing item,  but I loved that one item and the two accessories.  I was not pleased that I have been such a long and faithful customer and I was sent the wrong size in an item.  I would think that by now they would know what size I am!  Those kind of mistakes shouldn't happen.

In summary,  I received five items in this Fix:  two tops, a dress, a handbag, and a pair of earrings.  I kept three of the five items:  the blue top, the handbag, and the earrings.

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!