Wardrobe Recap 2018

I've pulled out all of my favorite looks from 2018!

I have grouped them
not only by color
but
in a way that shows
one piece two ways.
Most pieces are no longer on the market
but
still make for great styling inspiration
that we are all looking for!


This is quite a long post
full of styling ideas and tips
so
grab your
coffee or tea
and
 stay for a while!

This first look above
is an  off the shoulder dress
that was one of my most popular on Instagram this year.
It is definitely an easy piece to wear
and
 can be styled in so many ways!

Like here

where I paired it with a fun jean

and 

corset belt!

I am still a huge fan this year also

of a white booty

freshening up 

almost any outfit!

Here I took the same pant 

and 

paired it with a pocketed denim tunic.

These two pieces were definitely

on major rotation for running errands!

Before I continue with my styling ideas

I wanted to mention

my Instagram post that was the most popular by far!

With over 300 comments

and almost 900 likes.

It was this post that I talked about  keeping things real.

That I never wanted my blog to just be about 

looking pretty.

Believe me 

I don't even look like these 

Style Posts 

everyday.

I share my outfits here

to help spark 

Creativity In Others

just like I get inspired by seeing 

other people's 

Style Posts!

In this  IG post I just wanted to keep it 

Real and Authentic.

Just like I always keep my blog.

If you are a regular reader

You Know

I share, the good, bad and the ugly

and also

the beauty and love

that I am so 

Grateful for!

Now back to the pretty

Personal Style Posts.

I am still loving the ease of jumpsuits.

They are so easy to add some accessories to

and 

be out the door in a jiffy.

Here it's my usual in the accessory department ...

a cool shoe

bag

hat 

and 

statement earring.

Once you get a system

dressing well can be a quick endeavor!

One of my favorite pieces, even now

as I really try to buy items

that for me are basics

that will live in my closets for years

is this wrap long vest.

I styled it many ways this year

from here at my son's Rehearsal Dinner ...

To a day in downtown Los Angeles

with heels and a hat ...

The long wrap vest 

was also a perfect player

for a train ride to San Diego

to visit my daughter.

For the trip I paired it with 

pink flats

and 

my luxurious wrap from

Catherine Robinson Cashmere.

I have several of her pieces

and 

they are so worth the investment!

I added a new Caftan from

Ocean and Main

to my blue wardrobe pieces this year.

Buying pieces

that I know will play well with what I already own

is another styling tip 

I live by!

Not only does it give the new piece more options

one new piece can breathe new life into the existing pieces!

I know the new caftan will play wonderfully with

this blue kimono from

Jennafer Grace Collection

that I purchase at
 Chateau Belage
 in San Diego.

And I do know they are well stocked with new kimonos!

Here is the kimono again in LA!

I have paired it with my 

Lily Lark Parasol!

This is another brand I love.

That day the sun was really beating down

and I am a big believer in doing everything I can 

as far as sun care.

What I didn't realize

was that using

Lily Lark Parasols

actually drop the temperature 10 degrees as well!

Here is another styling trick I was so happy with!

I used a sleeveless ball dress from Anthropologie

and 

added a chambray shirt underneath!!

I had both pieces in my closet for years

but only came up with the combonation

when they were hanging on my rolling rack by chance!

I had combined the two 

once before

by wearing the shirt over the dress

but under was such a better

sleeveless dress solve

because the fit was so much more flattering!!

It mad for a perfect art opening afternoon ensemble!

This vintage dress was a birthday score

and made more a perfect outfit for dinner at

Saint Cecelia in Austin, Texas!

Some Paglamas by Jennifer Grace 

at Chateau Belage

also made it into my closet.

I have had this silk jacket for ages

but 

adding some white booties and 

ruffled white jeans 

completely made it new again!

A vintage straw hat and woven basket

from Africa

that I used as a purse

completed the look with a fresh summer flare!

Speaking of colorful silk jacket

this one from

Soft Surroundings

paired perfectly 

with some wide legged jeans

finished 

with a vintage straw used as a purse!

I loved, (and still do) these fabulous ruffled jeans

from Citizen's For Humanity

I tracked down a second pair!

They really breathe such fun into so many looks!

This 'top'

was actually sold as a dress

at Free People

and was definitely a summer favorite of mine!

A nice reminder to look at pieces in the stores

always with fresh eyes

as how they can be used!

I paired a new top from Target

with a fabulous stripe pair I've had for years.

A big floral pin was the perfect finishing touch

for this summer lunch outfit!

I also had some fun with

Check on Check!

They were the perfect pieces 

to celebrate my years from Chico!

The top  played so fun

with my favorite jeans

in Austin!

Some more

black and white styling!

I paired a jumper with some super wide velvet pants

and tee

to come together as a fun evening out look!

Faux fur stoles are a favorite of mine.

They add not only big glam

they definitely can ward off an evening chill!

This inexpensive jumpsuit from Target

just shows you can find great pieces

sometimes 

where you least expect them.

Now we are working into one of my favorite color pallets 

Cream and Whites!

I literally have a closet full!

They are the absolute easiest to pair together!

Mixing them with denim

adds a whole different dimension!

Fringe Baby

all the way!

This cream  linen dress from 

Soft Surroundings

was perfect for a hot summer Date Night!

One of my favorite vintage finds from Palm Springs

made for a perfect road trip outfit to Waco, Texas!

This linen dress

was still a top  summer player 

for the second year!

I am never feel like all my pieces 

need to be new each season.

Quite the contrary

I love finding some basic pieces 

I absolutely love

because the styling options 

can be endless

like a new canvas each time you put them on.

Here I pulled out my straw accessories.

The necklace is over a decade old

while the rest this last year.

Another styling tip I do

is buying accessories in wardrobes as well.

That way they live on for years and years

and get better with each additional piece!

Here I added my favorite jean, again

and 

paired them both with more neutral accessories!

See how adding one trendy jean this year

freshened so many existing pieces!

White on white 

plus neutrals

makes for the very easiest pairings

for fresh summer looks!

This caftan from Soft Surroundings

travels often with me in the warmer months.

It makes for the perfect hotel lounging  piece!

Bringing some poolside glam!

I remember when I was young feeling so self conscious 

by the pool.

These days I am old enough 

to be happy I am at the pool!

No longer will I feel not good enough

or 

body perfect enough

I choose to decide 

I am 

Enough.

Period.

There are so many gift in aging 

Believe Me.

I still have big turban love!

One of my favorite 

Palm Springs vintage finds!

I bought it for a song for the fabulous embroidery on the 

front and back.

Never thinking it would fit me

as extra large is hard to come by in vintage.

I probably had this dress over a year

before I tried it on

because I just knew it would be to small.

Imagine my sheer delight

when I did try it on 

and it fit like it was made for me!

Vintage Dress Magic for sure!!

White on white

is always the perfect background 

to really pop colorful accessories.

Another styling tip

the same color top and bottom

always elongates the body.

My very favorite wardrobe addition this year

was definitely my vintage coat

Jeff bought me for my birthday.

I have already flown with it twice!

It makes the most wonderful traveling blanket

aw well as ...

Being the perfect finish for separates!

And it kept me warm and cozy

on cold New England days!

This coat was vintage when I bought it

when I was going to NYU in 1979.

a lifetime ago.

It was my first vintage buy.

Being from Southern California

I remember my mother sent me $50 to buy a coat.

I fell in love with this one 

and 

still love it to this day.

For both reasons.

One of my favorite shots from 2018,

A brocade jumpsuit

shot out in my beloved Borrega Springs!

My favorite outfit from 2018.

My Mother of the Groom dress

from Hunter and Megan's Wedding!

I just realized a couple of weeks ago

that I have yet to do a post all about their gorgeous wedding!

The pictures came back near the holidays.

So now I can't wait to share their fabulous day!!

Some New Year's Eve Glam from 2018!

I'm finishing off this extra long post

with my favorite maxi this year!

This simple off the shoulder dress took me from walks on the beach

paired with a kimono
to a family wedding

and 

a gorgeous evening in Palm Springs!

I'm finishing off this extra long post

with my favorite maxi this year!

This simple off the shoulder dress took me from walks on the beach

to a family wedding

and 

a gorgeous evening in Palm Springs!

As an accessory designer 

I have a big passion for all

the styling opportunities 

a great piece can offer.

So my last styling tip would be

find some 

Wardrobe Basics

You Love To Wear

and then 

Make Them Your Very Own

with

Accessory Styling!

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy 

as you style your life