Fashionista friends, welcome to Ageless Style 09.2024, transitioning from summer-to-fall. Today’s prompt comes to us from Rosemary at Distinctly Southern Style. She took a peek at the calendar and realized this post would go live just days before the official first day of fall. Perfect timing. But then Rosemary made the decision to step away from blogging for a time. So, she won’t be joining us today; we will miss her but wish her well.
One more piece of housekeeping before we jump into things, we are welcoming a new member to the Ageless Style posse. Please help us say hello to Jennifer at Overflowing with Thankfulness. You might know Jennifer from her popular “Thankful Thursday” and “Friday Favorites” posts. I am delighted to be reconnecting with her through this series. Welcome, Jennifer!!
Ageless Style 09.2024
When I originally started planning for this post, I was thinking of ways I take my favorite summer pieces and adapt them for wear into the early weeks of autumn. Adding jackets and cardigans to strappy sundresses. Switching my sandals out for flats, tennies and booties and loafers. Even just retiring my straw bag til next spring for something in faux leather.
Of course, my beloved kimonos are some of the things I reach for first during this in-between season. They are just so easy to take off when I get hot. Our afternoon highs are still in the upper 90s, so I get hot a lot. But the AC everywhere is likely still going full blast even in the mornings when our temps are in the lower 70s. So, I do a lot of on-off-on-off with layers during this time of year. But who am I fooling? I am hardly leaving the house with this foot!!
Summer-to-Fall
In far west Texas, fall doesn’t really arrive until late October or early November. We are still a good 6 weeks out from cooler temps and changing colors. I am anxious to get out my fall decorations so it at least looks like we are moving into my favorite season, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
A Little Southwest Seasoning
For some reason, I like wearing southwest flavored pieces in the fall. The photos below were taken in 09.2023 of pieces that caught my eye at Versona and Cavendars. But it was still so hot that it was hard to think about trying on woolly warm wraps and jackets. When the weather finally cooled a little bit (last summer was record-breaking with over 70 days of triple digits), I returned to my favorite stores and all the best things were already gone. I guess that thing about early worm is right. That doesn’t sound right. The early bird gets the worm. That’s better.
Here are some of the things I was coveting this time last year.
And here are a few of my own southwest (and other) looks from early fall 2023.
I really like this kimono from Versona with the cute little horsie earrings and my white cowgirl boots. And I bought the cow print bag at Versona to wear with it.
I remember feeling happy wearing this. And the outfit below is something I wore to the pumpkin patch in the fall of 2021. Probably the ME-est outfit I have. This could be my uniform!!
Transitioning from Summer-to-Fall 2024
Thanks to my broken foot, the only transitioning I am doing right now is a 1 footed-hop from my rolling office chair to the potty and back to the chair. Have taken my scooter out once for a doctor’s appointment, a second opinion. This foot and ankle specialist agreed that I am not a candidate for surgery. He repeated the X-rays and determine that the fractures are lining up to heal. Hallelujah.
We were only able to get a loaner full-sized wheelchair through our insurance so it doesn’t fit well through our doorways at home. That is why I continue to use the rolling chairs. I have one small rolling chair that will enable me to get into the bathroom, pull up to the lavatory, brush my teeth, wash my face. A second rolling chair from PC’s office that I use downstairs. It rolls well, and allows me to access the kitchen cabinets, roll up to the kitchen table, go outside. Upstairs, I have my little office rolling chair to use in my loft and rolling into our bedroom, although I haven’t transitioned into sleeping upstairs in our bedroom because I can’t easily get into the en suite.
I spend a lot of my day transitioning. But not from summer-to-fall. Trying to avoid falls at all cost!!
Feeling My Oats
This week, I have become a little more adventurous. Have taken 2 whole baths all by myself!! Even washed my hair. Ta-da!! Have figured out a way up the stairs so I can spend a little time in my loft, scrapbooking. Two mornings this week, I have hopped out to the patio for breakfast and quiet time and blessed sunshine. Oh, I miss being outside, wandering around in the yard, going for walks. Trying to cook more, too. Today I shuffled/rolled/hopped about the kitchen to make this copycat Arby’s Beef-n-Cheddar sandwich recipe in the crockpot. My BFF Sharon sent crockpot liners and seasoning packets to help me out in the cooking department.
As far as clothing goes, I am struggling to transition in and out of clothes. Have been wearing Old Navy drawstring athletic shorts because the leg openings are wide enough to easily go over my boot. I have worn one pair of wide leg jeans to appointments and to have our passport pictures done. Thank goodness, wide leg pants are in style. Could never have gotten into skinny jeans, in more ways than one. Just ordered these stonewall colored extra high-waist, wide-leg jeans from Old Navy. Hope they will easily move over my boot, too. Have been wearing a shoe on my left foot because I do so much pushing off with it that the left foot has become bruised, too. For now, I guess I should be glad for our extended summer weather that allows me to be comfortable in baggy shorts and old tee shirts.
Your Turn
How are you transitioning from summer-to-fall or in the southern hemisphere, from winter-to-spring? Do you make little changes around the house to celebrate the change in season? Do you treat yourself to a couple of new things to spruce up your wardrobe with something trendy and new?
I have 2 posts on these third Thursdays every month. You can find last month’s Ageless Style post, here and last month’s Tell Us About post, here. Haven’t decided as I finish writing this post, which one I will publish first. Decisions, decisions!! But hope you will also check out my Tell Us About post for today, too.
And please join me in visiting my Ageless Style girlfriends, who are no doubt stylishly embracing the changing seasons.
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog
Blog / Instagram /Pinterest / Bloglovin’
Joanne ~ My Slice of Life
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Jennifer ~ Overflowing with Thankfulness
Join us by linking up your post below. And mark your calendars for the next Ageless Style link-up, 10.17.2024, when we will be sharing our interpretation of Jennifer’s ‘cozy October’ prompt.
The Arby’s sandwiches are beginning to smell good from the crockpot in the kitchen. My leg and foot are tired so I am going to transition from the recliner to the couch to ice and elevate my foot. Wishing you a beautiful weekend ahead.
Hugs and kisses,
I love all your throwback fall looks! It’s amazing to hear how you are adapting to your new situation; though less than ideal I love that you have discovered some really helpful rolling chairs. I’ve ordered a few pairs of these stretchy palazzo pants from Amazon and they are so comfy and come in lots of colors and patterns (if you need some long pant ideas for when shorts just won’t cut it anymore these may work– https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088R8N34L). I love that I look so dressy and yet kind of feel like I’m wearing pajamas!
Thank you so much for the link to the palazzo pants. They are so cute and would work well with this clunky boot!! I put on a pair of wide leg jeans to wear to church today but they were not wide enough and kept catching on my boot. I looked like a pirate with one pant leg scrunched up to mid-calf and the other one down near my foot. Thank you for coming to my rescue. You are a doll.
You are what I envision when I hear the word Fashionista, Leslie. I’m sorry the boot is cramping your style, but it appears you are managing, and it’s good news things are in line for healing. This time of year, I made the style transition much how you described…adding a cardigan and swapping out shoes. It’s still pretty much shorts and flip flops weather where I am though. I do feel the cooler air in the early mornings and evenings. Yay!
Oh, my gravy, consider yourself kissed!! You are the sweetest thing. I cannot imagine that I am a fashionista in anybody’s book. Most days, I just get dressed!! Ha. But I do like clothes and do like putting outfits together. You are so kind.
Loved your blue dress in a recent FB picture. I noticed you were still in sandals. Fall is taking its sweet time getting here. You had a pretty fall pedicure, looked like. I am still sporting a very springy pale pink. Need to rememdy that. It was cooler this morning when we woke up so there’s hope that fall will eventually arrive as it has forever!!
OMG, that “me” outfit just tickles my fancy. Keep healing fast and pretty soon you’ll be wearing those cowboy boots,
XOOX
Jodie
I hope your leg continues to heal well. What a frustration! I’m glad you still have warm weather and don’t ‘need’ those pants yet too. You are such a problem solver with your wheeling/rolling chair!
Thank you, sugar plum. My foot is much better but still hobbling about on one foot and rolling about on office chairs. Praying it heals completely because this girl has no time to sit around!! I have life to live.
Ooof! I remember those days of going up and down the stairs on my rear! It’s not fun at all. Luckily, our new condo was built with seniors in mind so the doorways and the hallways are all extra wide. The kitchen, woefully, is not. Mike and frequently crash into each other as he’s usually in his wheelchair by the time I’m fixing dinner. He’s just tired out from using the walker all day.
I am so glad you didn’t need surgery and that everything is healing well! You put together such a fun take on transitions, Leslie! You are such a gifted writer!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thank you so much, Marsha. Your comments always warm my heart. When we had this house built we wanted our kitchen island to be parallel to the den wall so we could watch TV while preparing meals. We had to sign an ADA release form because by doing so, the island didn’t allow for ADA required measurements between things…between the end of the island and the refrigerator. Between the other end of the island and the cabinets, etc. Now I know why!! PC almost has to grease me up before I can squeeze my way through the kitchen. When we are both in there, it is super tight. So I totally understand the crashing going on in your kitchen. Glad you had the foresight to get wide halls and doorways.
Just hate that Mike has had such a time. Is he getting around any more comfortably this week? I hope so. While I am not ready for toe shoes or ballroom dancing, I am feeling better and stronger (and more impatient).
Hi, Leslie – I love your Southwestern style and the Me outfit is definitely You! Get well soon – Angie, http://www.yourtrueselfblog.com
Thank you!! I guess because I live in the southwest I feel like I should be ‘wearing’ the southwest, too!!
I am getting stronger (and more impatient with my foot) everyday. Thank you. Hope to be back to hiking soon.
I’m glad your’re getting around a little bit and praying your foot heals soon. I haven’t worn my kimonos in ages and need to pull them out this weekend. They really are the perfect fall layer. Love both of your outfits with cowboy boots! Those are both definitely “Leslie” outfits!
Jill – Doused in Pink
I love all your western looks! I’m so sorry you broke your foot. I was away on vacation so I think I missed the news and how it all happened, but I share in your misery. I remember when I had my hip replacement the difficulty of getting around and not being able to do things. It was so depressing, but I knew it wouldn’t be forever. And I’m so happy I had the surgery because I feel so amazing now and pain free.
Oh I love that outfit in with the pink shoes (and cactus tee) and the outfit next to it with the yellow! Absolutely perfect! Hope you get s couple pieces this year when you see them (don’t wait to long) but with your foot might be difficult. Wide trousers are a plus for getting over your boot.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I am sure everything thing takes a little extra time and grace these days for you, but you’re doing better each day with it. And healing up fast!! Love that outfit with the pink shoes! It is still hot as summer here, 90 degrees and I am over it… mainly because I have a lot of double digit training runs right now and it is 70 degrees with lots of humidity even early in the morning! Ahhh!!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thank you, doll. I am doing better everyday but getting more and more impatient everyday, too!! Not a good patient.
We are over the summer weather, too. And I am not running anywhere in it!! And we don’t have the humidity you guys have. But enough already. Hope this week you see perfect fall temps for running.
Hi, Leslie! So sorry your foot has you waylaid, but I’m glad you’re making progress. It’s never fast enough, is it? Your attitude toward it is so good, though. Very impressive! And yes, we don’t really start feeling like fall in these parts until around mid-October. It seems that those further north envy us our earlier warmth in spring, and we envy them for their earlier cool in the fall. 🤪
Thank you for the kind words. I have not had a very positive attitude lately!! Losing steam. Especially by bedtime every night. Will return to the doctor on Wednesday and hoping for a good visit. Still 100* here. I’m am ready for fall!
So many cute pieces.
Wow – your broken ankle adventure does not sound like fun. Not the kind of transitioning I would be able to handle! But I appreciate your sense of humor and your adventurous spirit. Good for you finding a way to get outside, up the stairs and even washing your hair! I’m glad the bones are lined up for healing. Now…just heal!!:) Love that you are also making the best of it with those cute girlies! Hoping you heal completely and that it does not take too long! By the way, love your “most me” outfit! Super cute!!
Hi Leslie!
I love the mustard cardigan with the cowboy boots at the pumpkin patch. The kimonos are a lovely piece to transition into the Fall. We are the same with weather here in NC. It will still be high 80s, or 90 in September, and Fall will not arrive until end of Oct/Nov like you have. We have had some Fall-like days where I actually had to put on a jacket. I love it. Oh geez, about your foot! Wearing a boot like that is no fun! I hope you recover soon!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylih.com
You must be counting the days to saying goodbye to that boot! It must be hard to find clothes that are easy to wear and take on and off. You’ll never take for granted being able to easily put on narrow leg jeans again!