Fashionista and fashionable librarians, welcome!
Last week I shared my first library convention fashion find, a paisley tunic in beachy coral and blues. If you missed that post, please hop over here for a quick look.
I found this intricately embroidered top at that same little clothing kiosk as my paisley tunic. Where? In April, at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference in San Antonio. You should have seen the librarians flocking to this mini-boutique. And my sister Valerie and I were knee-deep in the thick of things!
Library Convention Fashion Find #2
I have seen all my fashion idols wearing embroidery this spring. It’s making a reappearance 40 years after I first wore embroidery-embellished pieces during the ’70’s (1970’s) in high school. I even did the embroidery myself back then. Needlework is bedazzling jeans, tops and even shoes this season. Along with the cold-shoulder and off-the-shoulder trend. No one does off-the-shoulder better than my sweet stylish friend Andrea at Living on Cloud Nine. Girl friend has the best shoulders and the best tops for showing them off!
Here’s a look at the embroidery on my top.
Not only does this top have trendy needlework but it also features tassels and bell sleeves. Way to roll some of the season’s hottest looks into one colorful piece. I didn’t realize until I took these photos (ha!) that it also features birds. Lots of flowers but some birds, too. If you know me well, you know I don’t ‘do’ birds, don’t like birds, get the creeps around birds. Not sure what that is about. Probably ought to look into some therapy for that phobia. Might stem from a long ago trip to the zoo and an unfortunate bird poop incident.
But these birds can’t poop so I guess they are ok.
Had planned to break in my new Unisa Gaila sandals from DSW. But then saw my comfy ole black Fionis with the outfit and changed my mind.
Umgee Boutique
Paired my Umgee top with Loft zipped-ankle jeans and some turquoise bracelets. I am new to the Umgee brand. But found them online, have a look here. My sister bought a pair of dazzling geode earrings at the convention which are also available through Umgee.
Kind of feeling a Mexican vibe this week, what with Cinco de Mayo last Friday, and my Septo de Mayo Jalapeño Popper Soup post earlier this week. And May 10 is Mexican Mother’s Day!
You Can Put Lipstick on a Pig But It’s Still a Pig
Wore this outfit to school today. When I went to the bathroom at lunchtime, I felt something tickling my shoulder blades inside my top. For a sec, I thought my school district lanyard and badge had gotten twisted around my neck, down inside my blouse. Then I realized it was the tag!
See it? That round thing over my left shoulder in the pic. Try as I might, I’m just not a fancy lady. I desperately need a dresser – person to dress me everyday. My PC didn’t see my outfit this morning or he surely would have mentioned that tag.
Feeling My Oats
As I was coming into the house after work this afternoon, knowing my Prince hadn’t seen my top before he left this morning, I decided to play a trick on him. I pulled the top down off my shoulders. PC was a bit taken aback. He wasn’t sure the off-the-shoulder look was too appropriate for an elementary substitute librarian.
But I’m thinking this might be kinda cute for date night! What do you think?
Your Turn
Recently a friend of mine told me that our shoulders are one of the last parts of our bodies to show age. But somehow I feel slightly scandalous baring my shoulders! Really silly, I know, because wearing a sleeveless top, my shoulders would be almost as ‘exposed’. So tell me, are you embracing the cold-shoulder and off-the-shoulder trends? Do you think there is an age limit at which shoulders should be kept under wraps? Please let me know your opinion in a comment below.
Apparently Purrsnickitty approved of my library convention fashion find #2 and gave it an enthusiastic two dew-claws up.
Hope you do, too!
Happy hUmP dAy, girls. Hope it’s a good one. Thank you for sharing a bit of you with me. Hope you will also stop by The Blended Blog for the second installment of our new Wednesday style series “Fashion Files”. We are recreating a favorite look from Pinterest or one we have admired on another blogger or friend. Hope to play along with them next style post.
Hugs and kisses,
Mary
Love your new top, Leslie! Looks flattering on you!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sugar foot!! I really liked it better off the shoulder but my PC is not too sure about that look on his 59 year old bride!!
jodie filogomo
:Leslie—this top is magnificent!! You look absolutely terrific, tag or not…ha ha!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Jodie! The tag on the top was actually kind of pretty and fastened with this cute little safety pin. I almost left it on because it was sooo cute! Ha!
Whitney a la mode
I really really love this top! I’ve been looking for something embroidered and this really fits the bill! I like that you can wear it off the shoulders or not. That definitely helps for those of us working in schools 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Isn’t it funny how shoulders seem so sexual in an off the shoulder top. Heck, they are just shoulders!! But I feel almost naked just having them exposed!!
Amy Johnson
What a great post! I laughed about your comment about the birds because that was the first thing I noticed because I LOVE birds. The embroidery is so gorgeous, and so is that top! I want it! You are so lucky to have found that. As for the cold shoulder, I agree. I think it looks great on everyone else, but I feel naked in a cold shoulder top. It’s like I’m half undressed or something. Maybe it’s the old pictures of Bridget Bardot sitting in a bed with her bathrobe sliding off her shoulders. Who knows. All I know, is I don’t feel comfortable wearing them. I’ve opted for shoulder cut outs in the sleeves or straps instead.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I got a good chuckle at your comment. Thank you for making me laugh. I am just beginning to warm up to birds enough to think some owl patterns are ok. But I have a physical reaction…a shudder, and chill up my spine when a bird gets too close. And having birds on my chest is pretty much too close!
Wish this top had the little ties at the shoulder. Somehow that would make me feel less exposed. I do remember those seductive Bardot photos. Maybe that’s what plays in my subconscious when I try the cold shoulder/OTS looks!
curlycraftymom
You look SO adorable with this top off your shoulders, def. a perfect date night look that PC will LLLOOOVEE! 🙂 I didn’t know you had a bird phobia! Ha!! Was laughing over that one!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aww, thank you! Big time bird and gargoyle phobias going on over here. I cringe thinking about how they bother me.
PC was so funny about the off the shoulder look! Of course, he is a Baptist minister’s son! I think that plays into a lot of how he feels about things even now.
beeclaire2014
I REALLY 💜 that top! What a great find–who’d a thunk it? I’m personally much more comfy in the cold shoulder trend than the off the shoulder trend–maybe it’s a teacher thang…😉
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweets. I think we teachers tend to dress more conservatively because we have had to for so long in our classrooms. Although, I worked at one elementary campus where everything was a go. And I am sorry now to say that I took full advantage of the relaxed atmosphere when I got dressed in the morning!
Tamara R
I love, love, love the off the shoulder look as well, and it’s perfect with the white jeans and black platform shoes. You look wonderful!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! Wore the other platform shoes yesterday and I can hardly walk to day – oh, the blisters!!
Deena
You look absolutely stunning in that top
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, my! Thank you so much. I am blushing over here. XO
Carrie
Hey pretty lady! I love this top on you and especially as an off the shoulder look.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Carrie. My daughter just shopped at Loft and said they have dozens of off the shoulder looks. Thinking I might need to add a few more to my closet!
Daenel T.
That top is perfect! I’ve been an Umgee fan for a long time now and I absolutely love their clothing.
LOL at your husband.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
PC is the son of a ‘preacher-man’ and pretty conservative. He truly gasped when I walked in from work with my shoulders exposed! I had to quickly explain that I had just adjusted the top to be off the shoulders in the garage and hadn’t worn it like that all day. Ha! I had never heard of Umgee until the library convention but will be shopping with them online now!
Lana
I love the embroidery on this top, and the tassels are so fun. You look great with it off the shoulder! I love the trend – but have yet to find a strapless bra I like!
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I am in love with the embroidery work of your top.Its fab.Your shoes is awesome too,
Love,
Joanna
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you!
Sarah @ Foxy's Domestic Side
Love that top on you friend! And you have some great shoulders! I haven’t jumped on the off the shoulder trend, but definitely the cold shoulder one!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! I am hoping my shoulders and arms really tone up (and everything else, too – why stop there?) now that we can SWIM!!! Do you swim laps in your pool?
LISA
You look amazing and so stylish in that off the shoulder embroidered blouse.
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
Jill
The embroidery on that top is beautiful! I love that you can wear it on or off the shoulder. You look gorgeous!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Amy Arnold
Such a pretty embroidered top!!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! I need to wear it again. Felt trendy and uncharacteristically put-together that day. Thanks for coming by, sweets!