Hey Girls! This is the last Wednesday linkup for the fall challenge. That was fast, huh? I kind of drifted off challenge a few days since last Wednesday when life and doctors appointments got in the way. But I am keeping pictures from all of the challenge outfits that Alison sends us and I can revisit them now that life seems to be back to normal. I am so thankful that my neck seems to be on the mend. My discomfort must have been largely from the wreck but without permanent damage because the neurosurgeon has released me to return to normal activities. Thank You, God. My thyroid biopsies came back benign, again thank God, and the endocronologist will just keep monitoring the masses. Next appointment in six months.
OK, back to this week’s OOTD.
Day 11 called for us to wear a puffer vest, long-sleeved flannel shirt and full-length boots but we have had temperatures in the mid to upper 80s. I have all of the pieces but it will be more appropriate for El Paso winter rather than for fall. I had to go to get the results of my biopsies so I just wore a Dress Barn paisley blouse with some new Loft brown jeans, upper right corner. Day 12 was a V-neck sweater and long-sleeved tee with jeans. I was off to the neurosurgeon that Friday and this was a comfortable outfit for that appointment. Full length photo on the left. And after my appointment, I ran into Target to look for (and buy) a tunic to wear with the black leggings on the shopping list. Dressing room picture on the bottom right.
Day 13‘s official outfit was another puffer vest, long-sleeved shirt combo. Postponed it for cooler weather. It was a gorgeous, warm, breezy day on Sunday, Day 14 so Paul and I hiked up McKelligon Canyon. Beautiful. Wore my first (and only) pair of Nikes, old shorts and old green Under Armor stay-dry tee and a plastic clip in y hair.
Day 15, embellished sweatshirt and gray jeans. Was still waiting on my gray jeans to come from the Loft. This old lady thought she ordered them about three weeks ago and waited to get notice that they had shipped, and nothing came. Finally went to Loft.com and there were my gray jeans in my shopping cart. Hmmm. ORDERED THEM and they have now arrived but not in time for Day 15.
I wound up wearing the official Day 14 outfit instead. Not my Day 14 (shorts and tennies) but the striped, long-sleeved tee, olive military jacket, dark wash jeans. Really liked this outfit. Wore the jacket but peeled it off while teaching art for Young Rembrandts.
Yesterday was Day 16. Are you confused yet? I am! I did my own thing…outfit-wise. I got started on my fall cleaning in yoga pants and an old tee but changed right before Paul got home. Put on a drape-y gray sweater from Jane.com with a Dress Barn purple cami underneath. Light wash, zipped ankle jeans from Loft and old purple oxford-y heels. My rhinestone necklace was a $5.00 find from Charming Charlie’s. I would not have bought this sweater or these jeans BC=Before Challenge. Paul got home in time to take my picture and just kept snapping more and more pics as I crept closer and closer to him until I could snatch the camera away.
So today is Day 17. Bright, boyfriend cardi, long-sleeved tee, leopard scarf, leggings or black jeans, neutral flats. It was chilly this morning with temps in the 40s so I had hopes of being able to comfortably wear today’s outfit. I worked all morning cleaning my frig and oven, inside and out and even had Paul scoot them away from the way so I could clean behind them. When it was time to get ready for my art class, I was scrambling with very little time to shower and dress. I was so glad to know what I was going to wear! Saves all kinds of hassle.
Jumped in my new Loft gray jeans – THEY ARRIVED – white long sleeved tee from Old Navy, burnt orange (persimmon, Lauren) cardi, wrapped some leopard around my neck and slid into my goldy ballet flats. I felt like the girl in the Vaseline spray-on lotion commercial. The one who just effortlessly pulls on her clothes over her Vaseline silky-smoothed skin. You can watch the video here. I wasn’t THAT effortlessly dressed today but the outfit came together pretty darn quick. And I only had time to take one photo…well, one pose. Here it is.
Only four more days of the fall challenge. I need to try on some of the outfits I skipped over because our weather always turns chilly on Halloween and I am sure I will feel more like wearing puffer vests and riding boots then.
In my devotional yesterday, I was directed to read Colossians 3:12-14, and it couldn’t have been a more timely message. I get all wrapped around the hub about how I look on the outside but I need to concentrate at least that much effort on the inside. I need to always remember to wear love.
From The Message by Eugene H. Peterson
: “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”
: “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”Be sure to visit the blogs of some of my fashionista friends through the linkup below. They are some pretty amazing gals.
And snappy dressers, I might add.
it’s interesting you chose that quote because you are one of the most kind people I’ve met in the style challenges. You always use your thoughtful words to lift up others and I know those words have a profound impact on people, especially me. so thank you, for participating and for being so sweet and thoughtful.
OH MY GOSH! What a sweet compliment. I am so glad we have come to be friends through these challenges. I feel very close to you and it is easy to say kind things to someone I admire like you. Thank you so much for reading my blog and being my bud! XO
Love love the last outfit friend! You look so pretty!
Hey, sugar foot! Thank you for that sweet compliment. Some of the outfits felt just like me and others not so much. Still working up my courage to wear my leggings. You wear them, don’t you? What is your favorite thing to wear on top when you wear them? Love you, dear friend.
Shauncey! She is all the things you said and more!
And that is just one reason, out of many, that I love you, Sharon. You are so supportive. You are my Sharon for a lifetime. XOXOXOXO
I’m so glad all of your appointments ended up with good outcomes, Leslie! You looked cute throughout it all, on or off challenge! I also see you’re a fellow Weight Watcher! How did I not know this?
Hey, Mary! Yup, I am a fellow Weight Watcher. I met my lifetime goal in 2010 and have put on about 5 pounds since that I am really hoping to get rid of this winter. Brennyn and I are going to try to do WW online together. I get started tracking and then fall off the band wagon. Do you track? How long have you been doing WW? Maybe we can cheer one another on.
Thank you for your concern about my appointments and the Ebola scare with Brennyn’s job at Texas Presbyterian. I think we are finally looking at brighter days. I appreciate your friendship, Mary! XO
Beautiful quote at the end…very uplifting! I”m glad to have met you through this challenge!!
I am glad I met you, Deena! I have always been kind of spiritual but the older I get, the more I realize it is hard to do this old life on your own without the strength and guidance of a higher power, walking beside you. The verse I used was not so coincidentally part of my devotional and I know it was there on that day to remind me of what is the most important element of my daily wardrobe. Big hugs, my new friend! XO
Leslie,
Your writing is just lovely. You have such a talent for blogging. I really loved and took to heart the last quote you included. “Love” – it’s all that really matters.
Also, I loved your comparison to the Vaseline girl! Too funny!
Thank you so much, Karen. I wish I could get dressed with the ease the Vaseline gal does! I have always loved to write and keep saying someday I will finish up one of the children’s books I have started writing but I don’t have the confidence in myself yet. Working on that. Your kind words sure help!