LAYERED MAXI"S and MEMORY LANE

I am having a time with letting go ! I love to layer. It's a bit cooler now which may let me get in some of my favorite Spring Jackets / Coats / Sweaters before the window of opportunity closes. If you live in the mid-west as in Cincinnati , you know how it goes : Cold , Cold , Cold , Warm , Cold , Cold , HOT !

I saw the cutest maxi - layer look and am trying to copy it. I'm still on the quest for the right lengths to create better symmetry. This was my first notion. I bought 2 thin cotton wrap maxi skirts at Penny's a couple years back. I always buy 2 of things I like in neutral colors , and since they were under 5 bucks on Clx., and the job I had at the time had mandatory colors we had to wear ( black, tan, and a white top ). I probably have every style of black skirt made. I am finally wearing them again without harsh memories. I HATE dress codes !

My inspiration : Crystal Wood !

http://www.weardrobe.com/pictures/224511-the-art-of-layering

Thanks Crystal. She has an amazing style, and can put a hurting on a Maxi !

I added a thrited silk / rayon skirt from The Limited , ( I find so many of these ! Yah! )

I chose a wide belt for balance.

( TIP : to wear your big belts as cinching belts , use a thin hair elastic , slide it onto the belt and it will hold the excess length down without noticing it , if the belt is too wide to tuck under itself ! )

My short brown suede boots w /out sox got another wear.

I didn't over-do accessories, but wore a big cut-out sea shell chocker , to go with the shiny belt.

The shiny , inside part of a shell  -

Is this called "abalone ?"  My hubs says no , I say yes.

Plus of course , a hat ! I love hats, though my Mom keeps telling me they will make me bald.

Speaking of which , Naduah lost in the first round of ANTM ! She was my predicted winner.

Then, my second choice was booted off last night! I give up !

My love of hats DID NOT start in High School !

We were called " THE MARCHING BLOODY Q-TIPS" !

I quickly joined the Drum Corp. !

Unfortunately the Xylophone weighed a ton , and our school was too cheap to buy wheels.

It was strapped to my back like a pack mule !

Ah , memory lane ! Here I'm sporting the "preppy" look that was in during the early 80's.

Khaki's , Izod button - down shirt and Loafers with no socks !

Holy Crap ! will ya check out the girls ?

Duct Tape, please !

BIG GIRLS STILL WEAR BOWS!

My Bow wrap.

Bow to the Left!

Bow to the right!

"Blowse"-up !

I
PLAYED
OFF
THE BLUES IN
THE 
BLOUSE AND
TIGHTS.

not flowy-bowy!

MY INSPIRATIONS:

Bows on dresses.

Bows on Bags.

Pins.Bows on Sweaters.

Cardi Bows!

Rings.      

Embellished florals with Bows.

Bows on toes!

One more!

I TOOK OFF ON MANY TRENDS THAT I'M SEEING AND LIKING RIGHT NOW--THE COLORED TIGHTS--THE WHITE SKIRTS AND DRESSES BEING WINTERIZED--MIXING PATTERNS-(MY BLOUSE HAS A SMALL BLUE STRIPE)--AND THE DOUBLE STRAPPED MARY JANES. BUT THIS ONE IS ALL ABOUT THE BOW!

While down with a flu-bug, I took 2 strips of printed floral cotton (thanks mom!) and stitched them together-though you could skip the stitching, but i wanted this one to look finished. i can wear it as a belt over tops, a belt with jeans or a neck tie. Cost: free! A TIP: many fabric stores have left-over small pieces of fabrics for pennies!

(I ALSO HAVE A NAVY BOW HEADBAND ON,-cost-$1.50-Walgreens- BUT GOT LOST IN THE PHOTOS-and simple pearl drop earrings)

Big girls CAN still wear Bows!