Monday 22 July 2024

Crafty Crochet




The crochet trend is going strong this summer season. It's everywhere, dresses, skirts, two piece sets, cardigans and tops galore.  You can choose from classic, to boho, to your favorite grandmothers patchwork blanket.   I really wanted to find a crochet dress for the summer but after trying many I kind of gave up for a couple of reasons, #1 the bodycon dress is just not super flattering on me, and #2 I couldn't wear a see through dress to work, LOL.  Anyway, I continued my search and this little top was in a hand me down pile of clothing from my sister and I immediately fell in love with it.  Its a classic white crochet style and I had the perfect nude tank to go underneath it when I am out an about doing errands and it also looks super cute over a bathing suit or bikini top.  Anyway it's been a favorite this summer and on repeat  with denim shorts but I am kind of thinking I wonder what it might look like over top of a dress?  Hmmm.  







Have you tried the crochet trend yet?

Wednesday 17 July 2024

Ageless Style: White & Brights



Welcome to another installment of Ageless Style, where women of different ages, stages, shapes and sizes  share their styles.  I love this group of women because they are not only showcasing feeling good at any stage of life,  but also supporting and encouraging others to do the same.  Today the prompt is White & Brights!

I love a good denim skirt in the summer, but I especially like this denim skirt that got an update just by swapping out the blue denim color we are used to with a stark white. I spend most of my time in the summer in the exact same uniform, denim shorts and tank, or in a bathing suit.  So slipping on a white little skirt gives my summer uniform an update while still feeling casual and comfortable.  I choose to pack this skirt on our trip to Mexico this past spring because I knew it would get tons of wear during the day, it's perfect to slip over a bathing suit, but it could also easily be dressed up for dinner in the evening.  


This fun and bold, palm tree, off the shoulder top was gifted to me by my sister and I immediately knew that it would pair well with the denim skirt for our beach vacay.  They are a perfect contrast to one another and I loved how this outfit came together for dinner;  causal, sexy, and perfectly summery.  

If you are in search of how to update your summer wardrobe, a white denim skirt is a perfect example.  It won't really ever go out of style, and it's so easy to add color, pattern and styles to it from what you already own in your closet!

How would you style a white denim skirt?

My day uniform.

 

Date night ready!



 

Check out the other ladies and link-up your own favorite posts!



Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

Blog


Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | 
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Blog /Instagram
Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

 


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Sunday 7 July 2024

Beach Living & My 2024 Bikini




What do you take to the beach?  What are your essentials?  For me, it's a good book, beach towel, beach chair, shades, sunscreen, water bottle and a bikini I feel good in.  Each year I buy myself a new bikini.  Not because I like shopping for a bikini, because I DON'T, but I like to have a variation to choose from and over time they fade or don't fit like they used to.  This year I especially noticed that when I was shopping for a swimsuit for our winter Mexico trip.  As I get into my 40s, just celebrated my 42nd birthday, I've noticed that my body is changing.  This winter I found myself really considering not getting a bikini.  Each time I put it on, I had to talk myself through my own negative thoughts.  Things like, "a beach body is a body at the beach", "change is unavoidable and you are still strong and beautiful", "your body does amazing things everyday", "growing older is a privilege", etc.  

Yes, my body is changing and no I am not always comfortable or confident, but I can overcome these things and I can strive to appreciate my body at every stage.  So, I tried on bathing suits and landed on this one that I feel comfortable and confident in from Cupshe.  I felt  great  in Mexico and am wearing it nonstop at the beach this summer, including while playing on the beach and in the water!

High waisted - must

Good stretch - making it perfect for playing on the beach, pool, watersports or sun bathing

Good coverage/support - check

Bum coverage - pretty close to full 

Love the white color & and colorful details - super cute 

For the record, I choose to get a size M and although I think I could have pulled off the small, this is a pretty good fit.  I do find their bathing suits usually run a bit bigger and some of the other ones I tried were way too big, but I knew I could make this one work for me.  

Unfortunately my style of suit is all sold out but they have it in pink  which I considered initially and it's on sale!





Your turn!  Are you a beach/pool goer?  What's a must for the day at the beach/pool?

Wednesday 3 July 2024

I'm Back! Life Lately

Friends I am finally back after a two month break!  Yep, I decided to step away in May until the end of school and boy am I glad I did.  Life was just FULL and I decided to step away from the blog and mostly social media in order to manage life/stress and ALL THE GOOD.  Let's do a quick check in with what's been going on!


School's Out for Summer!  June 27th was the official last day for the kids and June 28th was my list day.  In the fall Anya will be in Grade 9 (high school), Halie will be in Grade 12 (last year of high school) and I will be entering my 18th year of teaching at full-time Vice-Principal in the same school.  



Anya's Celebrations: Anya wrapped up her dance season with a final showcase, did another spring of baseball, was cast as Dodger in Oliver Twist and was FANTASTIC.  Also, she celebrated her last year of elementary school surrounded by her friends, family and teachers.  Oh and landed her first parttime job at the lake!  What a busy young lady.




Halie continues to love her horseback riding and has already had three shows and has plans to keep going this year.  She also applied and received a horseback riding scholarship.  Halie continues to work in the city part-time, and is hoping to work in a vet clinic this summer to explore that as a career option (fingers crossed).





Photography has been AMAZING this spring.  Families, maternity, grads, young love, etc.  Unfortunately I've had to say no to a couple of people because I knew I just couldn't keep up.  Please feel free to follow my FB page or IG account.




Friends.  It's been so busy that we haven't had a lot of one -on -one time with our friends.  But we were lucky to gather some of our favorite people for a BBQ, games and fire in June.  So good for the soul.  Always invest in those friendships, that's all I know.




Trying something new.  My teen daughter talked me into lash extensions.  I was so worried that I would have a reaction, sensitive eyes, and a little worried that I would end up loving them.  GUESS WHAT?!?  I love them.  Sigh, another possible monthly bill.




Loving these lip stains for summer.  They are on sale right now for $6, regularly $20!!!!  Soft Coral & Fearless Fuchsia.  



Reading...Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, the prequal to the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Honestly I have just picked it up again, after the busy spring season.  I did however listen to People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry which w2as cure and a perfect BEACH read.  


Wearing in June!








Next week, I'll be sharing my new favorite bikini that I feel comfortable and confident wearing on the beach this summer as my body continues to change and approaches 42.  See you on Monday!



Monday 6 May 2024

Currently: Busy Life Edition



Hi everyone.  Thanks for stopping by.  Today I am just updating you on my life.  It's BUSY, with all the right things, but I've decided that I can't keep up.  So I'll be taking a blogging break for May and June.  I'll be back in July when I am on summer vacay.  I'll be on IG whenever I can, but I've pulled back from that as well in order to make room for my girls, my training, busy spring season at work and my photography business.  Now let's dive in!


Currently FAMILY: The girls are so busy this spring and I am here to update you on their life.  Anya (14) has a big spring in store this year.  She is wrapping up her dance season at the end of May and is starting up baseball.  She will also be leaving elementary school at the end of June, which means she will have a grade 8 farewell.  Halie (17) is busy living her best teenage life, working and gearing up for another riding show season starting this upcoming weekend.  Needless to say the girls are busy and Logan and I are enjoying seeing them doing the things they love.  Logan is playing ball hockey twice a week and I am still loving my job, starting to train for some things I hope to do over the spring/summer, and my photography is really busy in May and June with graduations, mini sessions, etc.  So it's just busy all around until end of June.








Currently READING:  I just finished Hang the Moon by Janette Wells.  I give it a solid ⭐⭐⭐ 1/2.  It's a story of a young lady who inherits her fathers business, as well as his title during the prohibition era. It follows her not only coming of age, but managing her title in a time were women were just beginning to be acknowledged and to hold some position of power.  The book moves quickly, is entertaining, sweet and the main character is easy to love.  Although the story is downright unbelievable at times, it's a great and entertaining read nonetheless.  




Currently EATING:  I've decided to go back to a gluten free diet after years of being on gluten.  I've been suffering from weekly bouts of stomach pain that lays me up and leaves me feeling depleted.  This has happened before and at the time I was misdiagnosed with Celiac disease.  Although a year later I discovered that I was not Celiac, I did spend a ear symptom free.  Anyway, I am back to GF and feeling good so I am thrilled about that.  If you have favorite recipes or items that I should buy feel free to leave suggestions in the comments.




Current PARTY TRICK: Logan and I still love to be completely ridiculous at times.  When my daughter was trying a trick with her friend, I immediately felt the need to show her that we could still accomplish this just as good at our ripe age of 41 & 42.  We are still working on perfecting it but it's safe to say we have a new party trick.  LOL!




Currently WATCHING: A Million Little Things.  This is the best show I've seen in a LONG time.  We are now on season three and each has been as good as the previous.  The show revolves around 4 men that are close friends and then their families that feed into a larger friend group.  It's a lovely show that draws you into the story lines, the characters, and keeps you rooting for them all in different ways.  

Currently WEARING: Since the weather is all over the place, from snow last week, endless rain this week, and some really warm days, I have everything in my closet.  Some days its sweaters and boots, other days its a trench coat and an umbrella,  while others its bare legs and sandals.  We are all over the place over here.








That's a wrap for me.  I hope you are all doing well and I hope you'll be back with me in July, until stay well and follow along on IG.

💖Bo



Wednesday 17 April 2024

Ageless Style: Styling Stripes for Spring 2024



Welcome to another installment of Ageless Style, where you will find ladies from across North America, of different ages, styles and backgrounds coming together to share our style with you.  This months prompt, styling stripes for spring 2024, is brought to you by Joanne from My Slice of Life.  

I have been loving my button down white shirt for a couple of seasons so I already had my eye on the same style but wanted to add subtle stripes to it.  I love a good traditional stripped tee and always have one in my closet, but since I work in a business casual environment a button down goes a long way.  When I am looking for a button down, I want light weight, loose, flowy structure. I remember when button downs were super stiff and stuffy.  No thank you!  Anyway, I found this one at Marshalls and instantly loved that it wasn't a blue and white version (nothing wrong with that!) as I really wanted a subtle sage or buttery yellow one.  I've already worn this several times and I think it'll continue to be in heavy rotation all year round.  For todays post, I wanted to show you four ways I'll be wearing to work, for causal days and even into summer.


Office Style:  Olive Pants, Button Down, White Purse & Nude Pumps

These wide leg trousers are amazing you guys!  They are the perfect weight, don't wrinkle easily and I purchased them in petite and they are the perfect length for me, I am 5'4" for reference, wearing a size small.  Awesome price point too!






Casual: Denim skirt, Button Down & White Sneakers





Classic:  White Pants, Button Down, Red Lipstick and Funky Heels

These pumps are so fun!  Yes they are big but I got these little gel inserts that ensure my foot doesn't slip up/down as well as they add comfort.  I love the funky design and although I don't wear them everyday, I love to spruce up an outfit for a day of meetings or when I am going out!







Summer Style:  Denim Shorts, White bodysuit, Button Down & Sunnies




Your turn!  How would you style a button-down stripped shirt?  Which look is your favorite?

Remember to check out all the other ladies and their blogs, and make sure to link-up your own blog so we can grow our community.  Thanks for stopping by.  



Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

Blog


Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style
Blog | Instagram | Facebook | 
Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits
Blog | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook |
Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle
Blog /Instagram
Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

Rosemary ~ Distinctly Southern Style
Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom


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Click here to enter