NEWBELLA: Classic Style

I can't remember the exact time I discovered beige ballet flats but I have been a fan ever since.  There is something so polished about ballet flats and while black is the timeless classic, beige seems so much more refined and add the slightly square toes and little bows of these BASTO OL Slip-ons from NEWBELLA and the look is ever so refined. (keep reading for a promo code for Newbella!)

I was wearing these flats when I walked into my daughter's dance studio and the 20 year old teacher remarked to a colleague that, "See this," she waived her hand up and down over my appearance, "this is how I want to look when I get older."

I don't mind being called older, I am over twice her age after all, and if I have to be any kind of example to a younger generation, a fashion role model is an excellent choice.  Really, it was the sweetest sort of compliment to be a goal to which someone aspires.

I had a pair of beige flats years ago and I wore them completely out. Since then I haven't found anything I liked quite as well to replace them until now.  And these flats are so much prettier than the previous pair and I am so glad to have them in my life!  This collaboration with NEWBELLA has been fantastic!

My favorite way to wear these flats is with black trousers, chambray eyelet tunics, red dresses, and this little neon number that I have had the hardest time finding the right shoes for until now.  And now that I have these lovely and comfortable little flats, the possibilities are endless!

Shopping Info: BASTO OL Cute & Sweet Slip-on Mary Janes-$53 from NEWBELLA,  Save 18% off your order with my code BLEU.   Anthropologie dress from Thredup

Born in the Right Era

Being in love with vintage styles and the whole romance of bygone eras isn't unique to me.  There are so many people who feel they were born in the wrong era and long for simpler time.  I get it, and I do wish we could return to styles of the past and perhaps to the kind of self respect of the past that dictated people dress as well as their means would allow when venturing out in public and once there to treat others with civility and cordiality, but the fact is there really is no such thing as a simpler time.

Is life ever simple?  Each generation has its trials and triumphs.  Looking back at all my favorite historical eras, I see there were often horrible wars (the 1800s 1910s, and 1940s)  and conflicts (1950s and 1960s) going on.  And if they weren't fighting their fellow human beings, there was a very serious war against bacteria and viruses so that the threat of ending lives en mass seems to permeate all of history.  It's heavy stuff, and I used to be one of those people who thought she was born in the wrong era until I started reading up on history and realized if I'd been born at any other time I likely wouldn't have survived to adulthood at all.  It's startling and fascinating all at once to consider these things.

I don't really think that I was born in the wrong era anymore, and not just because history is riddled with perils I wouldn't want to endure, but also because I believe that each person is born in exactly the time and place they are meant to be in.  I believe each life has significance and a special purpose and destiny to fulfill.  Not everyone fulfills that destiny though.  When I look around I see a world full of sleepers, just shuffling their way through in a distracted daze, not living with purpose, not giving back or giving forward, and that is the greatest tragedy of human life--not living it.

Do you feel it?  Do you wish there were more?  More to your life, more to the world?  Wake up, sleeper!  Rise up out of distractions and numbness.  Your life matters!  If you want to change the world, the best place to start is by changing yourself.  Get your own life and your own heart in order.  If you don't know what you're here for, the place to start is by being kind to others and expecting nothing in return.

Don't do something nice because you think it makes you better than others and don't do something nice to get someone else to like you--that's still all about you!  The world has enough selfish, cruel, violent people in it; we don't need another face in an angry crowd.  Stand out!  Be different!  Be Kind.  Love others more than you love yourself.  How do you do that?  Small steps.  Open a door for someone, help an elderly person carry their groceries,  give a smile and a good morning to each person in the office or each customer as they enter the shop, reach out to someone you haven't spoken to and settle those old arguments with forgiveness.  Stand up for what is right, stand alongside someone who's been brave enough to stand up first, when everyone else wants to look away and ignore it because they don't want the hassle.  Practice kindness and selflessness.  Pour your life out for others.  You will see your life grow in ways you never thought possible and you will step into your purpose right here and now, because this is the time you were always meant for.

Shopping Info: Dress by RockSteady from ThredUp, Natuloth Dangle Fresh Water Pearl Earrings 18K Gold Plated, Ivanka Trump Heels from Thredup, Bag from: SHEIN

Gray Styles Are Gonna Cheer Up

I think we focus too much on color sometimes.  When really, it's all about the cut and those little details that make even a neutral color into a standout outfit.

Outfit Info: Dress from Vero Viva on Amazon.com, Jacket and heels are old

Oh Tracey!

    Ever notice how styles seem to come in pairs and one is the social butterfly while the

other is a wall flower?  The one you choose depends on your own personality...that is if you have to choose.  If it's all possible it's better to just get both and have some options.  

    When I was browsing ThredUp a while ago I found this lovely understated plaid skirt from Plenty by Tracy Reese.  When I did a quick search to see if reviews existed, the only pic I saw was of this style in a much brighter print.  

    It was easy to see which variety had been the belle of the ball, but this skirt had so much potential I decided to see if I could add some polish to this hidden gem.

    With a scalloped Peter Pan top and a warm lilac cardi to bring out the subtle purple in the plaid, this skirt is a knockout piece.  Although....I have to admit that just yesterday I did manage to find the other sister on ThredUp and...well...it's on the way to my Stateside house.  No less love for this skirt, but as I said before, I think it's better to have options especially in a style that you love.

  

Shop Look:

Everything but the shoes came from ThredUp, my favorite online thrift shop.  If you've never tried ThredUP, <-- use this link to save $20 off your first order.

Shoes are from ModCloth.  If you're new to ModCloth, <--use this link to save $15 off your order.