SUMMER SKIRTS AND DRESSES

Farewell to my beloved Summertime!

Well we have a couple more weeks, but I still can’t help but feel a bit melancholy. 

The warm walks in the sun.  

 

Drinking the “magic” Slurpee to cool down.

 

Wearing cute skirts and dresses.

 

Well, skirt and dress season does not end when Summer says farewell, but I think your legs get so much more enjoyment out of them in the Summer. Tanned legs. Cute little anklets. 

Anyway, even though the end of Summer does not mean the end of cute dresses and skirts (you will see some of these featured items, recycled and accompanied with some boots & tights), it does mark the end of the bare leg season. 

Today I wanted to share a few of my “bare-legged” looks with you as we begin to bid Summer a sweet goodbye.

BLACK & WHITE PRINT SUNDRESS 

 MACY'S

 BLACK AND WHITE STRIPE KNIT SHIRT

RAINBOW

BLACK MAXI SKIRT

STORE UNKNOWN

 

BLACK DRESS

OLD NAVY

PINK MAXI DRESS

MACY'S

 

 PINK & BLACK SUN DRESS

STORE UNKNOWN

BLACK LACE SHIRT

STORE UNKNOWN

BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED MAXI SKIRT

MACY'S

BLACK AND RED ROSE PRINT SKIRT

WALMART

SHORT SLEEVE BLACK TEE SHIRT

STORE UNKNOWN

BLACK STEVE MADDEN FRINGE  BAG

MACY'S

BLACK STEVE MADDEN WEDGE SHOES

STORE UNKNOWN

 BLACK & WHITE POLKA-DOT SKIRT

SHORT SLEEVE BLACK LACE SHIRT

BOTH ITEMS FROM FANTASTIC THRIFT
STEVE MADDEN TAN BAG
ROSS
SILVER SANDLES
STORE UNKNOWN

 

The accessories worn with these outfits will be featured in a future post.

 

FRIDAY FOR THE FELLAS - FEDORAS

My great-grandfather was a big part of my life during my childhood in the 1970’s.  We even had a nickname for each other, Man. Unfortunately, I only have a shadowy memory of his appearance.  I recall this image of a tall, dark man who always wore dress pants, white button down shirt, a zipper front jacket, wingtip dress shoes and a fedora.  The fedora especially stood out for me because I have no memory of him without this hat, whether he was sitting on the front porch, working on a car in the back yard, or driving to the store to buy me some candy. At 5 or 6 years old, I can't imagine that I thought of my great-grandfather as a fashionably dressed man, but I bet this is where I acquired my ideal image of stylishly-casual attire for men.

 

I own a treasured photo of my father holding me as a baby, wearing a fedora. Again, the image is of a tall, dark man.  Again, he has on a button down dress shirt and what appear to be dress pants and some stylish sun shades.  Again, the fedora always catches my eye.  This is how I imagine my father dressing every day, as a young man in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  When my mother would tell me stories of their weekend trips to Washington, DC, I always imagined my father wearing a fedora.

My dad, holding a little Rose.

 

Twenty six years ago, I started dating my husband, Mark, who currently owns a nice collection of fedoras.  Straw.  Pictured below is just a fraction of his stash.

Wool houndstooth fedora with a beautiful red lining.

Mark's newest addition to his fedora family

A Summer favorite

 

Even though Mark  also owns many other types of hats, the fedoras are my favorite.  Whether we are going to church, to a local festival, taking a road trip or going out to eat, these hats can always serve as an appropriate part of his attire.

Attitude is key when wearing this classic head gear!

 

Of course, these three men are not related (my great-grandfather is on my mother’s side of the family), but their fondness for the fedora seem to be one of their common threads.

Celebrities and historic figures such as Martin Luther King, Justin Timberlake, Neo, Frank Sinatra, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp have also successfully donned the fedora. But of course, you don't have to be a celebrity to afford one.  They come in a variety of price ranges and can be purchased at any retail store from WalMart to Marshall's to Macy's.

When purchasing a fedora, stick to the style that fits your personality, because styles may vary.  Some have wide brims, buttons on the band, prints and may come in a variety of patterns and fabrics. Most of the fedoras my husband own possess these common stats:

•  1 1/2 - 1 3/4 inch brim
• Tear drop shaped crown (at the very top)
• 4 -  4 1/2 inch crown
• Fabric band surrounding the base of the crown
• Fabric  lined interior

This hat is a classic symbol of style, but it is defiantly not for the masses.  Only a select few dare to purchase one, wear it and allow it to continue to look classically cool when they place it on their head. 

I encourage fellas to take a small step outside of their fashion circle and at least try a fedora on. Boldly pose in front of the department store mirror donning your potential new purchase. You may fall in love with this classic accessory.

Please use the comment’s section below to let me know about your fedora history.

WEAR IT WEDNESDAY - STEVE MADDEN BLACK FRINGE TOTE

Today’s Wear It Wednesday featured item is my Steve Madden Black Fringe Tote. 

 

 

This bag is not only fun to wear, it’s also practical.  I can load all of my stuff in there and have enough room for some of my family’s stuff too!  Every once in a while, when I sit this bag in the passenger side seat in my car, I hear that helpful beeping sound that warns the passenger to put their seat belt on.  That’s how heavy this bag can get sometimes.

It came with a long, removable shoulder strap, but I removed it and only use the two shorter straps that fit on my shoulder just fine.

 

I love Steve Madden’s line of bags and shoes and why not. They’re affordable, good looking & well made.  Like I said in a previous post, they are the working woman’s splurge.

Let me know what you think about this cute bag in the comment’s section below.

 

SHOESDAY TUESDAY WITH THE SMITHS

Once again, we take a few minutes to celebrate the beautiful shoe.  How can did a functional invention become such splendid works of art?

I decided to share some of my family’s fancy footwear with you.  We are an artistic family, full of color, fun & self-expression and that is indeed reflected on our toes.

                                     Mark, Jessica & Erica are the owners of the cute zapatos.

I also wanted to show you the glittery-gold, 5 inch heel of this beautiful Madden Girl summer peep-toe.  I know it’s a summer shoe, but I had to share it with you on the last snowy Shoesday Tuesday of the month. 

                                                               

TUESDAY SHOESDAY – PEWTER IS THE NEW BLACK?

Some folks believe that fashion is all about trends, but fashion is really about freedom.

When I was a young girl living in the projects in the 1980’s, my aunt used to give me all of her recycled fashion magazines. 

Seventeen. Vogue.  Mademoiselle. Glamour. Cosmopolitan.  

Those magazine editors were probably under the impression that  they were just introducing today’s style to the world, but what they were doing was reiterating the fact that it’s ok to be fashionably-free. 

I used the little money I earned from summer and after school jobs and purchased affordable clothes and shoes that were similar to the ones I saw in those magazines and created a style of my own.  

Yes...I still have this skirt that I purchased somewhere between 1987-1988.

When Vogue said it was the season of the hounds tooth pencil skirt – I strutted, in my skirt, through a sea of tight biker shorts, down the project streets, to the bus stop.

When Glamour said the classic pump was being reintroduced to the masses - I sashayed, in my pumps,  past waves of  red, white and black Air Jordan tennis shoes,  from the bus stop to job interviews.

When Mademoiselle said the blazer was the hottest new addition to any ensemble - I strolled, wearing my blazer,  past mountains of Adidas tracksuits, to those job  interviews that create a path that would lead me out of those housing projects.

Biker shorts, Air Jordan tennis shoes & Adidas tracksuits all played an important role in fashion history, but I had to create my own history.

I enjoyed these magazines for entertainment.

I flipped the pages & gazed over beautiful pieces of clothing.

I purchased reasonable facsimiles of these pieces.

I added my own personal touches to these items.

I embraced individuality in a place where individuality was not always embraced.

Almost thirty years later, I'm still happily dictating my own fashion destiny.

Exhibit #1:  These unusual Pewter booties by Unlisted.

 

                          My creative daughter, Erica's bedroom wall serves as the backdrop.

My wonderful husband, Mark, purchased these cuties as a Christmas gift for me.

He has become very familiar with his wife’s eclectic taste.

Everyone has a fashion history.

Please feel free to share yours in the comment’s section below.

SUNDAY REWIND - FRUIT AND SHOES

After a small hiatus, Ecclectic Bouquet has returned!

I am celebrating by combining Splurgeday Thursday & First Time Friday and a lil' bit of some premature Shoesday Tuesday.

                                              
First of all, take a look at these beautiful Steve Madden “winter wedges” I purchased on my lunch break on Friday. 

 

Here are the stats:

  Black Suede

  5 ½ inch wedge heel

  1 ½ inch platform

  Ankle strap

  Gorgeous!!!

I call the Steve Madden brand the working woman’s splurge.  His items are well made, beautiful and affordable.  I can always find Steve Madden shoes or bags at a reasonable price. 

I love you Christian Louboutin, but I can only peep at your shoes through a store window...unless I want Suzy Orman’s head to pop out of my glove box & yell at me.

On Saturday, I was able to prove that Steve Madden’s shoes are soooooo comfortable.  I went on a two  hour grocery shopping excursion and completed some other shopping duties with these beautiful shoes on.  No pinched toes.  No cramped ankles.  Just happily taking care of business,  comfortably and in style.

 

In my rush to put these shoes on, I placed the buckle in the middle.

It should be on the side.

They are still ridiculous-cute though!

 

Also, I kinda ended my search for a fruit I can enjoy. In my first post, I told everyone about the texture issues I have with almost all fruit.  So for the first time, I tried to eat a mango. 

It was my belief that since I love mango flavored Orbits gum, mango scented lotion, perfumes & candles, maybe I could love the actual fruit.  I cut this unusual looking fruit into cubes, shared the cubes with Mark and Erica, sat down and took a very small bite. 

Good grief!!!  It was too soft and sweet…not crisp enough.

I also tried a pomegranate again. 

 

 

 I like these, but I cannot get over the hard little seed in the middle of each pulp.

 

 

 

I think I’m just going to stick to lemons and organic Granny Smith apples.

Please share your Steve Madden experiences with me in the comment’s section below.  Also, if you are a fruit hating weirdy like me, please also share that story as well!

 

 

TUESDAY SHOESDAY - BOOT-BOOTIES

Long, black stiletto boots are one of the hottest items of clothing any woman can own.   I purchased a pair online last year and fell in love with them…kinda.

These boots come in two pieces…a short bootie and the long leg piece that you can attach to the bootie.  This way you have two pairs of shoes in one.  When I saw the picture online, I was so excited to purchase such a unique item.  When I tried the shoe on, I was a little perplexed.

   What's up with all the cords? 

My husband, Mark is a techie-kinda guy,

so these cords are like snakes on a plane around our house. 

I put on the leg part, then slipped on the bootie…snapped both parts together and sashayed around the house.  This puzzle just didn’t fit together like it should.  I think this is just another creation I’m just not smart enough to enjoy, and I think I’m pretty deft chick.  I’ve worn them to work with a dress, I wore them to an event with some jeans…they looked awesome, but I had to keep adjusting the bootie so that the back part won’t keep peeping out of the long leg part.

Oh well…I still love these cuties, even though I mostly wear them as a short bootie.

Ok…forgive me, but I’m going to back up & run off of the track for a second.  “Deft” is one of my new favorite words. I’m probably using it out of context in the paragraph above, so once again, please forgive me. I was reintroduced to this word as I watched Alex Ebert accept his award  for Best Original Score –Motion Picture on the Golden Globes Sunday night.  Remember his ingenious quote: “Even the most deft pen is a clumsy tool and yet we still try for magic”.  As a lover of the written word, this will be my new motto.

Back to Tuesday Shoesday

 

If you have any suggestions on how to wear these gorgeous boots correctly  or if you have a piece of clothing, household item (like cords & wires), a complex dish you would like to cook, and you feel that you are just not "smart" enough to conquer, please share in the comment’s section below.

                                                                 

FIRST TIME SATURDAY??? YES MA'AM!!!

Today was filled with so many “first times” & “first time in a long times”, it kinda makes up for my lack of first time stuff on First Time Friday.

Here's a list of my first time experiences for today:

   1.    COMMENCED TO IRONING:  In an effort to help Erica prepare for her volunteer participation in Virginia’ new Governor, Terry McAuliffe’s inauguration, I decided to iron her white button-down shirt. This shirt was required as part of her attire for the day’s duties. I have not ironed a piece of clothing since the 1980’s. 

 

 

   2.   MADE AND ATE A BACON, CHEDDAR & MOZZARELLA CHEESE QUESADILLA:  I made this breakfast quesadilla today. It was not that impressive. I think I’ll try sausage in leiu of bacon next time.   

 

 

   3.    PURCHASED SOME NEW (NEW TO ME) DELICIOUS & FANCY, STORE BRAND COOKIES:   CVS has some of the yummiest store brand  cookies.  I purchased three boxes because they were on sale.  Vanilla Bean Coffee:  You can really taste the coffee flavor.  Soft Baked Brownie:  Rich & divine.  Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk:  Very good, but I cannot taste the peanut butter flavor.

 

 

    4.   ATTENDED A GOVERNOR’S INAUGURATION:  Governor Terry McAuliffe was sworn in today as Virginia’s 72^nd Governor & I was able to attend! It was raining for the most part, but this was still such an exciting historic event.  My favorite quote from his inaugural address:  “Common ground doesn’t move toward us, we move toward it.”

 

 

    5.    WITNESSED CEREMONIAL CANNON SALUTE: After Governor McAuliffe was sworn in, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church’s bell rang, the rain subsided and large cannons proceeded to fire – loudly.  It doesn’t take a lot to excite me, and after the initial shock of the loud explosions, I repeatedly told the stranger standing next to me on the bleachers, “This is awesome!”  Unfortunately, I was having phone issues & I was unable to take photos of those incredible cannons.

    6.    SAW FORMER PRESIDENT BILL & HILLARY CLINTON, IN PERSON:  While leaving the governor’s inauguration, Erica and I saw Bill and Hillary Clinton!  They were standing about 10 feet away from us! I let out a very loud “WOOOOOOO” as if I were attending a concert.  Embarrassingly, I was the only spectator to react this way.  Everyone else stood silently and took pictures. One guy yelled, “Hello, Mr. President”, but that was it.  Sadly, as I mentioned before, I could not take a picture because of my ill phone.

    Yeah!!! What an awesome day! Some other fun stuff happened today too, but I will share later.

    If you were at this Inauguration today or if you experienced any of these first time activities, let me know in the comment’s section below.

TUESDAY SHOESDAY





BEAUTIFUL PARIAH^©

By Rose V. Smith

 

My passion for three & a quarter inch platform Stilettos

Does not reflect a desire to tip toe past foes

Who bitterly mutter blatant contempt as I Sashay by…

It simply reflects my desire to Sashay.

 Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, and even my dream shoe Christian Louboutin .  They all make me feel quite gitty inside.  Y’all know the feeling! You step into the shoe store, knowing that you intend to leave with a pair of beautiful , Scarpas, Chaussures, Zapatos…

 

You scan the displays…slip on a few pair…saunter around the store…staring at your feet’s reflection.

 Once you’ve made your decision, you place the box on the counter, watch as the register calculates surprising discounts (“…oh, and you also receive a 30% Spring-Fling discount today”).  At this point I’m usually bouncing on my tip-toes.

When you reach your car, you know you should use good judgment and place your bag in the trunk of your car, but you place the bag in the front seat, so that you can peep into the bag at each red light.

Hmmph!!!  Don’t judge!  My fellow shoe lovers (guys and girls) understand! 

Well, when I purchase this pair of sparkly black Deréon shoes during my lunch break more than a year ago, I experienced the same scenario above.

 

Let me know what you think about these cuties in the comments box below.



SATURDAY ENSEMBLE

It’s Saturday!!!

My Saturdays are usually filled with a slurry of late starts, grocery shopping, oil changes, gas pumping, errand running and so on.  There’s no reason why I should participate in those activities while  looking like a sloth (no offense to sloths though).  So I borrowed some leggings from my daughter, Jessica, put together the accessories pictured below commenced to “running the streets”. 

 
While running the streets today, I purchased these beautiful Revlon eye shadow pots in purple and copper.

 

I wore the copper eye shadow today.

I don’t wear a lot of makeup, but I do love eye shadow.  I’ll share my morning facial routine with you at a later date…it’s very simple and not fancy at all. 

One thing I’m starting to realize about eye shadow is the less expensive eye shadow palates I purchase at beauty supply stores seem have more pop than the name brand eye shadow.  I’ll do a little more research and share my findings with you later.

This is the one of my favorite eye shadow palates that include colors that pop (note the vibrant pink...its almost gone!)

 

Well…after piecing together such cute parts, I was able to construct this elegant but casual whole.

   Brown pin stripe Fedora

   Revlon copper eye shadow

   Maybeline Great Lash mascara

   Black wrap sweater

   “Borrowed” black leggings

   Aerosoles black boots

Let me know how you keep your “casual cool” on Saturdays while doing what you do and let me know what you think about my Saturday ensemble in the comments section below.