Are you looking for some spring inspiration? Or would you like to win some gorgeous fashionista beads?
Then read on …
As winter draws to a close in Western Australia my thoughts are turning towards the rainbow colours reflected in spring showers, and away from the muddy browns and black which all too often signify winter for me.
I love the colour jade, and there seems to be lots of it around this spring. I was in W.Lane the other day and found the blouse and accessories below, and the kind peeps at W.Lane offered me some beads to giveaway to one of Lifestyle Fifties lovely readers.
Yes, you still have to read on …
A jade top I’m wearing a lot this spring is one I bought in Monsoon in England. It hides a lot of trouble spots. I like wearing it with navy blue jeggings and boots. The beads were bought for me in Bali by my sweet daughter.
But before we move onto those giveaway beads, and still on the subject of spring style Ilse Justus from Va Va Voom Image wrote a comment on a previous post in Lifestyle Fifty and said:
“Ladies, a wardrobe staple that I forgot to mention for between seasons, i.e. going from winter to spring and spring to summer, is the stone colored/off-white trench coat which works well with summer dresses and heals for a glam look, or with jeans/trousers!”
Lo and behold it’s available right now, and I found this one in W. Lane, a store which caters beautifully for our age demographic. The coat has the benefit of a cinch waist effect if you’d like a bit more shape.
And yes, those are the beads you could win. But here’s a close up pic of the versatile chunky nugget necklace that’s made from resin and metal.
What do you have to do to win it?
Well, the competition is open world wide, and the beads will be sent to the lucky winner via snail mail. Sorry, not even Facebook has devised a way of tele-transporting them.
To be in with a chance you need to:
- Comment below on this post, about why you’d like to win the beads and what you’ll wear them with.
- Pop over to Lifestyle Fifty on Facebook and ‘Like” the page.
- Send a nice thank you letter to W. Lane (only joking!)
Spring style in turqoise
I’m looking for something a bit different to wear to a blogging conference in Surfer’s Paradise soon (If you’d like to get audio access to ALL the panels and teaching sessions, pop over to the sidebar on the right hand side, and you’ll find a link where you can buy a “Virtual Ticket”.
While looking for something to wear without winter boots I came across a look below that is really workable in a fresh, bright colour.
I think it’s a spring look that image and style consultant Ilse might just give the nod to. (Ilse guest-blogged last week about wardrobe and style tips for women over 45 ) and she knows a lot more about style than me.
But the look below is definitely something that I’d put together especially if any of my nearest and dearest feel inclined to give me a shopping voucher – hint!)
Don’t you think that the balance of the bootleg jeans with the slight flair, the longer cardigan, and the colour match throughout is perfectly balanced?
Picture Credit: Ashley Dang on We Heart It
Breaking it down
- The colour is fresh and spring like.
- The t-shirt has slightly longer sleeves to hide those bat wings that may have developed on our arms.
- The cardigan will hide any manner of sins, especially those pertaining to our bottoms 🙂
- And the handbag looks big enough to carry all necessary paraphernalia including an iPad.
- The silver accessories also look really great with the turqoise, don’t you think?
- The sneakers are stylish but comfortable to walk in (a must for me these days)
- And yes, I’d also go for a takeaway coffee too – not sure about Starbucks though!
Over to you
Do you think you’d wear something like this? Send me a picture of you in your favourite spring outfit (small file size please) and I’ll post it on Lifestyle Fifty.
And don’t forget to enter the competition to win those beads. The winner will be judged on merit.
Here’s what you have to do… before 5th September 2013 at 5pm.
- Comment below on this post, about why you’d like to win the beads and what you’ll wear them with.
- Pop over to Lifestyle Fifty on Facebook and ‘Like” the page.
Good luck everyone!
Super Wardrobe and Style Tips for Women Over 45
Wanda
September 9, 2013 at 10:32 amSeptember 5 has slipped away;
I really fear I’ve missed the day;
That chunky neck will not be mine;
But I will dream of another time.
Johanna
September 9, 2013 at 12:27 pmAhh Wanda, and for such a sparky poem I’m sure you would have been in with a chance 🙂 Sadly the competition did close on the 5th and the winner will be announced shortly.
budget jan
August 30, 2013 at 7:05 amI would like to wear (and win them) because orange is one of my favourite colours. I have a multi-coloured 3/4 length skirt which once was bright. Some (like my husband) might say too bright, but it has acquired a mellow tone now. Hmm am I talking about myself or my skirt??? Anyway I try to team it with a plain coloured blouse – one of the many colours lurking in the skirt, and then top it off with some daring beads. Perfecto!
Johanna
August 30, 2013 at 8:40 amSounds like a really interesting and well thought out look Jan. I like the fact that your skirt has mellowed with you :)! Good luck in the giveaway 🙂
Pam
August 29, 2013 at 9:47 pmI must admit I struggle with styling at this age – I still like the modern look but know that I can’t always pull it off. I tend to go with black tops and an assortment of trousers – jeans, cargo pant, classic black. The beads would go great with my black boat neck, three quarter sleeve top from Portmans.
I love the whole jade 7 white outfit you’ve featured – any hints on where I can get that long cardigan.
P.S. I’m heading over to your Facebook page right now 🙂
Johanna
August 30, 2013 at 8:44 amI think we have a little wobble about what to wear when we reach a ‘certain age’, Pam. And to tell you the truth I don’t think there are many stores catering to older women who still want to look fashionable, but have over the years realised that comfort is important too. Sounds like you have got a reliable staple ‘look’ going, but let’s hope Lifestyle Fifty can bring you some new ideas as we go along. I’m going to seek out that long jade cardigan and where to get it. Good luck in the giveaway 🙂
Ilse Justus
August 29, 2013 at 4:08 pmHi Jo
This is all so awesome! I love the style and colour of the jade top – it looks fantastic on you!
Regarding the stone-coloured jacket: it will work very well with jeans – open or cinched in the waist. Personally I wouldn’t wear it with a spring/summer dress because it could add bulk as the texture looks quite thick – or is the picture deceiving? I think one would get more mileage from a lighter weight stone-coloured trench with buttons in the same shade as the trench as this keeps the overall look softer. That’s just my opinion.
Regarding your turquoise outfit with accessories, it is absolutely fabulous and you are right, the cuts of the various garments are very forgiving and flattering 🙂 one could also play around by replacing the white top with other cooler colours too like lemon, candy pink, soft lavender or off-white if true white is too harsh for your skin-tone.
The silver/white gold jewellery is spot on since it blends with the overall cool tones of the outfit. I love the outfit and would wear it – often!
I like the beads that can be won but unfortunately it wouldn’t match anything in my wardrobe since I am a “Summer” so I only wear cool tones as opposed to warm. Pity!!
I look forward to reading the entries for the competition!
Ilse Justus
August 29, 2013 at 4:10 pmJust to clarify: when I refer to the “more mileage” from the trench I am implying that it will work for both dresses and jeans. 🙂
Johanna
August 29, 2013 at 4:18 pmYes, I kind of thought you meant that, but thanks for clarifying. I think it would be too bulky with a spring dress now I look at it more.
Johanna
August 29, 2013 at 4:17 pmThank you Ilse! I do love it. That’s awesome advice about the trench coat – no it is quite thick – not a Mac type, but with a bit of warm lining for the end of winter days. I think you’re right about going for a lighter weight trench with buttons the same shade; I hadn’t thought about that detail.
I love your advice about the turqoise outfit and how best to replace the top, and add accessories. True white is not good on me (and it makes my teeth look more yellow than they really are:) ) Ohh, I’m sad the beads aren’t in your colour – hope I can offer a giveaway again soon that is in your Summer colours 🙂 Thanks for your wonderful comments and advice. Er, you wouldn’t like to have a regular once monthly column would you? We need to talk 🙂
Ilse Justus
August 29, 2013 at 4:55 pmHi Jo, I’ve sent you an email – and yes, we can talk 🙂
Johanna
August 29, 2013 at 9:14 pmOoohhh excited! Can’t wait 🙂
Ingrid Rickersey
August 29, 2013 at 3:12 pmThese are my favourite colours and I would love to pop in to WLane (another of my favourite clothing stores) and match up my new beads with a colour coordinate in time for spring!
Johanna
August 29, 2013 at 3:31 pmWow, that’s great Ingrid! I’m glad you like them 🙂
Life Imaages by Jill
August 29, 2013 at 1:49 pmThe colour Jade is perfect for you Jo. I might need to pop back to WLane and buy that jacket!
Johanna
August 29, 2013 at 2:04 pmThanks Jill! I have a little inkling that you might just have to do that!