It’s been too long since we were in Seattle celebrating SSIF and it was there that I wanted to enjoy my first wearing of a Tory Birch sweater and blouse NAS purchase for our Friday-night opening SSIF dinner Angie had arranged at the wonderful restaurant, Tango.

This was the first time I wore these two pieces and I'm recreating it here since I didn't take a photo in Seattle. How lucky was I to share the table with Angie, Greg and all the attendees and then to sit right next to Inge.

Photo 1-4: The navy-checked sweater coat has turn locks on the front and I wore it with a navy and rust silk print blouse, also by Tory Burch, and from NAS, and my Zara rusty-orange skinnies I've had for several seasons now, and still love. I thought these would bring out the colors in the blouse and then I added my Matisse animal-print booties and a leopard belt to give a few stronger orange touches. (I accidentally added the wrong belt in photo #1 and the one I wore is in #3.)

This outfit was fun to wear as I seemed to find my own style legs here. I will also wear this warm sweater coat with dresses or skirts (and I did at Dashielle's terrific party to close out SSIF). The longer length works really well for this. (Sending a special hug and thanks to Rae for helping me find my size in these two items.) Next time I wear it with a dress, skirt or column of color (thinking white), I’ll post a photo.

The weight is substantial enough to be a sweater coat, but not so heavy that it’s cumbersome to wear. I really like the way it feels when wearing.

The next two outfits were dressing tests for me after reading Angie’s post on “Two Simple Steps to Prevent Wardrobe Orphans” here:

http://youlookfab.com/2015/01/.....e-orphans/


Photos 5-15: I recently purchased a Ralph Lauren cashmere camel (or is it toffee?) turtleneck and the color is out of my normal wheelhouse (or is it color wheel?), but I really liked the classic looks and I recalled Angie’s beautiful outfit honoring her late mother in this post:

Angie’s Toffee and Cream:
I wanted to make sure that I could wear this new color in three different outfits as Angie asked:

Can I think of at least three different, complete outfits that combine this item with other items in my wardrobe?

I took on this question with these items and in the process have really enjoyed wearing this turtleneck with cream pants, black leather pants and perhaps, in the future, will wear the Vince Camuto red tube skirt and animal print pencil skirt, too. I changed shoe choices in the latter with Cole-Haan Oxfords, nude ballet flats and Fluevogs.

Photos 16-22: The J. Crew blue-and-white ticktock shirt is a wardrobe favorite and and easy match with my BF jeans and leather jacket (18 & 19). I decided to try it with my newly-dyed Vince Camuto tube skirt, now navy from cobalt blue, and I belted my Aqua navy cardigan with a black patent bow belt from White House/Black Market (16 & 17). The other I paired with J. Brand jeans and J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer and white Cons (20-22).

Photos 23-25: Here I was having fun in the backyard this summer, stirring my cauldron of dark navy dye after I checked out Rit youtube video a few times. It really was an exciting, creative process and I am using the skirt a lot more in this color.


If any of these look better or worse or you have suggestions, I’d love to hear how to make improvements. Thanks! I know there are a lot of photos, so just click quickly.

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