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Goodbye Grey Tipped Blazer
With the official start of summer right around the corner, I have been looking at some of my warm weather clothes to decide whether to keep them or remove them from my closet. I have started my evaluation with my dressier work items [I am currently on a break from working, as discussed here]...not because any of them are too "business-y" to wear outside the office, but because my priorities are different now. I also haven't worn some of them for a couple years, so it makes s
sallyinstpaul
5 days ago


A Fresh Green and White Spring Outfit for SIA: August Macke's Promenade
Marsha at Marsha in the Middle is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the painting "Promenade" by early 20th century German Expressionist painter August Macke. She chose this artwork because she had heard of Expressionism but didn't know anything about it, and her search turned up this painting that she found delightful. source: https://marshainthemiddle.com/ The bright greens of the trees appealed to me, so I pulled out my thrifted Eloq
sallyinstpaul
May 20


A Black and White Summer Print Mix Outfit with the Thrifty Six: Hemlines
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is my choice of Hemlines...I thought that the Necklines
sallyinstpaul
May 18


Styling a Celestial Jewelry Set for SIA: Joseph Fratrel's Allegory of Astronomy
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the painting "Allegory of Astronomy" by 18th century French artist Joseph Fratrel. She chose this artwork because she was in the mood for a more classical piece after our recent modern artworks, and her love of anything astronomical/celestial plus Star Wars Day on May 4 ("May the Fourth be with you") made it the perfect option. source: https://14shadesofgrey.wordpress.co
sallyinstpaul
May 6


Designing Paper Beads and Paper Jewelry for SIA: Paper Sculptures
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the paper artwork portfolio by American artist Karen Hawkins. She chose this artwork because we have had 10 selections in a row that were colorful and she was ready for a more neutral piece. You know that she had me at "paper." Of the artworks shown on the artist's website, I selected this wall hanging from her "book cover + paper collages" section because I liked the
sallyinstpaul
Apr 23


Add an Old Belt to Dress Up a Scarf and More Creative Uses for Belts with the Thrifty Six: Belt It
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Belt It...and right away I was feeling the challenge
sallyinstpaul
Apr 20


Tonal Dressing to Mix Dark and Light Colors in a Spring Outfit for SIA: Allen Street
Marsha at Marsha in the Middle is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the 1905 painting "Allen Street" by American artist George Luks. She chose this artwork because she wanted to find an art movement she had not heard about, and she couldn't resist the fun name Ashcan movement that runs counter to the typical "high brow" vibe. She particularly liked the colors in this painting. source: marshainthemiddle.com Because I am a color lover
sallyinstpaul
Apr 8


How to Wear Bright Blue Pants with 30 Wears: Cerulean Blue Jeans
Seeing Mica's recent 30 wears post for her olive tank top reminded me that it's been a while since I've done a 30 wears post, so today I am featuring a pair of cerulean blue ankle jeans that I bought at Lands End. This was an odd purchase for me because I bought them in a Lands End store! I had some returns to make for an online purchase, and while I was at the store, I decided to take the opportunity to try some things on. The vivid blue color of these jeans were just so
sallyinstpaul
Mar 30


A Cool Weather Spring Outfit for SIA: Whirlpool Frog
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the 1994 textile wall sculpture "Whirlpool Frog" by Australian artist Annemieke Mein. She chose this artwork because it's still March (celebrating International Women's Month), she loves textile art, and "had to pick it" due to the spring-like image. source: 14shadesofgrey.wordpress.com Weather this March in Minnesota has been especially crazy with temperatures under f
sallyinstpaul
Mar 25


Layering Necklaces with a Cowl Neck Top for the Thrifty Six: Necklines
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Necklines...and I immediately knew I wanted to exper
sallyinstpaul
Mar 16


Combining Bold Colors and Animal Details for SIA Frida Kahlo and Her Pet Deer Granizo
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the 2020 illustration "Frida Kahlo and Her Pet Deer Granizo" from the book Pets and Their Famous Humans by New Zealand artist Katherine Quinn. She chose this artwork to continue Marsha's trend in celebrating International Women's Month, selecting a "female artist's depiction of another female artist." source: marshainthemiddle.com I picked out items for my base outfi
sallyinstpaul
Mar 11


Brown Color Combos: Rust & Green/Teal/Mint
Today I am continuing my brown color combos series...which may surprise you if you think this color is only suited to fall and winter. But the Pantone spring/summer colors for 2026 include a dark, rich brown among its neutrals; coffee bean is "a deeply roasted bold brown with a smoky, chocolatey and nutty appearance." Pantone specifically calls out their neutral selections as "seasonless shades: a range of trans-seasonal neutrals [that] underpin the foundation." While 202
sallyinstpaul
Mar 2


Brown Color Combos: Maroon
Today I am continuing my brown color combos for fall/winter outfits series with maroon, a rich dark red that makes a match made in heaven with earthy brown tones. I have 2 maroon + brown outfit examples to inspire you in ways to wear the season's trendiest color. This combination may strike you as fall forward rather than a choice for the current winter-becoming-spring season, but wearing non-traditional colors during a season feels modern and is a way to show your own perso
sallyinstpaul
Feb 27


Angel in a Puffer Vest for SIA The Sense of Sight
Marsha at Marsha in the Middle is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the 1895 painting "The Sense of Sight" by English artist Annie Louisa Swynnerton. She chose this painter to get a jump on Women's History Month for March, purposely picking a "not so famous female artist." She succeeded there for me because I had not heard of Swynnerton before! source: marshainthemiddle.com For my interpretation, I chose to focus on the clothing worn
sallyinstpaul
Feb 25


Start a Romantic Casual Outfit with a Color for the Thrifty Six
I have been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Romance...perfect for mid-February as many of us cel
sallyinstpaul
Feb 16


Start an Outfit with a Scarf for SIA Edward Burne-Jones
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the circa 1870s painting "The Garden of the Hesperides" by English Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones. She chose this painter because she loves the Pre-Raphaelites, and she picked this particular artwork because of the " spring-like subject matter (the Hesperides are the nymphs who tend to Hera’s orchard, where the Apple of Discord that started the Trojan War cam
sallyinstpaul
Feb 11


Creating a Cozy Stay-at-Home Winter Outfit with the Thrifty Six: Faux Fur
I have recently been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is Faux Fur...and it was a really challenging
sallyinstpaul
Jan 19


Brown Color Combos: Green & White
Today I am continuing my brown color combos for fall/winter outfits series with green and white tones that bring freshness to your cold weather outfits. I have 6 green + white + brown outfit examples to inspire you in ways to wear the season's trendiest color. In this post, I am featuring a thrifted green leopard print scarf from my collection that has been my go-to print piece for combining green and brown. It is lightweight enough that I can wear it year-round (in all but
sallyinstpaul
Jan 16


How to Style Dressy/Office Pants Casually with the Thrifty Six: Vested
I have recently been welcomed into a wonderful group of fashion and lifestyle bloggers that focuses on styling preloved clothing and accessories in themed monthly posts (third Monday of the month). I hope that this showcase of secondhand items and outfits provides some shopping and style inspiration for anyone who is interested in creating great looks in a way that is sustainable for our planet and our pocketbooks. Today's topic is my selection of Vested...because I find Dec
sallyinstpaul
Dec 15, 2025


Brown Color Combos: Teal
Today I am continuing my brown color combos for fall/winter outfits series with teal, a deep, warm color that creates a rich and elegant color combination when paired with medium to dark browns with either warm or cool undertones. I have 4 teal + brown outfit examples to inspire you in ways to wear the season's trendiest color. In this post, I am featuring a paisley scarf from my collection that does a wonderful job of bringing colors like brown, beige, rust, and teal togeth
sallyinstpaul
Dec 8, 2025
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