top of page





Search


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
4 days ago


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


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


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


Styling a Bird Cardigan in Winter for SIA Winter on the Marsh
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the painting "Winter on the Marsh" by contemporary British artist Dee Nickerson. She chose this artwork because of the winter scene and the primitivist style of the painting. The scene reminds me so strongly of a winter on the Norfolk marshes...which, let me be clear, I have never seen! But reading the 15 books in the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, which is
sallyinstpaul
Dec 17, 2025


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


Brown Color Combos: Olive
Today I am continuing my brown color combos for fall/winter outfits series with olive, which gives wonderful tree/leaf vibes for fall but looks great in any season...yes, including winter! I have 4 olive+ brown outfit examples to inspire you in ways to wear the season's trendiest color. My featured brown item for this post is a dark, warmish brown faux suede midi skirt that I purchased last winter to bolster my winter brown options; although I haven't worn it much yet, I pla
sallyinstpaul
Dec 5, 2025


Styling Old Favorites and Recent Additions in Cardigan Outfits for SIA Puppeufee (The Circus)
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the 1945 painting "Puppeufee (The Circus)" by American artist Zelda Fitzgerald (better known as the wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald). She chose this artwork because she is watching a drama about the Fitzgeralds in which she learned that Zelda was an accomplished artist - "It is not my favorite of her works, but I like that the colors are Christmasy for a December outfit
sallyinstpaul
Dec 3, 2025


Brown Color Combos: Rust
Today I am continuing my brown color combos for fall/winter outfits series with rust, a color that is very easy to mix in outfits with all shades of brown. I have 5 rust + brown outfit examples to inspire you in ways to wear the season's trendiest color. First, I want to share a corduroy skirt in a dark rust color that I added to my wardrobe just prior to fall last year and that I am looking forward to wearing for many cold seasons to come. This skirt, and the first outfit
sallyinstpaul
Nov 24, 2025


Styling a Colorful Casual Fall Outfit with the Thrifty Six: Chiffon Scarf
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 Chiffon...which is not a fabric I gravitate
sallyinstpaul
Nov 17, 2025


Comparison and Judgment are the Enemies of Creativity
I am fortunate to have joined a talented group of bloggers for the Global Writing Challenge. Each month, we write about a very broadly defined topic, and the responses are quite varied. The group include s Deb’s World , Marsha in the Middle , MK’s Adventures , Rosie Amber , Suzy Turner , Women Over 50 Living Well , and now me. This month, Marsha selected the topic of Creativity...a theme that is close to my heart as a writer, photographer, jewelry designer, and general
sallyinstpaul
Nov 13, 2025


Layering Over a Lace Jacket for a Fall Outfit with the Thrifty Six
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 Lace Skirt...and this was a Challenge with
sallyinstpaul
Oct 20, 2025


A Print Mix Outfit with Unexpected Proportions for SIA Walter Westley Russell
Salazar at 14 Shades of Grey is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected 1910 painting "Tying Her...
sallyinstpaul
Sep 26, 2025


Adding Fall Jewelry to a Summer Outfit for SIA Earth and Sky
Shelbee at Shelbee on the Edge is the curator for this round of Style Imitating Art (SIA), and she selected the circa 1930s painting...
sallyinstpaul
Sep 10, 2025
bottom of page