We can try to re-start this thread each week, like you said. The others will still be here for us to look back on for ideas. Cindy, I really like your dress and cardigan, and the one you wore to church last week too. When I was getting ready for church today, I was remembering how I dreaded Sundays because I could never find something I felt pretty in. In January, I gave up sugar and exercised regularly and lost 30 lbs, then in April I discovered MSP and started learning about style here and all over the web, because I really got interested in it. I also have spent too much money... but I now have a closet full of potential outfits that I enjoy wearing and getting ready for church isn't dreadful any more. Thanks, Leslie! I stopped exercising when I found this site, because I used my spare time to learn about style on the web and it took hours to go through my closet and then to alter clothes.... but now I'm starting to exercise again, so hopefully I'll lose those last 30 lbs in the near future.

Thank you for the kind words. I've been enjoying your outfits, too. I've also lost weight since joining MSP, but still have a ways to go to goal. When I first joined, I went a bit crazy buying clothes that fit, but didn't necessarily work together. I've been purging, and am being more selective about any new additions, applying the "can I wear this at least 3 ways" rule. Playing with our wardrobes and reading the fashion blogs does take time, but it's so much fun now. Thank you, Leslie.

Hmmm, can you tell I like cardigans? I have been looking for lightweight dresses with 3/4 sleeves, but not much luck so far. I may just have to sew my own.

Beautiful! I love cardigans too. It is the greatest thing I learned this year, adding cardigans/ vests/ jackets/ open tops. I had the afternoon to myself yesterday and went through my closet again, trying everything on. I hadn't done that since the spring, and was suprised at how many things don't work for me anymore with what I've learned. I also was suprised at how many things didn't fit me (too tight when I raise my arms), so I got them out of there too. My closet's pretty empty now, but I'm working on making new outfits out of what I have. I'm also back to exercising, so hopefully I'll be able to add them back in the future.

What fashion blogs are you all enjoying? I would love to look at some for the over 40 woman. Thanks!

sarmour41, here are a few I read: over50feeling40; inside out style; already pretty; the small fabric of my life (she does a lot of capsule wardrobe challenges); and although I don't follow her blog all the time "not dead yet style" has some good posts, plus she has links to other over-40 bloggers. I also follow Ephemera, even though her style is occasionally over the top for me. She is doing a year-long, month-by-month wardrobe capsule challenge of 30 pieces for 30 days. She's using the challenge to figure out which clothes really belong in her closet. Inspiring. For those ladies who are even older, I have fun reading Style Crone (very elegant lady) or Advanced Style. Advanced Style has some very over-the-top ladies, but you gotta love the fact that they are having fun with fashion. There are still some classic outfits shown in some of the posts. Whew! There are lots out there if you look. I even follow some of the younger bloggers, who have body shapes more like mine, and then adapt their ideas to me. You can find inspiration anywhere.

My very favorite style blog is Inside Out. I sent Imogen Lampert some pictures of myself and asked for dressing advice and she wrote back and told me to stick to empire waist tops and dresses. She also thought I should shorten my tops a bit. I also ready Already Pretty daily and am working through Sally's Already Pretty book. It's a lot of work but I have learned so much about myself and what my style is/should be to really be me. I also wrote an e-mail to Sally for advice on boots and she wrote back the same day. The fashionista is also helpful. Also, I paid $30 for a one time document from The Fashion Code because I was having a very hard time determining where my different clothes and jewelry should end. You input your height with shoes and your head length and you get a document that describes exactly where each item should end on you. There are also 10 very helpful tips in the document. It made a huge difference to me.

:)

Helen, you always look great! Thanks for posting. As I get more of my basics, I will start posting pictures, too.

Helen...Love, love, love! Fabulous top! Where did you get it? The necklace adds a nice vertical line as well as brings attention up to your lovely smile!!! Keep it up girl! Leslie

Thank you for the nice words, Ruby and Leslie! I love the necklace because it has 5 children on it for my 5: 4 boys and a girl. Leslie, you did say on blog talk radio this week that we shouldn't say how little we spent on our outfits! LOL! But since you're my teacher I'll tell you. The top is actually a hand-me-down from my husband's Aunt, and the cropped shrug I bought on ebay this summer (it was new and actually cost $15, which isn't THAT cheap for ebay). I didn't even realize they matched until I re-arranged my closet last Sunday. I had organized it by type: skirts, jackets, etcs. Now I have it organized by color instead, and have found some new matches. I think I misunderstood you and you probably recommended organizing by color and within color, by type. Here is a dress I wore with the same shrug this last week:

:)

I love today's outfit HelenC, I think you touched on a few of the current trends and I think you look great in it! Elaine in CO

Thanks, Elaine!

That looks amazing, Helen, beautiful colours and they suit you very well!

Thank you Bettina. I love the blues and greens with brown.

Ooh, you are rocking the winter white trend! :-) What color season are you, HelenC? Yesterday I (finally) found some red denim skinny jeans. As I was looking at how to wear them '3 ways' (actually I hope for a lot more than three ways from my clothes), I realized that I don't have nearly enough white basics. That is my Number One focus in my shopping now. And hopefully I will be able to put them all together like you have here! Elaine in CO

Thanks, Elaine! I am a summer but lately have found myself wearing the brighter of my colors and some winter colors as well. I bleach my hair, but it's really light brown with some grey.

:)

:)

:)