Today is Fashion Over 40-What I Wore. We've had the stomach bug going around our house this past week. I haven't had it yet (fingers crossed) but I've been taking care of the sick so taking pictures hasn't been priority. Last Friday I shared this picture of Jessica Quirk. I tried to copy a little bit of this with my green utility jacket. This is my humble attempt. I wore a burgundy top with black jeans. My jacket looks better zipped up but I kept it open for this picture. Julia utility Jacket-Stitch Fix/Burgundy top-The Limited/Leopard Scarf-Target/Kut From the Kloth black knit pants-Stitch Fix/Brown boots-Amazon I don't think a week goes by that I don't pull my chambray shirt out. I wore it this week under my new cardigan from Stitch Fix. To continue reading go here.

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Happy Wednesday friends!! Today I'm sharing some fashion over 40 with you. I actually snapped four pictures this week. I was very proud of myself. I wanted to add a really warm cardigan to my wardrobe and I recently found this one at TJ Maxx. It's great for cold winter days. Tan cardigan-TJ Maxx/White long sleeve shirt-Kohl's/Pink & tan scarf-Kohl's/Bootcut jeans-Stitch Fix/Brown boots-Amazon I wore this dress to church on Sunday. It was my daughter's dress and she passed it down to me. Black and white dress-Not sure/Black tights-TJ Maxx/Black boots-TJ Maxx(Nine West)

To continue reading go here.

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Happy hump day! I can't believe it's December 11th. I'm not ready for Christmas, I still have some shopping to do. The weather has been yucky here. We've had snow, ice and rain. It makes me want to stay indoors! Although I did stay inside a lot because of the weather, I managed to wear some leather, some plaid and some animal print. I wore this gray and leather cardigan to church on Sunday. The weather was bad so I wasn't going to wear heels. I love the leather patches on the shoulder and you can't see it, but it has leather elbow patches too. Gray cardigan-Marshall's/Houndstooth scarf-Target/Black knit pants-Stitch Fix/Black riding boots-Target I have been wanting to add a plaid shirt to my wardrobe and I found this one at Marshall's.

To continue reading go here.

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Merry Christmas! I can't believe next Wednesday is Christmas! I'm not quite ready, but I'm getting close. Today I'm sharing some fashion over 40. Some I've shared before, it's been pretty busy around here so I haven't had time to take pictures. :-) I'm sharing this picture because I took a picture of my handbag I recently purchased from Kohl's. You can find it here. I shared this picture before but I love this burgundy dress I purchased from Marshall's. I wore this outfit this week to run errands. I rarely go a week without wearing my chambray shirt. Okay, I haven't worn this red dress from Stitch Fix yet. I took a picture of how I might wear it but I'm not sure if I like it. So I need your help! How would you style this dress? I think I might get a different necklace? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

To continue reading go here.

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Happy New Year!!! I love the start of a new year, don't you? Wayne and I rang in the new year with a quiet evening at home. It was perfect! We did go out to dinner to my favorite Mexican restaurant and then we came home and watched one of my favorite movies, The Notebook. Of course we stayed awake to watch the ball drop! Well, here's some of my Fashion over 40-Winter Fashion from this week. I had a lot of last minute shopping to do this past week so this first outfit is a comfy outfit. Off white sweater-Kohl's/Chambray shirt-JC Penney/Leopard scarf-Target/Dark green bootcut jeans-Stitch Fix/Boots-Amazon I wore this to a funeral. We lost a godly older women (she was 90) in our church right after Christmas. I snapped this picture and didn't like the boots I had on so I actually wore my high heel black boots but I forget to get another picture. Black turtleneck-JC Penney/Black dress-Macy's/Black boots-don't remember Remember this red dress?  This is how I wore it to church. It was really cold so the scarf was needed! I also wore boots and a thinner tight with polka dots. To continue reading go here.

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One of the great things about after Christmas, is all the sales on winter clothes. Courtney (my daughter) and I spent some quality time together and did some shopping. After reading through your comments from the survey many of you wanted to see some clothes that you could wear to work. Jeans are not an option. I work two days outside the home and my work clothes consist of scrubs (I'm a dental hygienist). But I do like to dress up and so I'm going to be more consistent in showing you those outfits. This time of year I love a turtleneck because our weather is cold. This is a simple but classic winter outfit. Black turtleneck-Kohl's/Merona pencil skirt-Target/Black boots-Marshall's/Gold earrings-Francesca's/Gold bracelet-JC Penney I love the ankle pant and I thought these pants could be worn well into spring with a different blouse. Blue sweater-JC Penney/Ankle Pant-JC Penney/Metallic flats-Marshall's/Necklace-Stitch Fix I also styled this outfit with short black boots. Last week, I saw another fashion blogger wearing a gold top, brown pants and leopard print shoes. I knew I had similar items in my closet so I put them together.

To continue reading go here.

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Happy Hump Day! Well, today I'm sharing some winter outfits and can I just say the weather has been brutal. Fashion has not been as important as survival! For some reason the theme color this week seems to be tan. I have no idea why except again, I was trying to stay warm! Tan cardigan-Kohl's (similar here)/Black long sleeve shirt-Marshall's/Scarf-Target//Calvin Klein skinny jeans-TJ Maxx/Black Boots-Target This cable knit cardigan is not slenderizing at all but boy is it warm! It's perfect to wear when you're running errands and don't want to drag a coat around with you. Cable knit sweater-Marshall's/White long sleeve shirt-Kohl's/Floral Scarf-Target/Colored Jeans-Ann Taylor/Brown boots-Marshall's Several  of you have asked about my winter coat. I'm practical when it comes to a coat and I wear a black coat I purchased several years ago at Macy's when they were having an after Christmas sale. It's the Via Spiga brand. To continue reading go here.

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To begin the new year, I'm talking about the different body types of women. To dress with confidence, we need to know what looks best on our body type. Remember God made each of us unique! On Tuesday, we discussed the Apple body type. Today, we're moving on to the Banana body type. This is also referred to as the rectangle body type. (If I could pick, this is the body type I would want.) Here are the characteristics of the Banana Body Type. Do any of these describe you?

• Your shoulders, waist and hips are all about the same width

• You have a small- medium bust

• You are balanced and your waist is not defined

• You tend to put on weight in the stomach especially after menopause

• Wear tops and jackets that emphasize the waist

• Wear a belted coat

• Strong blocks of color help define your body

• Tops that are boat neck or scooped neck look best. Highlight with a statement necklace.

• Jackets that taper and end right below the waist create curves.  A belted jacket is the best.

• You will likely look good in A line dresses and pencil skirts

• Loose dresses with waist defining belts

• Skinny jeans will look good on your body type

• Slightly flared trousers will also look great on you as it will add more shape to your body.

• For shoes go with the rounded look in flats and pumps

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Today I’m sharing winter clothes for women over 40. Basically, I’m trying to share something other than jeans and boots.

One of the trends I love in winter clothes, is mixing patterns. While this picture might be a little extreme for me, I am wanting to incorporate some mixed patterns into my wardrobe.

{source}

In this outfit I wore a leopard print scarf with plaid pants.

Black blouse-The Limited/Leopard print scarf-Amazon/Plaid dress pants-JC Penney/Black heels/TJ Maxx

I was trying to create a more casual look with the same pair of pants. I think I might have liked it better with a back shirt.

Jean Jacket-Gap/White blouse-JC Penney/Plaid pants-JC Penney/Black riding boots-Target

So have you tried mixing patterns with your wardrobe?

Beauty For the Heart~~Wouldn’t you love to have a hope-filled heart? Wouldn’t you love to see the world through the eyes of Jesus? Where we see unanswered prayer, Jesus sees answered prayer. Where we see the absence of God, Jesus sees the plan of God. God never promises to remove us from our struggles. He does promise, however, to change the way we look at them. -Max Lucado

Have a blessed day!

***There are affiliate links in this post.

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I’m beyond excited to have Jo-Lynne guest posting for my Fashion Over 40 post today! She is an amazing blogger and I’m a huge fan of her blog. Please make her feel welcome and say hello to her. Then hop over to Musings of a Housewife where I’m guest posting for her!

I’m so excited to be blog swapping with Cyndi today! I met Cyndi a few years ago at a Blissdom Conference, and I can attest that she is every bit as lovely in person as she is on her blog. We thought it would be fun to swap blogs and introduce ourselves to each other’s audience, so here I am!

A little bit about me — I’m a 40-ish writer, runner and self-professed girly-girl who is obsessed with social media, bacon, sauvignon blanc and skinny jeans. (And I absolutely detest the telephone.) I live and work from home in the suburbs of Philadelphia with my husband, three kids, and a terribly spoiled shih ztu named Savannah. Here we are.

Don’t they look charming? Don’t be fooled. My kids think arguing is a sport and that their coats and shoes belong on the living room floor. Which I suppose just makes us an average American family!

Musings of a Housewife is my personal lifestyle blog where I share fashion and beauty advice for suburban housewives like me, wholesome recipes and information on gluten-free living, fitness inspiration from a recovering couch potato and reviews of family travel destinations. I hope you’ll stop over and visit!

Like Cyndi, I participate in the What I Wore linkup over at The Pleated Poppy and post my outfits every week. What started out as an accountability exercise to get dressed every day has turned into a fun challenge to expand my fashion horizons. I feel like I’ve learned so much about what works for my personal style aesthetic, and I’m definitely more inclined to try new trends now that I’ve been recording my outfits for a few years.

Here are a few of my favorite looks from this season. I will provide product links for anything that is still available in case anyone wants to know where to buy them!

How to Wear Leggings Over 40: This outfit has become one of my fast favorites. I picked up this tunic sweater at Nordstrom last fall and these HUE Leggings are absolutely wonderful. The waistband is nice and wide (no muffin top, YAY!) and they are just the right thickness because no one wants see-through leggings, can I get an amen?? The long pendant necklace helps break up the solid top and keeps the look modern. The bag and boots were both sent to me as produce samples. Aren’t those red boots sublime!?

Raglan Seam Dolman Sleeve Sweater // Hue Ultra Wide Waistband Leggings // JAFA Shoes Style #2040 // Caroline Pendant // Brasilia Crossbody

How to Wear Camo Pants Over 40: I was immediately drawn to these camo pants when I first saw them on Gap.com but I had to wear them a time or two before I was thoroughly comfortable in them. Now I love them. They’re just edgy enough without being too over-the-top. I’ve tried styling them numerous ways, but my favorites always involve denim of some sort — a denim shirt with a colorful scarf or a denim jacket over a neutral such as white, gray, or black, and even burgundy works well. The booties I’m wearing in this photo were another great purchase I made this year. These are so fun, and terribly comfortable. They really update an outfit.

cropped jean jacket // GAP camo front zip always skinny jeans // Toms Desert Bootie in Sand // gray Essential Short-Sleve V-Neck T // Luxe Statement Necklace

How to Wear Leopard Over 40: Leopard and animal prints in general is a big trend right now, and every woman has to take into account her own personal style aesthetic and determine how much leopard she can get away with before it gets to be too much. I like incorporating leopard into my outfits with accessories. This leopard scarf has been an incredibly versatile wardrobe piece this year.

LOFT boyfriend sweater // white Essential Short-Sleve V-Neck T // 7 for All Mankind Skinnies {similiar} // Toms Desert Booties // scarf and bracelet {Francesca’s}

I also have a pair of leopard pumps that I enjoy wearing with skinny jeans and a colorful sweater. And I have a bit of a handbag obsession. The bright pink Kate Spade tote was a “Christmas present” this year — I scored it at 75% off on Black Friday. WOO!! Now it’s only available on eBay.

Halogen High/Low Tunic Sweater (now 60% off!!!) // Black Cords (old) // circles earrings // gold necklace LOFT // Tory Burch Logo Leather Wrap Bracelet // Stella & Dot Gold Bardot Bracelet // Michael Kors Chain Bracelet Chronograph Watch // Kate Spade New York Southport Avenue Linda Tote // patent leather leopard pumps {similar}

How to Wear Colored Jeans Over 40: I love my colored jeans. I have red and green and plum, and somehow manage to wear one or the other at least once a week. They dress up any neutral top and allow you to go bold even when you’re not comfortable putting a bold color near your face. I paired my red jeans with this gray turtleneck and black denim jacket and wore black knee-high boots to go shopping with a girlfriend before Christmas. It’s a simple outfit, but the color combination is striking, and the structure of the jacket along with the heel on the boots create a slender silhouette.

And I wore my green jeans with this taupe sweater and embellished tank to church one Sunday last fall. Unfortunately, none of the items pictured here are still for sale. But you can find colored jeans at any of your favorite retailers.

And lest you think I never wear skirts . . .

I admit, I break out skirts only on rare occasion during the winter months. I do wear dresses and skirts quite a bit during the summertime. This outfit is great for church or a girls lunch out during the cooler months. I received this chevron maxi skirt from ADORNit as a product sample, and I styled it with a basic black cardigan and cream tank. I always feel like maxi skirts need a bit of height so I wore these knee high wedge boots, which were a product sample from The Walking Company.

Black Cardigan // cream tank {similar} // coral and black Chevron Maxi Skirt // Umberto Raffini Signature Joelle knee high wedge boots // necklace and bracelet, Francesca’s

Hopefully this post gives you an idea of the sorts of outfits I post every Wednesday. Admittedly, I picked my faves. There are days when I’m lucky to get dressed in leggings and a cute tunic sweatshirt, but that’s the life of a work-at-home-mom, I guess!!!! Feel free to pop over to Musings of a Housewife and say hi. In addition to fashion, I also post recipes and product reviews and anecdotes on motherhood and family.

Thanks, Cyndi, for having me guest blog for you today!! It’s always fun getting to meet a new audience!

Linking to the Pleated Poppy.

***There are affiliate links in this post.

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I’m having a lot of fun with these posts! Today we’re looking at the Hourglass Body Type. This is the body type that is full of curves. I can’t help but picture Marilyn Monroe when I think of the Hourglass shape.

Here are the characteristics of the Hourglass Body Type. Do any of these describe you? (Added weight to this body type can give you the appearance of the apple body type.)

• The bust and hip are approximately the same size
• You have a defined waistline
• A round bottom and you’re generally curvy all over.

{source}

Here are some guidelines on what the hourglass body type can wear. Remember these are only guidelines and they’re a good starting point.

• Wear a good fitting bra
• Opt for flat front boot cut trousers, preferably with some stretch
• Wear darker colors on top to make your chest appear smaller.
• A good rule of thumb is to keep the top relatively simple, and smooth
• Choose tailored single breasted jackets with defined V-necklines.
• Dresses are your friend! Wrap dresses are perfect for you because they create a V on the neckline and tailor the midriff
• Flat-front, mid-rise, wide waist-band, boot-cut jeans are the obvious flattering choice
• You can wear skinny or straight legs if you match them with A-line tunics, dresses and heels
• Belted coats with a V neck line. Think classic trench coat

Clothes for the hourglass body type to avoid:

• Straight shapes that hide your waist
• Fussy styles and details that create additional volume around your bust, tummy, or thighs
• Boxy jackets, or double breasted style jackets
• High necklines such as a turtleneck

Here are some clothes that would work for the Hourglass Body Type. All these pieces can be found at Macy’s and I added them to my Fashion Over 40 Pinterest Board.

Are you the hourglass body type? What do you find that works great for this shape?

Here are the other body types we’ve talked about:

• Apple body type
• Banana body type
• Pear body type

Beauty For the Heart~~Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first? As you begin each day, determine that God’s love will guide what you say and how you think?

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Have a blessed day!

The post How To Dress The Hourglass Body Type appeared first on Walking in Grace and Beauty.

Happy Hump Day! I loved blog swapping last week with Jo-Lynne but today I’m back here with some winter fashion.

By the end of February I’m going to be ready to ditch this cold weather. I’m praying for an early spring!

I wore this dress to church Sunday. I wore it last August to the Haven conference when the weather was warm. It’s sleeveless so I added a black cardigan, black tights and boots.

Royal blue dress-Stitch Fix//Black cardigan-Old Navy//Black boots-Marshall’s similar here

We had one day of above freezing weather so I wore this collared shirt from Target.

Navy top-Taget//Skinny jeans-Macy’s//Brown boots-Marshall’s

You can’t see the necklace I have on very well, so here’s a better picture. It’s from Francesca’s.

I decided to come in, I can’t stand to be outside when it’s cold and snowy.

Green jacket-Stitch Fix//Black turtleneck-Kohl’s//Black skinny pants-Stitch Fix//Black boots-Target//Earrings-Francesca’s

Well, that’s all I have for this week! Have you been having cold and snowy weather?

Beauty For the Heart~~Look to see what God says and how He works in the Scriptures. Make your decisions and evaluate your experiences based on biblical truths. (excerpt from Experiencing God)

Malachi 3:6, “I the LORD do not change.”

Have a blessed day!

Linking to The Pleated Poppy.

***There are affiliate links in the post. If you purchase something you do not pay more but I do receive a small commission. Thank you!

The post Fashion Over 40-Winter Fashion appeared first on Walking in Grace and Beauty.

Well, the weather finally cleared and we had no snow for a few days. But it was short lived because we have more snow today. Ugh!

Last week we talked about the in-between season. I’m never sure what to wear but I always have a jacket with me. I recently purchased this military style jacket from JC Penny and I’ll be wearing it a lot as the weather turns milder.

I shared this outfit a few weeks ago but I wore it this past week to the Casting Crowns concert.

Military Jacket-JC Penney//Green tie front blouse-The Limited//Gold Earrings-The Limited//Skinny jeans-Banana Republic//Gold toe shoes-Zappos (similar here)

Another piece of clothing I wear a lot during the in-between season is my denim jacket. It’s a great piece to have especially for women over 40. It’s one of the basic pieces we talk about.

Denim Jacket-Gap//Infinity scarf-Target//Black long sleeve shirt-Marshall’s//Brown skinny pants-Marshall’s//Wedge heel-Payless Shoe Source

I love a wedge heel. They’re much more comfortable than regular heels don’t you think?

Stylish jackets are a must for me during the in-between season. Do you wear jackets? Do you have a denim jacket?

Beauty For the Heart~~Several weeks ago someone left a comment about wanting to instruct their grown children. They didn’t want to come off as being “preachy”. But they wanted to guide them.

I had to laugh a little when I read that because if you were to ask my grown children, they would definitely call me “preachy”. To be honest, I take it as a compliment. I’m their Mom. Someone needs instruct them in the “right” ways. The world we live in certainly does not do that!

Two scriptures come to my mind. Proverbs 31:26, She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Deuteronomy 11:19, Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

These both tell us to teach our children. It doesn’t say they have to be young. We as Moms, need to share truth with our children, no matter their age.

Have a blessed day!

***There are affiliate links in this post. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through my link. It just means I made it easier for you to find something, so I make a few cents when you purchase it. I so appreciate your support of Walking in Grace & Beauty.  Thank you!

Linking to The Pleated Poppy

The post Fashion Over 40-What I Wore appeared first on Walking in Grace and Beauty.

Happy hump day! It’s What I Wore-Fashion Over 40 and today I’m styling a puffy vest. 

I purchased this plaid shirt from LOFT and I’ll be honest, I like it, but I don’t think pink is my color. Good to know!! I’ve struggled with styling it.

I finally styled it with a black puffy vest from Gap and I like it.

My earrings I purchased from ViBella. This company sells jewelry and has an amazing ministry helping women. You can read more about it here.

Black puffy vest-Gap//Plaid shirt-LOFT//Skinny jeans-Banana Republic//Black boots-Target (last year)

Beauty For the Heart~~God has been nudging me lately to make sure I’m nurturing my friendships. Both my online friends and my real life friends.

Friendship is a gift and it takes time to build strong friendships. But as women, we need them. We don’t need to be so busy in our daily lives that we neglect spending time with other women.

So this week take some time to call a friend, have lunch or send a note. You’ll be blessed!

Friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil-but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small silly presents every so often-just to save it from drying out completely. -Pam Brown

Have a blessed day!

**There are affiliate links in this post. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through my link. It just means I made it easier for you to find something, so I make a few cents when you purchase it. I so appreciate your support of Walking in Grace & Beauty. Thank you!

The post What I Wore-Fashion Over 40 appeared first on Walking in Grace and Beauty.

I’m beyond excited to have Jo-Lynne guest posting for my Fashion Over 40 post today! She is an amazing blogger and I’m a huge fan of her blog. Please make her feel welcome and say hello to her. Then hop over to Musings of a Housewife where I’m guest posting for her!

I’m so excited to be blog swapping with Cyndi today! I met Cyndi a few years ago at a Blissdom Conference, and I can attest that she is every bit as lovely in person as she is on her blog. We thought it would be fun to swap blogs and introduce ourselves to each other’s audience, so here I am!

A little bit about me — I’m a 40-ish writer, runner and self-professed girly-girl who is obsessed with social media, bacon, sauvignon blanc and skinny jeans. (And I absolutely detest the telephone.) I live and work from home in the suburbs of Philadelphia with my husband, three kids, and a terribly spoiled shih ztu named Savannah. Here we are.

Don’t they look charming? Don’t be fooled. My kids think arguing is a sport and that their coats and shoes belong on the living room floor. Which I suppose just makes us an average American family!

Musings of a Housewife is my personal lifestyle blog where I share fashion and beauty advice for suburban housewives like me, wholesome recipes and information on gluten-free living, fitness inspiration from a recovering couch potato and reviews of family travel destinations. I hope you’ll stop over and visit!

Like Cyndi, I participate in the What I Wore linkup over at The Pleated Poppy and post my outfits every week. What started out as an accountability exercise to get dressed every day has turned into a fun challenge to expand my fashion horizons. I feel like I’ve learned so much about what works for my personal style aesthetic, and I’m definitely more inclined to try new trends now that I’ve been recording my outfits for a few years.

Here are a few of my favorite looks from this season. I will provide product links for anything that is still available in case anyone wants to know where to buy them!

How to Wear Leggings Over 40: This outfit has become one of my fast favorites. I picked up this tunic sweater at Nordstrom last fall and these HUE Leggings are absolutely wonderful. The waistband is nice and wide (no muffin top, YAY!) and they are just the right thickness because no one wants see-through leggings, can I get an amen?? The long pendant necklace helps break up the solid top and keeps the look modern. The bag and boots were both sent to me as produce samples. Aren’t those red boots sublime!?

Raglan Seam Dolman Sleeve Sweater // Hue Ultra Wide Waistband Leggings // JAFA Shoes Style #2040 // Caroline Pendant // Brasilia Crossbody

How to Wear Camo Pants Over 40: I was immediately drawn to these camo pants when I first saw them on Gap.com but I had to wear them a time or two before I was thoroughly comfortable in them. Now I love them. They’re just edgy enough without being too over-the-top. I’ve tried styling them numerous ways, but my favorites always involve denim of some sort — a denim shirt with a colorful scarf or a denim jacket over a neutral such as white, gray, or black, and even burgundy works well. The booties I’m wearing in this photo were another great purchase I made this year. These are so fun, and terribly comfortable. They really update an outfit.

cropped jean jacket // GAP camo front zip always skinny jeans // Toms Desert Bootie in Sand // gray Essential Short-Sleve V-Neck T // Luxe Statement Necklace

How to Wear Leopard Over 40: Leopard and animal prints in general is a big trend right now, and every woman has to take into account her own personal style aesthetic and determine how much leopard she can get away with before it gets to be too much. I like incorporating leopard into my outfits with accessories. This leopard scarf has been an incredibly versatile wardrobe piece this year.

LOFT boyfriend sweater // white Essential Short-Sleve V-Neck T // 7 for All Mankind Skinnies {similiar} // Toms Desert Booties // scarf and bracelet {Francesca’s}

I also have a pair of leopard pumps that I enjoy wearing with skinny jeans and a colorful sweater. And I have a bit of a handbag obsession. The bright pink Kate Spade tote was a “Christmas present” this year — I scored it at 75% off on Black Friday. WOO!! Now it’s only available on eBay.

Halogen High/Low Tunic Sweater (now 60% off!!!) // Black Cords (old) // circles earrings // gold necklace LOFT // Tory Burch Logo Leather Wrap Bracelet // Stella & Dot Gold Bardot Bracelet // Michael Kors Chain Bracelet Chronograph Watch // Kate Spade New York Southport Avenue Linda Tote // patent leather leopard pumps {similar}

How to Wear Colored Jeans Over 40: I love my colored jeans. I have red and green and plum, and somehow manage to wear one or the other at least once a week. They dress up any neutral top and allow you to go bold even when you’re not comfortable putting a bold color near your face. I paired my red jeans with this gray turtleneck and black denim jacket and wore black knee-high boots to go shopping with a girlfriend before Christmas. It’s a simple outfit, but the color combination is striking, and the structure of the jacket along with the heel on the boots create a slender silhouette.

And I wore my green jeans with this taupe sweater and embellished tank to church one Sunday last fall. Unfortunately, none of the items pictured here are still for sale. But you can find colored jeans at any of your favorite retailers.

And lest you think I never wear skirts . . .

I admit, I break out skirts only on rare occasion during the winter months. I do wear dresses and skirts quite a bit during the summertime. This outfit is great for church or a girls lunch out during the cooler months. I received this chevron maxi skirt from ADORNit as a product sample, and I styled it with a basic black cardigan and cream tank. I always feel like maxi skirts need a bit of height so I wore these knee high wedge boots, which were a product sample from The Walking Company.

Black Cardigan // cream tank {similar} // coral and black Chevron Maxi Skirt // Umberto Raffini Signature Joelle knee high wedge boots // necklace and bracelet, Francesca’s

Hopefully this post gives you an idea of the sorts of outfits I post every Wednesday. Admittedly, I picked my faves. There are days when I’m lucky to get dressed in leggings and a cute tunic sweatshirt, but that’s the life of a work-at-home-mom, I guess!!!! Feel free to pop over to Musings of a Housewife and say hi. In addition to fashion, I also post recipes and product reviews and anecdotes on motherhood and family.

Thanks, Cyndi, for having me guest blog for you today!! It’s always fun getting to meet a new audience!

Linking to the Pleated Poppy.

***There are affiliate links in this post.

I’m having a lot of fun with these posts! Today we’re looking at the Hourglass Body Type. This is the body type that is full of curves. I can’t help but picture Marilyn Monroe when I think of the Hourglass shape.

Here are the characteristics of the Hourglass Body Type. Do any of these describe you? (Added weight to this body type can give you the appearance of the apple body type.)

• The bust and hip are approximately the same size
• You have a defined waistline
• A round bottom and you’re generally curvy all over.

{source}

Here are some guidelines on what the hourglass body type can wear. Remember these are only guidelines and they’re a good starting point.

• Wear a good fitting bra
• Opt for flat front boot cut trousers, preferably with some stretch
• Wear darker colors on top to make your chest appear smaller.
• A good rule of thumb is to keep the top relatively simple, and smooth
• Choose tailored single breasted jackets with defined V-necklines.
• Dresses are your friend! Wrap dresses are perfect for you because they create a V on the neckline and tailor the midriff
• Flat-front, mid-rise, wide waist-band, boot-cut jeans are the obvious flattering choice
• You can wear skinny or straight legs if you match them with A-line tunics, dresses and heels
• Belted coats with a V neck line. Think classic trench coat

Clothes for the hourglass body type to avoid:

• Straight shapes that hide your waist
• Fussy styles and details that create additional volume around your bust, tummy, or thighs
• Boxy jackets, or double breasted style jackets
• High necklines such as a turtleneck

Here are some clothes that would work for the Hourglass Body Type. All these pieces can be found at Macy’s and I added them to my Fashion Over 40 Pinterest Board.

Are you the hourglass body type? What do you find that works great for this shape?

Here are the other body types we’ve talked about:

• Apple body type
• Banana body type
• Pear body type

Beauty For the Heart~~Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first? As you begin each day, determine that God’s love will guide what you say and how you think?

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Have a blessed day!

Happy Hump Day! I loved blog swapping last week with Jo-Lynne but today I’m back here with some winter fashion.

By the end of February I’m going to be ready to ditch this cold weather. I’m praying for an early spring!

I wore this dress to church Sunday. I wore it last August to the Haven conference when the weather was warm. It’s sleeveless so I added a black cardigan, black tights and boots.

Royal blue dress-Stitch Fix//Black cardigan-Old Navy//Black boots-Marshall’s similar here

We had one day of above freezing weather so I wore this collared shirt from Target.

Navy top-Taget//Skinny jeans-Macy’s//Brown boots-Marshall’s

You can’t see the necklace I have on very well, so here’s a better picture. It’s from Francesca’s.

I decided to come in, I can’t stand to be outside when it’s cold and snowy.

Green jacket-Stitch Fix//Black turtleneck-Kohl’s//Black skinny pants-Stitch Fix//Black boots-Target//Earrings-Francesca’s

Well, that’s all I have for this week! Have you been having cold and snowy weather?

Beauty For the Heart~~Look to see what God says and how He works in the Scriptures. Make your decisions and evaluate your experiences based on biblical truths. (excerpt from Experiencing God)

Malachi 3:6, “I the LORD do not change.”

Have a blessed day!

Linking to The Pleated Poppy.

***There are affiliate links in the post. If you purchase something you do not pay more but I do receive a small commission. Thank you!

Well, the weather finally cleared and we had no snow for a few days. But it was short lived because we have more snow today. Ugh!

Last week we talked about the in-between season. I’m never sure what to wear but I always have a jacket with me. I recently purchased this military style jacket from JC Penny and I’ll be wearing it a lot as the weather turns milder.

I shared this outfit a few weeks ago but I wore it this past week to the Casting Crowns concert.

Military Jacket-JC Penney//Green tie front blouse-The Limited//Gold Earrings-The Limited//Skinny jeans-Banana Republic//Gold toe shoes-Zappos (similar here)

Another piece of clothing I wear a lot during the in-between season is my denim jacket. It’s a great piece to have especially for women over 40. It’s one of the basic pieces we talk about.

Denim Jacket-Gap//Infinity scarf-Target//Black long sleeve shirt-Marshall’s//Brown skinny pants-Marshall’s//Wedge heel-Payless Shoe Source

I love a wedge heel. They’re much more comfortable than regular heels don’t you think?

Stylish jackets are a must for me during the in-between season. Do you wear jackets? Do you have a denim jacket?

Beauty For the Heart~~Several weeks ago someone left a comment about wanting to instruct their grown children. They didn’t want to come off as being “preachy”. But they wanted to guide them.

I had to laugh a little when I read that because if you were to ask my grown children, they would definitely call me “preachy”. To be honest, I take it as a compliment. I’m their Mom. Someone needs instruct them in the “right” ways. The world we live in certainly does not do that!

Two scriptures come to my mind. Proverbs 31:26, She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Deuteronomy 11:19, Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

These both tell us to teach our children. It doesn’t say they have to be young. We as Moms, need to share truth with our children, no matter their age.

Have a blessed day!

***There are affiliate links in this post. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through my link. It just means I made it easier for you to find something, so I make a few cents when you purchase it. I so appreciate your support of Walking in Grace & Beauty.  Thank you!

Linking to The Pleated Poppy

Happy hump day! It’s What I Wore-Fashion Over 40 and today I’m styling a puffy vest. 

I purchased this plaid shirt from LOFT and I’ll be honest, I like it, but I don’t think pink is my color. Good to know!! I’ve struggled with styling it.

I finally styled it with a black puffy vest from Gap and I like it.

My earrings I purchased from ViBella. This company sells jewelry and has an amazing ministry helping women. You can read more about it here.

Black puffy vest-Gap//Plaid shirt-LOFT//Skinny jeans-Banana Republic//Black boots-Target (last year)

Beauty For the Heart~~God has been nudging me lately to make sure I’m nurturing my friendships. Both my online friends and my real life friends.

Friendship is a gift and it takes time to build strong friendships. But as women, we need them. We don’t need to be so busy in our daily lives that we neglect spending time with other women.

So this week take some time to call a friend, have lunch or send a note. You’ll be blessed!

Friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil-but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small silly presents every so often-just to save it from drying out completely. -Pam Brown

Have a blessed day!

**There are affiliate links in this post. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through my link. It just means I made it easier for you to find something, so I make a few cents when you purchase it. I so appreciate your support of Walking in Grace & Beauty. Thank you!

I’m beyond excited to have Jo-Lynne guest posting for my Fashion Over 40 post today! She is an amazing blogger and I’m a huge fan of her blog. Please make her feel welcome and say hello to her. Then hop over to Musings of a Housewife where I’m guest posting for her!

I’m so excited to be blog swapping with Cyndi today! I met Cyndi a few years ago at a Blissdom Conference, and I can attest that she is every bit as lovely in person as she is on her blog. We thought it would be fun to swap blogs and introduce ourselves to each other’s audience, so here I am!

A little bit about me — I’m a 40-ish writer, runner and self-professed girly-girl who is obsessed with social media, bacon, sauvignon blanc and skinny jeans. (And I absolutely detest the telephone.) I live and work from home in the suburbs of Philadelphia with my husband, three kids, and a terribly spoiled shih ztu named Savannah. Here we are.

Don’t they look charming? Don’t be fooled. My kids think arguing is a sport and that their coats and shoes belong on the living room floor. Which I suppose just makes us an average American family!

Musings of a Housewife is my personal lifestyle blog where I share fashion and beauty advice for suburban housewives like me, wholesome recipes and information on gluten-free living, fitness inspiration from a recovering couch potato and reviews of family travel destinations. I hope you’ll stop over and visit!

Like Cyndi, I participate in the What I Wore linkup over at The Pleated Poppy and post my outfits every week. What started out as an accountability exercise to get dressed every day has turned into a fun challenge to expand my fashion horizons. I feel like I’ve learned so much about what works for my personal style aesthetic, and I’m definitely more inclined to try new trends now that I’ve been recording my outfits for a few years.

Here are a few of my favorite looks from this season. I will provide product links for anything that is still available in case anyone wants to know where to buy them!

How to Wear Leggings Over 40: This outfit has become one of my fast favorites. I picked up this tunic sweater at Nordstrom last fall and these HUE Leggings are absolutely wonderful. The waistband is nice and wide (no muffin top, YAY!) and they are just the right thickness because no one wants see-through leggings, can I get an amen?? The long pendant necklace helps break up the solid top and keeps the look modern. The bag and boots were both sent to me as produce samples. Aren’t those red boots sublime!?

Raglan Seam Dolman Sleeve Sweater // Hue Ultra Wide Waistband Leggings // JAFA Shoes Style #2040 // Caroline Pendant // Brasilia Crossbody

How to Wear Camo Pants Over 40: I was immediately drawn to these camo pants when I first saw them on Gap.com but I had to wear them a time or two before I was thoroughly comfortable in them. Now I love them. They’re just edgy enough without being too over-the-top. I’ve tried styling them numerous ways, but my favorites always involve denim of some sort — a denim shirt with a colorful scarf or a denim jacket over a neutral such as white, gray, or black, and even burgundy works well. The booties I’m wearing in this photo were another great purchase I made this year. These are so fun, and terribly comfortable. They really update an outfit.

cropped jean jacket // GAP camo front zip always skinny jeans // Toms Desert Bootie in Sand // gray Essential Short-Sleve V-Neck T // Luxe Statement Necklace

How to Wear Leopard Over 40: Leopard and animal prints in general is a big trend right now, and every woman has to take into account her own personal style aesthetic and determine how much leopard she can get away with before it gets to be too much. I like incorporating leopard into my outfits with accessories. This leopard scarf has been an incredibly versatile wardrobe piece this year.

LOFT boyfriend sweater // white Essential Short-Sleve V-Neck T // 7 for All Mankind Skinnies {similiar} // Toms Desert Booties // scarf and bracelet {Francesca’s}

I also have a pair of leopard pumps that I enjoy wearing with skinny jeans and a colorful sweater. And I have a bit of a handbag obsession. The bright pink Kate Spade tote was a “Christmas present” this year — I scored it at 75% off on Black Friday. WOO!! Now it’s only available on eBay.

Halogen High/Low Tunic Sweater (now 60% off!!!) // Black Cords (old) // circles earrings // gold necklace LOFT // Tory Burch Logo Leather Wrap Bracelet // Stella & Dot Gold Bardot Bracelet // Michael Kors Chain Bracelet Chronograph Watch // Kate Spade New York Southport Avenue Linda Tote // patent leather leopard pumps {similar}

How to Wear Colored Jeans Over 40: I love my colored jeans. I have red and green and plum, and somehow manage to wear one or the other at least once a week. They dress up any neutral top and allow you to go bold even when you’re not comfortable putting a bold color near your face. I paired my red jeans with this gray turtleneck and black denim jacket and wore black knee-high boots to go shopping with a girlfriend before Christmas. It’s a simple outfit, but the color combination is striking, and the structure of the jacket along with the heel on the boots create a slender silhouette.

And I wore my green jeans with this taupe sweater and embellished tank to church one Sunday last fall. Unfortunately, none of the items pictured here are still for sale. But you can find colored jeans at any of your favorite retailers.

And lest you think I never wear skirts . . .

I admit, I break out skirts only on rare occasion during the winter months. I do wear dresses and skirts quite a bit during the summertime. This outfit is great for church or a girls lunch out during the cooler months. I received this chevron maxi skirt from ADORNit as a product sample, and I styled it with a basic black cardigan and cream tank. I always feel like maxi skirts need a bit of height so I wore these knee high wedge boots, which were a product sample from The Walking Company.

Black Cardigan // cream tank {similar} // coral and black Chevron Maxi Skirt // Umberto Raffini Signature Joelle knee high wedge boots // necklace and bracelet, Francesca’s

Hopefully this post gives you an idea of the sorts of outfits I post every Wednesday. Admittedly, I picked my faves. There are days when I’m lucky to get dressed in leggings and a cute tunic sweatshirt, but that’s the life of a work-at-home-mom, I guess!!!! Feel free to pop over to Musings of a Housewife and say hi. In addition to fashion, I also post recipes and product reviews and anecdotes on motherhood and family.

Thanks, Cyndi, for having me guest blog for you today!! It’s always fun getting to meet a new audience!

Linking to the Pleated Poppy.

***There are affiliate links in this post.

The post Fashion Over 40-Daily Mom Style appeared first on Cyndi Spivey.