Today I can say that I am thankfully blessed for being steadily employed in Corporate America since 1984, and even though I was laid off in 2005, I am now a contractor for that same company. A job loss can be devastating in so many ways but today’s post is addressing the loss of a wardrobe style.
In the 80’s women were trying to get ahead in corporate America so the power suit became fashionable, and women dressed to impress in the workplace. The stand-out piece of the power suit was the jacket, often boxy and long, with big shoulder pads and worn with matching knee-length skirts.
In the 90’s, the power suit became a bit more relaxed and more colorful, the long boxy jackets got shorter and the shoulder pads smoothed down. I remember hubby buying me expensive suits although he knew I had a thrifter’s taste, or as it likes to call me “cheap”…anywho, a lot of those suits have been donated.
With the change in Corporate attire to Corporate Casual I no longer buy or thrift power suits. However, I do have one that I kept solely because of the color, and because of the color I choose not to wear it together as a suit, I had to break them up.
I broke them up and wore the jacket with a pencil skirt and polka dot top thrifted from Goodwill
I broke them up and wore the skirt with a sleeveless tank thrifted from Goodwill
Earring and necklace set from Avon
Color block purse was purchased at Spence’s Bazaar, a flea market in Dover
Breaking up a suit is not hard to do and it actually gives you more wardrobe options.
What are your thoughts?
Color block flats are from CitiTrends
Necklace was new, thrifted from Goodwill
Today I am also thankful for my family, friends and of course my faith. I am extremely thankful that this color has come back in style and the suit still fits!
This has been another blessed week, with our oldest being accepted into the CLSC Program at the University of Delaware and tonight our youngest is graduating from Appoqunimink High School!
I don’t let grass grow under my feet either because in addition to working full time outside of the home I also sell Avon and have been since 2002. Honestly, I don’t have a large customer base but enjoy selling products for a company that has been in business for over 125 years!
I use Anew products on my face and I love how Avon has changed their clothing selections to keep in line with the current trends. Unfortunately, it eats into my profits but that’s okay because I love their accessories, the shoes, sneakers, scarves and especially the totes and purses.
Check out this comfy casual outfit that I wore at the end of April, it’s was totally thrifted from Goodwill but accessorized by Avon.
Scarf – Avon | Polka Dot Top – Goodwill
Polka Dot Sneakers – Avon | Skirt – Goodwill
Color Block Tote – Avon | Black Studded Pumps – The Salvation Army
Thank you all for voting last week and just as predicted it was a hard choice, but the winners were the
Payless Pumps!
One pair in this week’s contest is an entry into the Credit Card InsidersSplurge vs Save Campaign.
You all know that as much as I love shoes, I find it very difficult if not impossible to spend a lot of money on them, which is why I love to thrift or pay less!
So without further adieu here are this week’s choices:
Avon Black & White Forever Pumps
or
Enzo Angiolini Black Pumps
The black and white dress was purchased last summer on clearance for only $8.00 at JCPenney. Another way to save is to wait until the end of a retail season to buy clothes, which is usually a month or so before the end of the actual season so you’ll have plenty of time to wear them.
I added pops of color to the classic black and white combination with an orange necklace thrifted new from Goodwill, orange watch from Avon and a multi-color bracelet.
These black patent leather Enzo Angiolini pumps which I had once seen online for $59.99 at Nordstrom were thrifted from The Salvation Army for only $14.99,so they definitely were a Save vs a Splurge purchase!
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Hello Friends and Happy Hump Day Wednesday!
This week’s “You Choose The Shoes” may be a little bit more difficult because the shoes are similar in pattern and style, however, there can be only be one winner so I am really counting on you for this one.
Oh wait a minute, before we begin, here is the winner from last week’s challenge:
Thank you all for participating.
Okay, this week’s challenge is between Payless -vs- Ross
Because the dress is a simple purple sheath purchased from JCPenney, I knew it needed to be punched up with pops of color, so I added this necklace from Avon/Mark – what do you think?
Last season I wanted these pumps so badly that I drove to two Payless stores to get them. Thankfully, the Exton store called others and they found a pair in my size at the Concord Mall which is on my way home.
Okay, which ones do you choose?
You can see they are similar in color and pattern, but the heels on the Payless shoes are pink and the ones from Ross are gray. Can’t decide, take one more look then send me your choice.
Payless
Ross
BTW, hubby is now my photographer, which is why I may be smiling more. At first he made me nervous because he would give me these looks when I’d say, “nope, not right, let’s do it again“. However, I do think that he is enjoying himself but I have to watch him, otherwise, he’s focusing the camera on other parts of my body if you know what I mean!
I am getting so excited in anticipation for the heat of the summer as I’m sure a few of you are as well. Last week it was still a bit cool but the weekend more than made up for it with temps in the 80’s. I can’t wait until it’s officially pool time in just a few short weeks!
Today’s outfit is a combination of JCPenney, Citi Trends, Avon and Target.
The Peplum top is JC Penney, and I was never a big fan of them because I didn’t think they were flattering to my figure – what do you think?
This perfectly color coordinated purse is from Avon (Mark) #loveit Bracelet from Rugged Wearhouse and Necklace and Earring Set from Jewelrymax.net.
I not a big retail shopper and I try to stay away from the malls but I won’t rule out low-end shops like Rainbow, Deb and Citi Trends, which is where I purchased this pencil skirt. #dressforless
The black patent leather Mossimo pumps are from Tar’jay (Target). This is the outfit that I wore to work and later on that evening for teaching a Blogging 101 class at the Bear Library. It was very comfortable all day and worked well for both environments.
I love teaching these Blogging 101 classes because the attendees are awesome!
I’ll be stopping by to see Whitney Nic James for her Personal Style Linkup, come over if you get a chance. I hope you all have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya tomorrow.
Thanks to all my fabulous bloggy friends and followers and Congratulations to the winner of the Avon Collection Giveaway
Valerie Theberge
Congratulations Valerie Theberge
I thank you for your support and encouragement of DeDivahDeals.com, it has been a wonderful time in my life. I hope we continue this journey and stay together for many more years to come.
With every comment, like and Blog Nomination a spark is ignited in my spirit and an unexplainable joy fills my soul and for that I will always be grateful!
This week’s thrifted outfit was worn on St. Patrick’s Day and it snowed! However, instead of complaining, I was glad as it was the perfect weather in which to wear a maxi skirt and riding boots because tomorrow is the first day of Spring!
Not wanting to hear my son complain about it being too cold, even though he is on the inside taking the pictures, I stayed indoors for these pics.
The riding boots were purchased at the Goodwill store in Exton, PA and are the most expensive item that I’ve ever thrifted. For me, they were still a bargain at $18.99 because they were new and tagged at $39.99, which is way under the $50, which I was prepared to spend this winter.
Both the faux suede maxi skirt and wrap top were thrifted for $3.75 each.
Necklace | Flea Market Find // Watch | Avon
Ring | Payless // Bracelet | Michael’s
This week’s thrifted outfit was $26.49, but still a bargain, what do you think?
Now you know, I had to have at least one picture outdoors! I hope you all had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day and are enjoying this Hump Day Wednesday.
Hello Friends and Happy Saturday, I hope it’s sunny and warm where you are.
Remember the warning to Julius Caesar by the soothsayer, “beware the Ides of March” in the first act of Williams Shakespeare’s play? Well there’s no need for you to beware, unless you are afraid of Avon products, more importantly FREEAvon products!
In honor of my Blogoversary which is on the 29th of March, beginning today, the Ides of March and ending at midnight on the March 29th you can enter to win this fantastic Spring Collection from *Avon.
This is a non-sponsored giveaway, but is a personal gift from me to one of you!
This giveaway is just in time for the blooming of Spring to have you smelling as sweet as a rose or it would be a perfect Mother’s Day gift, so enter today to win.
Saturday our youngest son, al-Malik celebrated his 18th birthday, it was both exciting yet bittersweet. I can still remember the night I gave birth to him, 2 weeks early and all the pain he caused me during delivery. Now, he’s a senior in High School and soon will be leaving the nest…perhaps…maybe…let’s pray on it!
Anywho, hubby and I decided to spend the day together before taking him out to dinner later in the evening. My husband doesn’t usually like to go shopping with me, so it was definitely a treat, he even took these pictures. After all the snow and cold it turned out to be a nice winter Saturday so a sweater and ski vest was all that was needed.
My BFF commented that I looked like I was at a ski resort – I wish it were true because I’ve never been to one. #bucketlist
These are my favorite boots, not just because of the leopard print but because they are very warm so I don’t need to wear socks.
Polka Dot Jeans – JC Penney | Handbag – Mark by Avon
We went to Red Lobster which was Malik’s favorite when he was a little guy, and seeing him across the table now as a big guy was amazing. #blessed
Today is the 2nd week of the #WWDParty, and the link will be live at 6:00 p.m. So after you get home and wind down, come back and share a link or two of any of your posts from the week.
One of my favorite fashion blogs is FreeUrCloset and this week Nensi featured “How to Layer Like a Pro” which I wanted to try but am by no means a Pro! I can’t wear a lot of layers because I’m warm by nature and menopause definitely doesn’t make it any better so this is what I came up with.
Layer 1 and 2 if you count the Infinity Scarf
Layer 3 is the vest. Believe it or not, this Cable Knit Sweater once belonged to Gloria, my sister so that makes it at least 25 years old!
Boots | Rugged Wearhouse // Handbag | Mark by Avon
I broke them up and wore the skirt with a sleeveless tank thrifted from Goodwill
What are you thankful for this week?
