Orange Crush…
{MY DYT Type One Style Jacket Joe Fresh, thrifted similar here
Sequin Skirt Joe Fresh, bought on clearance lace skirt here
Striped Cotton Top Joe Fresh, bought on clearance similar here
Scarf, Sparkly Shoes, and Purse thrifted}
Hello, and good Monday morning! I’m going to jump right in today and ask how many of you have down-sized your home, but have yet to down-size your lifestyle? I myself am in a bit of a quandary right now, it seems. The rambling two level, four bedroom home with formal living and dining room is long gone. Well, the house is still there, and has been renovated beyond our wildest dreams. Okay, that’s not true either. When we sold our home, we passed on architectural drawings depicting a New England style face lift and an addition over the garage. The new owners actually did the renovations, and so now when I visit one of my besties that lives across the street, I can see my wildest dream a reality….for someone else to enjoy. {Insert heavy sigh here} I have to remind myself that they get the damp, and the dark, and the other neighbours as well. Anyways, fast forward to today, this moment. My dining room table, the one the mister had to saw an end off of in order to fit it into the little rental cottage we moved into…Yes seriously, but it’s okay; he designed and made the table from old fir floorboards and turned legs, and any tweaks we have made to the table over the years have been seamless. Oh dear, where was I? Oh yes, the dining room table is at present, heavily weighted with all things Sue. The dining room is now my sewing room, and my art studio, and pretty much my all things creative room. Not to mention it is still our dining room. It’s apparent that I live by the adage that creative people need to surround themselves with all their stuff in order to really be creative. If I’m working on a painting, I cannot pack everything up at the end of the day and expect myself to bring it all out again the next day. Nuh uh…my easel, my canvas, my paints, brushes; they all have to be right there on the east end of the dining room table where the light from the north window hits just right, ready and waiting for the next moment of inspiration to hit. Meanwhile, the west end of the table is currently playing host to my sewing machine. Various alterations, and the beginning stages of the coveted tulle skirt so popular with personal style bloggers are currently being taken to task. Yes it’s true, I wanted to live in a home where the mister and I would be comfortably close, where I didn’t feel adrift in a sea of unused space. I admit, I felt virtuous down-sizing my living quarters by more than half. Heck, our old garage was larger than that first little rental. I felt a little smug driving past houses with cathedral ceilings, walk-through pantries, and four bathrooms. But here, today, right now, I am craving a little more space to call my own. Is this how it starts? Asking for just one more room? Or perhaps one more room, and a garage. Just a single garage with maybe a little potting area at the rear. I’m a little uncertain now. Is it time to down-size my lifestyle, to let go of hobbies and activities? Or do the mister and I fly in the face of reason, and consider what was once the unthinkable? Do I really desire to once again live large? Or do I actually just crave spring, and the new beginnings and transformations that the season brings?
Okay enough of my ramble, and a word about my outfit today. I’ve said it before, here, and I’ll say it again. I am crushing on Joe Fresh. Today’s outfit, partly thrifted, partly clearance items is all Joe, and all Fresh. Joe Fresh is partnering with JC Penney, and so, my American friends, you too will be able to wear Joe Fresh if you so choose. Great quality at affordable prices {the skirt and top, though on clearance, were just $10.00 each}. Please take a second look at this beautiful striped cotton top. The stripes line up beautifully, and I for one, appreciate that attention to detail. Just sayin’.
Linking up with:
Amy of Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins for Fridays Five
Jenny of Plane Pretty for Sunday Style
Patti of Not Dead Yet Style for: Visible Monday
Shana of ColorBlind for Thrifters Anonymous
Wendy at Young Heart Old Soul for The Weekly Thrift
Amber of Real Girl Glam for Real Girl Style
Lindsey of The Pleated Poppy for What I wore Wednesday
Alison of Get Your Pretty On for I Feel Pretty
Sherry of The Life of The Party for Friday Fashion Informant
65 Comments
Such a vibrant orange, it looks great!
That's such a cute outfit, Sue! I love the orange colors – the scarf is so pretty, the stripes so peppy, the skirt so feminine. I just got white tights, too. I wasn't sure I'd like them, but I love them! Yours look great with your outfit – looks like you're going out for the evening?
We haven't downsized – my husband works from home and needs a certain amount of space. But we use every room, and I have a “craft room” of my own. It's a lovely jumble of fabrics, beads, wires, glue, paper, paint, ribbons. I love having a separate space for it all, but I really need to decorate it and make it my own.
Sue, I follow a few style blogs but I'm mostly a reader, not a commenter. Something about your fashion choices always gets me! I love your colors, the way you mix textures, you are always fun and appropriate at the same time, which can be tough sometimes..I'm just in love with your style! This orange coat is to die for!
Ooh, deep thoughts for a Monday, Sue. I can relate to the need for more space as we prepare for a little on in a one-bedroom apt! But it would be a crying shame to give up your hobbies. My sister is an artist, college instructor and a Mom – she paints in a corner in her bedroom because of lack of space!
LOVE the orange, and the way it pops with the white, like a Creamsicle! Xo
oooh how i love that coat! you seem to look fabulous in everything, but you look especially fantastic in orange 🙂
i adore joe fresh, too, and you're right about their quality and attention to detail. there is a great one on queen street in toronto…if only it wasn't 3.5 hours away!
You look gorgeous. Lovin' the orange!
Shirl
Oh Sue, you look fabulous! My first look fell on your wonderful lace skirt. The second on your nice striped sweater and the scarf with the dots, a great pattern mix, and my third on your fabulous shoes. And with each look I love it more, your outfit.
By the way my dinnertable is my working place too, although I have a nice working table in my guest and clothing room. When my children were young we used to do everything at this table, homework, painting, playing. And I still pefer to stay there. No problem when we are only two for dinner. I only have to clear it when the whole family arrives.
Lieben Gruß von Sabine
We just downsized from a small cottage to a smaller condo, with a tiny garage space. I do miss my garden sometimes, but the move has been wonderful, so much less stuff and more time to spend with my husband. But my hobbies are mostly stuff-free (writing, reading, biking, going to pubs : >) and yours require more stuff/space. Don't give them up if you love them!
And btw, your orange outfit is glorious! Thanks for sharing with Vis Monday : >
Love that orange! I have some orange fabric and I was trying to think what I could make with it. That skirt is sooooo fun! As always, adorable. I can sure relate to the downsizing. My husband and I moved into a smaller house 15 years ago. It's been a double edged sword because I have lots of hobbies that take space. Sewing namely. And fewer places for my books. Don't let go of your hobbies. Just find creative ways to store things and be really selective about what you bring home. My big thing is this: learn to use vertical space–because sooner or later, you run out of floor space!
Thanks for the inspiration, as always!
i just love this colorful look! that scarf is so cute 🙂
~Chioma
C's Evolution of Style
You look great! I vote for keeping the hobbies. And a fullness in your house is characterful. Sparse and hidden is so boring!!
May i say first that you should be the poster girl for Joe Fresh!
You wear those clothes so well
I like Joe Fresh but we have to go to Loblaws and it's a bit far for me.
That skirt is wonderful , and all the pretty orange, you just spakle
About the toughts you are having right stick to your cottage, we have a big house and wish one day will downsize, too much work those big houses!
Ariane xxx
Love your bright oranges with that pretty little lace skirt, Sue.
You know we are in the process of downsizing and at the moment it feels fabulous. We aren't actually living in our downsizedness 🙂 till tomorrow, but I'm excited to get there and go through all our (still) tons of stuff and eliminate even more. We have gotten rid of our larger sized dining set and will be purchasing a small 3 piece dinette set for our little dining area. I do not have crafty hobbies like yourself so the main thing that takes up room for me is my clothes….which my goal is to minimize as much as possible over the next couple of years.
I have watched many youtube videos on how to get creative with small spaces. You can't give up your hobbies, so maybe you can get more creative with ways to use the space you have.
Good luck!
Sue, I looove your colour! We need you to walk up and down the sidewalks of Vancouver all day just to spread that brilliance.
You sound restless in your space. Maybe you're right and you just crave spring. At least that is a remedy that advances with each new day.
Love the bright orange and the questions you ponder…I can't imagine that the answer would be to shrink your creativity…
Cute outfit, great spring colors! I hear you on the whole space issue, we decided to downsize three years ago and we are still tweaking. Some days I miss all the space and the acres of land, but like you, only have to think of the awful neighbor and the other positives, and I am glad we did it. It is hard when you are creative, my dining room table has been a mess many times over!
How fun is this! I love the bright colors and that skirt is great! You look great! I'm dying for warm weather to match the clothes I want to wear!
Ginny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
You look fabulous in these bright colors! I like how the striped tee becomes sort of a staple, and doesn't detract from the pattern on the scarf!
loving that skirt x
Orange is a great color on you!
Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget
I really like this outfit, the orange is just so happy. I can't beleive you thrifted that cute scarf, love it.
So glad I found you via Visible Monday!
I love orange, it's such a happy and bright colour! You look lovely!
Sita xx
http://buttonsapart.blogspot.co.uk/
Loving the color palette here! Not to mention the stunning setting
xL
Enter to win a $300 Shopping Spree!
Woo-hoo! That orange is a fantastically happy color. I don't wear orange because it isn't a good match for my coloring. But it looks absolutely great on you, and it really made me smile to see this outfit.
Sue … I'm so in love with this outfit that my husband should be a little jealous. Kidding … but only a little. So rich, it just steals my breath.
Much of my blog was for you, today … my Liebster response, in part!
Thanks for letting me talk your ear off from time to time!
Sue, you cute Diva you! Love, love the pic with the sunset, or is it sunrise colors behind. Looks like a match made in heaven. I understand what you're saying about small vs. large houses. Our home is way bigger than hubby and I need. And now we are finishing the basement. Do I just need something new to blog about? lol! No, seriously I just felt that if we were going to do it we should do it while our grandies were still young. Although I do love our home, you don't get the same coziness as you do with a small home.
hugs,
Jann
Those sparkly shoes were a great thrift score! So cute. I love all these bright colors on you, and that scarf is adorable 🙂
You look so fabulous in this bright outfit, Sue! I love the gorgeous setting, too.
I downsized my home about a year ago, and although wasn't nearly to the extent you have, it was nice to get rid of some of the omnipresent *stuff* that accumulates in extra closets and the attendant housekeeping obligations. I try to remember that when I am missing my old space.
You look great in your all orange ensemble. Sparkly.
We're just right in our house I think. A typical Chicago two-flat that's been converted into a single family home. The rooms are smallish but with high ceilings. Being both artists, we have his and hers studio spaces. All the rooms are switched to what we like best for that space. So it's unconventional with a book room, a museum/archive room, a painting room, a sewing room, a dressing room, office, bed/sitting room and TV room. And of course, the kitchen and bathroom.
You're wearing my favorite color and you look fabulous in it! So fresh and pretty! About the downsizing: we never really “up-sized” so our house isn't overly big, but I'd really like to try living in an RV. Just can't figure out what to do with all of the china, and shoes, and clothes, and…you get the picture. I feel your pain 🙂
Heather from Friendship, Life and Style
Sue, I feel artistic but with my clothes/fashion/style. My Mom was great at looking great and she is my example. But I am not a painting artist, but I feel I could do Jackson Pollack type paintings. At my hair stylist the salon has modern art on the walls and I am always treating that place like a gallery and staring at the paintings there. hahahahahaha. I am a dork. Thanks for the nice noticing of the gold pairing with black and gray. I was in so hope that someone would comment the way you did! THANK YOU!
This is my favourite outfit of yours so far. You look like a ray of sunshine in it.
After living in downtown Toronto in a very tiny place and now in the burbs in a much larger house it would be hard to go back to something small again. I feel for your lack of space. The great thing is that living on the West Coast you can get outside most of the time. Kind of makes up for the cramped quarters : )
bisous
Suzanne
This is one of my favorite outfits yet! You look like an artist with that great scarf. It is so pretty. Oh and the gorgeous jacket and design on that great skirt are perfect.
I look forward to downsizing someday, less bathrooms to clean! 🙂
Thank you Kelly. You've put some things in perspective. By Euro standards I have a great deal of space. And it sounds as though you sister has had to creative with how she uses her space too.
I have to agree that the hominess of the dining room table is appealing to me. And knowing that someone else functions as I do is very helpful. I appreciate your input very much Sabine. Thank you.
I sometimes wish I could have more stuff-free hobbies Patti. And, by the way, I love that going to pubs is a hobby. Right on! You're right, I can't give them up.
Ah Hah! Vertical space. Thanks for the word about that Crystal. I will definitely start looking at the space I have differently.
Such a warm way to put it! Thanks!
It's true, bigger house equals more work. Thanks for the sweet words Ariane.
I'm going to be watching your blog for tips Lisa! You know it. 🙂
Ah, a kindred spirit! Yeah!
It's obviously making you happy right now Jann, and that's the most important thing.
Oh, what an ah ha moment, thanks Tam! In our larger home, we had space to keep stuff that was just cluttering our lives.
Thank you.
Pao, your space sounds amazing. Hope to see more of it on your blog.
Heather, I have two relatives from different sides of the family that live in their RVs and they Love it. I know one couple started with a storage space for their treasures, then they just started to let things go. Very freeing…
And we are lucky…we are not in a downtown Vancouver 500 sq ft box. And, you're right, we do get a lot of outdoor time.
Alison, that is so true, LOL. I remember that cleaning all the bathrooms I had was no fun.
Absolutely love the outfit – such a beautiful colour for you and the background is equally stunning. Kudos to your photographer.
I'm happy that Joe Fresh and JCP teamed up. I've always been so jealous that I can't get it here! I LOVE your skirt.
You look freaking amazing in orange. I especially like the circle scarf and striped top. I'm going to have to reconsider Joe Fresh.
I just wanted to let you know that I loved this outfit so much I've included you in my Favourite fashions.
Have a great holiday weekend!
bisous
Suzanne
Wow! Such a gorgeous outfit and the photography is amazing! I've just started hearing about Joe Fresh lately. I must check it out soon.
Thank you so very much Suzanne! I really appreciate the acknowledgement!
Hey Marjorie, thanks so much! The mister does indeed deserve the kudos!
Thanks Jessica. Yes, I think it will be a very positive partnership for the brand here and in the US.
I think there has been a big media presence with the new partnership.
First, orange looks lovely on you! Second- I like the idea of living small… Maybe you just need to re-arrange and look into new storage options (?). Regardless, I wish you luck with it. 🙂
Visiting from the link up. Would love it if you stopped by and checked out my blog and said hello :).
Agi:)
vodkainfusedlemonade.com
Sue, I have some catching up to do, but this post just made me smile and smile and smile. As you already know, I love to mix polka dots and stripes but I don't even come close to having such a fun and vibrant outfit as this one. What a happy combinations and the photo's are PERFERCT. I also really enjoyed your entire post, got a kick out of your 'creative room' but I also can relate on so many basis. I do think spring does this to us.
SOOO beautiful! I just love the Orange palette and you look wonderful!
Hey Agi, I popped on over and said hello. I had been joking about visiting you via Hawaii…
Thanks Abby. I appreciate your visit and your comment.
Like that orange and your sparkly shoes!
When I look at these pictures I feel lightheaded because I love this outfit so much!! The colors!! The texture!! And you look so happy in it. 🙂