day 4: color me pink

day 4: color me pink

Day 4 and color me pink.    I love the color pink… and have for quite a while.  It just makes me feel happy, and I have it all over my world: pink hats, pink sheets, pink clothes, pink glasses, pink leashes and tote bags.  Pink fountain pens and pink sandals.  

So today was pretty much about pink. Woolamina seems to agree… and I am happy about that! Yep… she’s rocking the pink.

For those of you who still haven’t heard…I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. Part of my reasons for deciding to do this was to simplify my life, especially with the weekly travels.

 

Today’s goals:

  • Pick an outfit that works for cold, drizzly beach weather.
  • Read through Color Me Beautiful… and determine my “colors”
color me pink

By the way.. this was about the only sunny moment of the day — and it lasted about 5 minutes!

What’s in store for today:

It’s a lovely winter day at the coast in Southern Washington.  Mostly drizzly, with bursts of sunshine.  Chilly — Just over freezing when I went out for these photos.

dress and dog

Today, I threw on a waffle knit t-shirt over Woolamina, and covered them both with a  pink, fleece-lined vest, made by Berne .. I think I picked it up in a thrift store.

 

Boots are by KEEN.  SUPER comfortable — you can wear them for miles.  These amazing socks were from Amazon — wooly and thick!

And the little sterling and turquoise rabbit pin came from a trip to Santa Barbara.

dress and dogs

Coffee mug was a gift… but if you are interested, msg me and I will find out where it came from.

AND … my Christmas Cactus is FINALLY blooming!

Lots of Pink!!

So speaking of colors… I started into my book… Color Me Beautiful…..  And you might imagine my dismay when I first thought I was an AUTUMN color palette — which doesn’t have a shred of PINK in it! ( I know… shocking!)

color me pink

So I called my friend who recommended the book… and sent her some photos of things that you use to determine your color.

This is me… no makeup, natural lighting… warts and all.  I’m trying to figure it all out! Color me pink??

And she knows a lot more about this sort of thing than I do… so she said that she couldn’t be certain — long-distance and all — but that I just might be a summer.  And just because I adore certain colors (like pumpkin) does not mean they are the best on me.  She said to think back to when I wore something and people complimented me — not what I was actually wearing… like Wow, your skin looks great, or I never realized your eyes had so much green.

So I thought about it… and really, I think AM a SUMMER!!  I was just stuck with the thought that summers must all be blond and with blue eyes.

And Summer people can wear lots of pinks and turquoise and lavender…. and that means you can color me happy. 

color me pink

However, I still need to work on it some more to be sure — do a “drape test”.  This has been a very insightful and interesting book.  I am looking forward to using their method for purging my closet– make a second pass at decluttering.

Don’t miss out – sign up below to get notices of new #tracywearswool posts!

color me pink

Thanks for stopping in. 

– tracy

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative outfits that I can come up with!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

day 54: what a wonderful world

day 54: what a wonderful world

What a wonderful world full of possibilities out there.  Sure, it's not perfect, by any means, but it is still pretty wonderful... and awesome... at our choices everyday. Because everyday, we can decide how we want the day to go for us -- or at least how we will react...

read more
day 53: blue skies

day 53: blue skies

Nothing but blue skies, do I see. I know we are in the midst of an awful pandemic.  And that a lot of folks are suffering in a lot of different way. It hasn't been easy on anyone, that is for sure. But I believe in hope for a better tomorrow. And there has a great...

read more
day 52: fire on the mountain

day 52: fire on the mountain

Fire on the mountain Something I used to listen to, and it popped into my sound feed today. Such a pleasant thing to hear it again, after such a long time. Get up get out, get out the door -- SOUNDS LIKE MY DAY TODAY!For those of you new to this blog ...I am involved...

read more

day 3: dress and dogs

day 3: dress and dogs

Day 3 for the dress and dogs.  yes… I have two of them.  At first I was concerned that i would be covered with dog hair… I ordered the steel gray #Rowena.  But I must say that it hasn’t been a problem. 

Woolamina is the name I chose for my dress Woolamina Merino, to be formal.  And she is holding up beautifully…. dog hair and all.

For those of you who still haven’t heard…I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. Part of my reasons for deciding to do this was to simplify my life, especially with the weekly travels.

 

Today’s goal:

  • Pick an outfit that is comfortable and goes well with dogs.
  • Pack up and drive to the coast
dress and dogs

This is the Dude.  Not big on photos… More on the Dude and Rainey HERE!

What’s in store for today:

It’s a sunny winter day in Portland.  If you have ever seen the show Portlandia — you know how much we cherish the sunshine.  Everyone outside soaking up the vitamin D

But still quite brisk — low 40s.  So I will need to bundle up!!

Woolamina paired with a plaid flannel shirt by Jachs’ Girlfriend .

And my FAVORITE BOOTS, made by Chippewa. You can wear them all day long.  

 

Vest is by Orvis.  I have had this for years, and wear it with everything.  I love it with the Rowena.

dress and dog

Sterling necklace beads are from Mexico, and Pendant was from a stall in the French Market in New Orleans

Today’s outfit worked for me — comfortable, dogproof and yet not sloppy.

dress and dogs

That’s about it for my choice today’s dress and dogs outfit!

OH… and by the way.. last night’s class with Carla of the Appalachian Flatfooting & Clogging Academy was a blast.  I think I am going to sign up for a course.  Check it out HERE

Maybe not exactly what the instructor had in mind… just me acting silly last night!

dress and dogs

Off to the coast… stay tuned for more!

Don’t miss out – sign up below to get notices of new #tracywearswool posts!

rhythm

Thanks for stopping in. 

– tracy

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative outfits that I can come up with!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

day 54: what a wonderful world

day 54: what a wonderful world

What a wonderful world full of possibilities out there.  Sure, it's not perfect, by any means, but it is still pretty wonderful... and awesome... at our choices everyday. Because everyday, we can decide how we want the day to go for us -- or at least how we will react...

read more
day 53: blue skies

day 53: blue skies

Nothing but blue skies, do I see. I know we are in the midst of an awful pandemic.  And that a lot of folks are suffering in a lot of different way. It hasn't been easy on anyone, that is for sure. But I believe in hope for a better tomorrow. And there has a great...

read more
day 52: fire on the mountain

day 52: fire on the mountain

Fire on the mountain Something I used to listen to, and it popped into my sound feed today. Such a pleasant thing to hear it again, after such a long time. Get up get out, get out the door -- SOUNDS LIKE MY DAY TODAY!For those of you new to this blog ...I am involved...

read more

day 2: rhythm and the rain

day 2: rhythm and the rain

Day 2 for the dress. What’s my rhythm?  Decide in the morning what to wear or lay things out the night before?? Loaf in jammies until it’s time to get down to business .. then DRESS up? Lot’s to think on.

Being in the Pacific Northwest, we never know what the weather will bring…so we dress in layers. Sometimes LOTS of layers.  And by we… I mean me and the dress, who still has not been named.  Dress of the t’Ubervilles?? Dressie Smith??? Woolamina??   (I am leaning towards the last!)

The Dress — ok Woolamina Merino–  and I hit it off was amazing on her first day — carried me through the inauguration, out for errands and a music class, dinner with my daughter and, ended up at the inaugural ball. We hit it off fast – she and I.  From the first moment — it was comfortable and easy. Tennessee Waltz in 3/4 time.

For those of you who still haven’t heard…I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. Part of my reasons for deciding to do this was to simplify my life, especially with the weekly travels.

Today’s goal:

  • figure out a comfortable, but not dumpy look — using my existing clothes.
  • Decide if there is a rhythm to this challenge… and what that means in day to day habits.

 

rhythm

I may be smitten with her, but she needs her space… so she hangs alone at night.

What’s in store for today:

We have some rain.. and then possibly not.  Then more rain. And another busy day…. more drumming class – Advanced Rhythm (NO snickering from any of my 4 children born between 1980-1986). And I have another trip to Costco (meh), fill up with gas, organizing a bookcase, hanging some pictures,  blogging, knitting, and

my online class for  Applacian Flatfooting and Clogging!

 

At present, I’m still in Portland, until I head back to the Beach Tomorrow.

I live between two places at the moment – Mostly in my RV at the Beach, and part of the week in Portland Oregon. See more about my lifestyle HERE

rhythm

Me and Woolamina ready to head out.  I have on an ancient fair isle sweater from United Colors of Bennetton,  equally ancient Ann Taylor Loft windbreaker, and my super comfortable, ever-trusty Hunter rain boots.  (More about these boots HERE)

That’s about it for the dress, and the rhythm and the rain.  But I do have some other dress related things to share!

rhythm

“Have you had your colors done???”

That’s what my friend Marie asked me the other day.  It was during a discussion about clothes… and she said that she looks dreadful in orange.  I personally LOVE oranges… pumpkins, butternut squash, cayenne,  all the oranges except maybe traffic cone orange.

So she asked me the question and told me that she was a SUMMER, and summer’s don’t usually do well with orange.  At least, that’s what I think she said.  And then she told me about this book that came out in the ’80s with great information on picking the right colors so you look you best.

Bottom line, I found the book HERE… and am going to do some research on what are the best colors for me and Woolamina!

Don’t miss out – sign up below to get notices of new #tracywearswool posts!

rhythm

Thanks for stopping in. –

– tracy

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative outfits that I can come up with!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

day 54: what a wonderful world

day 54: what a wonderful world

What a wonderful world full of possibilities out there.  Sure, it's not perfect, by any means, but it is still pretty wonderful... and awesome... at our choices everyday. Because everyday, we can decide how we want the day to go for us -- or at least how we will react...

read more
day 53: blue skies

day 53: blue skies

Nothing but blue skies, do I see. I know we are in the midst of an awful pandemic.  And that a lot of folks are suffering in a lot of different way. It hasn't been easy on anyone, that is for sure. But I believe in hope for a better tomorrow. And there has a great...

read more
day 52: fire on the mountain

day 52: fire on the mountain

Fire on the mountain Something I used to listen to, and it popped into my sound feed today. Such a pleasant thing to hear it again, after such a long time. Get up get out, get out the door -- SOUNDS LIKE MY DAY TODAY!For those of you new to this blog ...I am involved...

read more
day one – the dress arrives

day one – the dress arrives

The dress arrived!! Yahoo… and just in the nick of time!  I am so excited to get started with this challenge!!

For those of you who haven’t heard…I have been invited to do a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  — and I am starting on 1/20/21.  i hope…

Today’s goal:

  • become familiar with the dress… and experiment with “dressing” it up and down!!

 

the dress

What’s in store for today:

I have a lot of stuff going on today…. and I wanted to try on a few looks… so here they are:

the dress

Did a quick weather check.  Paired the dress with a down plaid pink Land’s End vest.

Really… just wanted to show you what the dress looked like!

Shoes are  Sperry Topsiders and  I picked up some Secret Treasures 80 denier super opaque tights.  I think I am going to order some of their leggings (under $6!)

 

the dress

Getting ready for the inauguration. A pretty exciting time in history… and I live-streamed it on my laptop.   Thought I would pair the dress with a soft wrap….

 Did you catch Lady Gaga singing the National Anthem?

 

the dress

This for the rest of the day: drumming class, getting a trailer hitch installed, and going grocery shopping with my daughter, Number 1. (You can catch her in action in the post about purging…. where she weighed in on my wardrobe — go HERE!)

I am wearing a cropped courdory Levi Jacket and a scarf that I knit … and dyed the wool… a few years back.

This will be super comfortable.

That’s about it for the dress.  But I do have some other dress related things to share!

the dress

Check these SUPER COOL converse low tops.  Chuck Taylor’s with a twist.  And they match my sunglasses.  I’ll be sure to wear these !!

Found them at Goodwill.

 

the dress

And super cool leggings. These will put some spunk in my stride.  Whoa….

Found them at Walmart.

the dress

This is just the beginning od the dress story.  Just wait until tomorrow… I signed up for an online into  class for  Applacian Flatfooting and Clogging!

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative outfits that I can come up with!

CLICK BELOW TO GET NOTICES OF NEW DRESS POSTS!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

day 54: what a wonderful world

day 54: what a wonderful world

What a wonderful world full of possibilities out there.  Sure, it's not perfect, by any means, but it is still pretty wonderful... and awesome... at our choices everyday. Because everyday, we can decide how we want the day to go for us -- or at least how we will react...

read more
day 53: blue skies

day 53: blue skies

Nothing but blue skies, do I see. I know we are in the midst of an awful pandemic.  And that a lot of folks are suffering in a lot of different way. It hasn't been easy on anyone, that is for sure. But I believe in hope for a better tomorrow. And there has a great...

read more
day 52: fire on the mountain

day 52: fire on the mountain

Fire on the mountain Something I used to listen to, and it popped into my sound feed today. Such a pleasant thing to hear it again, after such a long time. Get up get out, get out the door -- SOUNDS LIKE MY DAY TODAY!For those of you new to this blog ...I am involved...

read more
SHOES – IN FOR THE RUNNING

SHOES – IN FOR THE RUNNING

LET’S TALK SHOES. IT’S A FEW DAYS AND COUNTING DOWN TO #TRACYWEARSWOOL  100 DAY DRESS CHALLENGE.  AND I AM ANXIOUSLY (STILL) WAITING ON THE MAIL… YIKES, CUTTING IT CLOSE.

For those of you who haven’t heard…I have been invited to do a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  — and I am starting on 1/20/21.  i hope…

Today’s goals:

  • take a realistic look at the shoes that I currently have — and decide which will work for the challenge.
  •  Get rid of the shoes that I no longer need.

 

What’s in my closet:

These are the shoes that I think will work for this challenge.  I have more shoes that are in Portland.   I paired them up with leggings because it is in the dead of winter, and a skirt… just to give me an idea about how it would look. And I did not include ALL my shoes.  For instance… I did not include my trusty KEEN hiking boots that have about 800 miles on them, because I just don’t think I will wear them with “the dress”…. or will I???

What’s in my closet:

shoes

These are my most favorite Crocs.  I got them at the Croc outlet in California a few years back.  At first, I was not so crazy… because they pinched my toes.  So I put them in a big pot, and poured boiling water into the toes.  Then I put on 2 thick pairs of wool socks, took the shoes out of the water and put them on my feet.  Lo and behold, they stretched out a bit and molded to my feet.  Now I can’t take them off. Super comfortable, and perfect for rainy weather. 

KEEPERS.

shoes

I LOVE my KEENS.  These, I got off EBAY — someone bought the wrong size, or got them as a gift, or whatever.  Their loss is my gain.  I wear them with everything from shorts to dresses.  Super comfortable, nice wide toe bed.  And everyone should have a pair of tennis that they love!

KEEPERS

shoes

More KEENS. Decidedly more girly, these have been in my closet for about 3 years.  And I love them to death.  I think they would work really well with the dress.  Unfortunately, the elastic on one of the straps is a little stretched out.  But, they would be worth fixing.

REPAIR

These boots are actually one of my favorites.  But to be honest, they have been hiding at the bottom of my shoe storage for most of the year.   And you can tell — definitely in need of polishing and clean up.  But since they are super comfortable, I’ll do a little rehab.  And hopefully, by thinning out my shoe selection, they will not be hidden away.

KEEPERS

SHOES

It is funny how taking a photo gives you a completely different perspective on something.  Looking at these boots, I can see that they look awful and bunch.  Not at all flattering.  I like them because they have a fleece lining. But that’s about it. Since I have a pair of Hunter wellingtons in Portland… I think these should go. Someone will love them… just not me.

DONATE

shoes

These are my substitutes for slippers… well these and some incredibly ratty Uggs that I didn’t photograph — because I will NOT be wearing the uggs with the dress.  But these, I might.  I wear them with socks, or bare — it’s just nice to have something to throw on.  Super comfortable, versatile, easy to wear, and fun. Not terribly fashionable.

KEEPERS

SHOES

I got these on Amazon a few months back.  And when I saw this photo, I thought  — HORRIBLE.  But, I think they would do much better if NOT those tights and NOT that skirt.  Perhaps they will be fine with the Dress, and with black tights or leggings. Photo was a learning experience. They are super functional for our rainy weather. Great for pulling on and running down to the beach… they hose right off. Ohhh- and they are flece lined – so you don’t need socks! (More HERE

 

shoes

Yes.. another pair of KEENs.  My go to for warm weather.  I wore the heck out of these in California.  Had them for at least 3 years.  They go with just about everything I own, are super comfortable, and easy to clean (been to pottery studio and survived!!) I love that they offer toe protection while still being sandals.

KEEPERS

SHOES

You may be saying to yourself — “Dear Lord, what was she thinking???”  And honestly, that was my first impression when I saw this photo.   My daughter calls them my Nun shoes. BUT…. I bought these for a specific purpose — I had a job that required black shoes, and to stand on my feet for long periods of time on hard surfaces.  And these are the most comfortable for that.  Perhaps… I will try them with black tights…. and maybe polish them up before making a decision.

UNDECIDED

AND CAN’T WAIT UNTIL MY DRESS COMES!!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGE!

So there you have it.  These are pretty much the shoes I wear the most.  Doing an inventory and photographing them has helped me decide what to keep, what to donate, and what needs a little attention.  I would like to get rid of what I am able to keep.I also found another pair of KEENS that I am ordering to round out my footware. (SEE HERE)

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative outfits that I can come up with!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

day 54: what a wonderful world

day 54: what a wonderful world

What a wonderful world full of possibilities out there.  Sure, it's not perfect, by any means, but it is still pretty wonderful... and awesome... at our choices everyday. Because everyday, we can decide how we want the day to go for us -- or at least how we will react...

read more
day 53: blue skies

day 53: blue skies

Nothing but blue skies, do I see. I know we are in the midst of an awful pandemic.  And that a lot of folks are suffering in a lot of different way. It hasn't been easy on anyone, that is for sure. But I believe in hope for a better tomorrow. And there has a great...

read more
day 52: fire on the mountain

day 52: fire on the mountain

Fire on the mountain Something I used to listen to, and it popped into my sound feed today. Such a pleasant thing to hear it again, after such a long time. Get up get out, get out the door -- SOUNDS LIKE MY DAY TODAY!For those of you new to this blog ...I am involved...

read more
CLOTHES PURGING: THE FIRST PASS

CLOTHES PURGING: THE FIRST PASS

4 DAYS AND COUNTING DOWN TO #TRACYWEARSWOOL  100 DAY DRESS CHALLENGE:  GETTING READY  BY  CLOTHES PURGING — CLEARING OUT THE EXCESS CLOTHES IN MY CURRENT WARDROBE!

For those of you who haven’t heard…I have been invited to do a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  — and I am starting on 1/20/21.

Today’s goal:

  • COMPLETE inventory of what clothes I have now.
  •  Clothes purging: get rid of the excess to make way for new wardrobe choices

 

(And to see more of RAINEY… she has her own page & story HERE!)

I started with t-shirts.

This is what I had left… after I got rid of 7 shirts.  I felt bad… like I hadn’t accomplished much.  So I tossed out (rather put in the donation bag) 17 undershirts.  I don’t even know when I last wore one… I kept 2… just because it seemed right.

clothes purge

Next up… pants

old clothes

This is actually the before photo of the pants.  I ended up tossing out 3 pairs of capris, and 2 long pants.  And I set aside 4 pairs of long pants that are too small — if they are still too small by March 1st… they will be donated.  Oh… and I kept the skirts and shorts.

Moving on to sweaters and sweatshirts.

clothes purging

There are actually more sweaters in the close — but this was just from my bags.  And this is a before photo — I ended up keeping 6 of the heavy sweaters, 4 sweatshirts, and 5 of the lighter weight sweaters. 

And now the real fun begins… I got my daughter to help via zoom, as I went through part of my closet…..

I FEEL PRETTY GOOD… LIKE I MADE SOME REAL PROGRESS.

clothes purge

AND I ORDERED THESE AWESOME PACKING CUBES SO THAT I CAN ORGANIZE MY CLOTHES BETTER FOR WEEKLY TRAVEL. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE!!

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative outfits that I can come up with!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

day 63 of tracywearswool: down on the corner

day 63 of tracywearswool: down on the corner

tracywearswool day 63 out of 100 -- just loving my Woolamina I never thought I would love her this month.  I was skeptical in the beginning... I mostly wore pants... 95% of the time... and she was, well, a dress. But all relationships require compromise -- so I have...

read more
day 62 of #tracywearswool:  hooked on a feeling

day 62 of #tracywearswool: hooked on a feeling

tracywearswool day 62 out of 100 -- I'm definitely hooked on a feeling -- and it is not just the super fine merino wool! It's a liberating feeling -- not having to worry about what to wear, not have to worry about doing all sorts of laundry, and a feeling of general...

read more

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