landlubber

I have always had a love for the nautical look. A striped boat neck, linens, white bottoms, deck shoes and some sort of canvas tote are all quintessentially cruise worthy or not...depending on one's sea legs.

Quite a chic couple sporting such spiffy duds ready for any dock!

Do you bring along something fun on vacation, a festive happy little skirt.

Paired with a shirt or a little tank, this skirt would take me many places.

Perfect for those who are traveling South of the Border, right?

Are you on board for something sea worthy in your wardrobe or are you more of a land lubber when it comes to fashion?

short story

Summer and shorts seem to go together. So, tell me - do you wear shorts and what kind of shorts? Love to hear your comment, keep it short and sweet.

fashion illustration for J.McLaughlin

hot and sunny

High temperatures can sure present a challenge to one to look "hot and sunny" while remaining cool, calm and collected. I was sharing my fashion portfolio with my daughter and she loved this illustration. She said, "Oh - Mommy, I love the coordinating shoes!"

So, tell me, how do you remain cool and calm during the high heat of July. We loved watching the world cup and seeing all the spectators wearing jackets and scarves.

Hop over to Laura Casey, how could I refuse a pve giveaway - to someone so calm, so cool and so sunny! Take a look at Laura's Interior Design work on her site while you are there!

collars up

pve design illustration - for JMcLaughlin Fall Advertisement

"Collars up" ~ This fine gal is sporting a fun casual fall look - a shirt with the collars "popped' - a boyfriend vest in merino wool and a generous "Aken" tote constructed of wool felt billiard cloth. Grosgrain ribbon touches give a fun preppy accent to a gingham shirt. My illustration was in Quest Magazine for J.McLaughlin.

Do you wear your collars popped or not?

sharp suitors

My parents sporting suits in front of my mother's home in Louisville, Kentucky

Meet Paul & Jean.  Paul wooed Jean.  The courtship began with a "blind date" and swiftly they were in love and married.  

pve design, fashion illustration for J.Mclaughlin - a jacket over a white shirt and jeans

illustrated for a ad campaign

Seven children were born along with a family business.  All still growing strong. Fast forward to now.  Sixty years of marriage.  Mom and Dad, you are the best.  I love how you just keep on going, staying positive, perky, loving life and all that comes along.   Just like a well made suit.

Never out of fashion when it is well made, tailored to stand the test of time.

"The Sartorialist" - chic, "shopping your own closet" - re-mix of suits

I am a sucker for things like bound buttonholes and dressmaker or tailor details.

You both suit one another so well and I admire you each day.  My dear Dad still has the suit I helped select for him to wear nearly twenty years ago.  Accessorized over the years to keep it fresh.  Suits truly are a great investment.  They stand the test of time.  I wore a suit that belonged to my Great Aunt Louise on my honeymoon.  A deep navy, a wool ottoman, and a sharp cut, and fab buttons and bound buttonholes.

A Jacket added to jeans and a tank suddenly look dressed up and polished

(Jacket by Marc Jacobs)  This could be an easy vintage find, a jacket and vest.

Spring is in the air, and the time seems right for a classic suit in a lightweight wool.  Perhaps a texture, a pique pattern.  I may not work in a corporate environ nor need a full suit but I do enjoy looking respectable every now and again with a simple suit jacket or a flat pencil skirt or classic suit trouser.  

As I "shop my own closet"- I see old friends, secret admirers and suitors wooing me.

What Spring suitor is wooing you?  Does an interview require a suit?  Love your thoughts?