(ABOVE) Outside Ralph Lauren, left, and vlogging, right, at Waterside Shops.
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June 27, 2017 / Video Post Notes
Silencing My Inner Critic
Sometimes I just want to wear something easy, loose fitting, and comfortable. This outfit is one of those. It’s the kind where I don’t have to think. Just dress and go.
I was meeting two friends for lunch–one of them from Ireland, whom I hadn’t seem in about a year or so. It was hot and overcast. I planned to do a lot of walking, and I just didn’t feel like putting much effort into my outfit. I wanted to look nice, but I also just wanted to be me and, honestly, the true, real me is imperfect and disheveled, and sometimes wants to choose comfort over what others may consider is stylish or fashionable.
I always strive to be appropriate for the occasion–I don’t want to offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable. But I also don’t ever want to put so much serious concern in my appearance that I’m uptight.
When I do that I’m nervous and unbalanced, and totally occupied with what other people may or may not think of me. Because of that, I’m not focused on more important things: Like trying to stay in the moment, and be open and light of heart. It’s why I like wearing my makeup light (or none at all) and my hair long and, mostly, unstyled. This keeps me from getting too caught up in and worried about how I look.
The problem is, these days light-hearted me sometimes struggles with style blogger me.
Take for example these jeans. They’re too large for me, but I’d already washed them when I figured that out, so I couldn’t return them. The frugal person I am couldn’t give them up–especially since they were comfortable this way. So, two years and multiple high-heat wash and dries later, they’re still in my closet.
On the day of this video, style blogger me opposed wearing them. “You can’t,” she said.”We’re filming today!” The other me–the real me–knew the outfit was perfectly fine for a casual lunch with friends.
Plus, when I started my blog and YouTube Channel, I promised myself–and all of you–that I would show you the real me, not some made up version of who I think you want me to be.
So, as you’ll see in this post, I ignored style blogger me and did what real me wanted. 🙂
~ Janis Lyn Johnson
(ABOVE) Although it was a breezy, overcast day, I still wore my Kate Spade Prescription (Sun) Glasses and Lifeguard Hat. The sun sneaks through those clouds!
I headed first to Nordstrom Rack in North Naples, and then to Nordstrom at Waterside Shops, just two miles south. I was looking for a pair of tan or nude leather, mid-height, block-heel sandals to wear them with pants, jeans, and casual skirts and dresses.
In the end, I didn’t have any luck finding any neutral leather, block-heel sandals that fit me–I even went on line to several shops but had no luck, arrgghh–but I loved the below styles. My search continues…
(ABOVE) Aldo Sandals.
(ABOVE) Tory Burch Sandals. (Also here.)
(ABOVE) Coach Sandals.
(ABOVE) Coconuts Sandal.
(ABOVE & BELOW) At Nordstrom Rack, no luck with the block-heel sandals but I did get distracted by scalloped-detail Kate Spade Flats (cute alternatives here, here, here) and navy and gold Jack Rogers sandals.
I love both of these classics, and own a similar pair of “Jacks” myself. I’ll be featuring them in my upcoming Favorites June/July 2017 video, and telling all about their history–which includes an interesting connection to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Well…sort of. You’ll find out the fascinating reason behind the confusion when you see my Favorites 2017 video!
(ABOVE & BELOW) Heading to Louis Vuitton on this hazy day at Waterside Shops.
(ABOVE) I waited for this from Paris for four months. Watch my video to find out why I ordered it–and what on earth it is.
(ABOVE) At California Pizza Kitchen, my friends Bernadette (visiting from Ireland), left, and Nell, right.
Bernadette and Nell ordered spicy Buffalo Cauliflower (ABOVE) and Avocado Club Egg Rolls (BELOW). I forgot to photograph my Waldorf Chicken Salad. I ordered it without the candied walnuts, cheese, and salad dressing. (CPK Menu here).
See my salad dressing recipe here; the glass, leak-proof, 4-oz. bottle I carry it in here; and why I eat the way I do here.
What I Wore
(ABOVE & BELOW) On my lips: Zuzu Luxe Tango Lip Gloss. Zuzu Luxe cosmetics are all natural, vegan, and gluten free. This lip gloss is actually a much more intense color than I’m wearing, because I thinned it with my Organic Shea Butter for a more natural, minimal-makeup look.
(ABOVE & BELOW) Zuzu Luxe Tango Lip Gloss. All natural, vegan, and gluten free.
WHAT I WORE (Clothing)
LINEN TOP: Lina Tomei (Alternative Nordstrom; Eileen Fisher Here, Here) / JEANS: J. Crew, Size 28 (Correct size would be 26 or 27 in most jeans, so I washed/dried these multiple times)
WHAT I WORE (Jewelry/Accessories)
HAT: Sun & Fun Lifeguard Hat; Men’s Size, So Doesn’t Hurt My Head (Alternative Women’s-Size Hat Here) / EYEWEAR: Kate Spade / Hat: Sun & Fun / BAG: Nordstrom (Also Bloomingdale’s) / SHOES: Bernardo (Also Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s Here, Here) / WATCH: Michele (Also Saks Fifth Avenue; On Sale Ross-Simons) / Bangle: Talbots (Similar) / BEAD BRACELETS: Similar Here, Here / NECKLACE: Similar Splurge, Steal (Alternative Splurge Bloomingdale’s, 50% Off).
MY MOISTURIZERS/MAKEUP (All Natural/Organic Ingredients)
LIPS/EYE AREA MOISTURIZER: Nourish Organic Shea Butter / FACE MAKEUP: Zuzu Gluten-Free Dual Powder Foundation D-7 and D-24 applied with BareMinerals Flawless Application Face Brush (also available here) / CHEEKS: Gabriel Apricot Powder Blush / LIPS: Zuzu Luxe Tango Lip Gloss / LASHES: 100% Pure Ultra-Lengthening Mascara, Black Tea. (Some links in this post are affiliates. More information here.)
MISCELLANEOUS
SALAD DRESSING BOTTLE: Glass, Leak-Proof, 4 oz. (I carry this with me whenever I eat out).
(Some links in this post are affiliates. More information here.)
YouTube Video
You have a good eye for what looks nice and you are willing to give other women ideas about how to put together a classic look that suits any age. It’s a bonus that your combinations are also modest and feminine. I think that even when you’re ‘not trying’ you subconsciously add little touches which make it fun, such as the way the bracelet matches your bag. I personally don’t want to have to think about, pay for or store all the clothing and accessories that are needed for such interesting combinations, but it’s fun to see how you do it. In any case, this post of yours is important because you are talking about what’s most important in life. Indeed, we have to be real, and be fearlessly ready to live our lives, trying not to think about what people might think of that.
Thank you, Evelina. I do love to have fun with fashion jewelry and accessories. 🙂 And I love your quote: “…what’s most important in life…we have to be real, and be fearlessly ready to live our lives.” What a beautiful way to put it. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your lovely thoughts here. ~ Janis
You look perfectly fine with what you were wearing,l wouldn’t give it another thought.
Thank you, Shari. 🙂 I appreciate you visiting my blog post ~ Janis
A very lovely day lovely Janis 🙂
Wear what you want,old or new,big or small.İmportant is your lovely heart.
You’re always beautiful and super elegant lady in this world.
Happy days~
Hi, Rose! It’s so nice to hear from you again! Thank you for your kind and supportive comment. I hope you are doing well. Happy, happy days to you, too! Cheers ~ Janis