Happy Monday, ladies! April is over and we're headed straight into May. Hard to believe, really. I do not know where 2022 is going. We've got a classic OOTD today that features one of our Readers' Favorites from last week: the classic Bristol blazer from J.Crew.
But before we kick off today's post, a quick housekeeping note. We made this announcement to our weekly newsletter subscribers last night and we're excited to share it more widely today.
My long-time followers will remember that in December of 2018, Style at a Certain Age released its first e-Magazine Home For The Holidays. After 3 years, I'm proud to announce that I've relaunched the magazine with my daughter-in-law Kelly.
This quarter's edition is 63 pages of all-new content, including travel outfit ideas, recipes, home organizational tips, and more.
If you're interested in purchasing a copy, scroll to the bottom of this post for more details.
Today's featured item is a Bristol blazer from J.Crew
The blazer is modeled, and I pulled together 2 alternates
The OOTD is shoppable via a text or image widget
Each alternate is shoppable via a text widget
Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the details of our new Spring e-Magazine
Today's featured item is a Bristol Blazer from J.Crew. Ultimately, I'm a classic dresser with a preppy flair, and nothing strikes that note better than a blazer.
I'm loving this blazer for two reasons: the button details and the color. And as I've said it all Spring long: color is in this year.
But at the end of the day bright, bold colors aren't for everyone. And what's nice about this particular shade of pink: it's subdued, making it a perfect way to introduce color into your wardrobe.
A camisole is great to layer under a blazer, especially on those warmer days. But check the alternative stylings below for a few other options to pair with a blazer. Loving the blazer/shirtdress combo for SPring.
I keep going back to Paige for my jeans this Spring. Straight-leg jeans are in for 2022---a totally classic look. This pair is slightly distressed for a more modern look, complementing the blazer.
We just launched our new, quarterly e-Magazine for Spring. Here are the details on how to order your copy.
Hey, hey! It’s Friday, ladies, which means it’s time to kick off the weekend with a delicious recipe and cocktail. Of course, my favorite sidekick, Oscar is on deck and I’m sporting a laid-back outfit that’s perfect for a chilly Spring day. (Although simple, today's appetizer may be better than Clinton Kelly's shrimp appetizer, maybe.)
Can you believe our temps have bounced from 39 degrees to 75ish in the course of a week? Mother Nature can be a fickle creature this time of year. Lightweight sweaters and third layers come in handy! Rest assured I have one or the other on hand.
Today's featured item is a pair of boyfriend jeans from Kut from the Kloth
The jeans are modeled
The entire outfit is shoppable via a text or image widget
I've got a recipe for an Italian Greyhound and Avacado cucumber shrimp bites
This Spring I’ve been testing new denim silhouettes. The trend for 2022 is a looser fit and I can’t say I’m disappointed. I’ve always loved the slouchy fit of boyfriend jeans so I was thrilled to stumble upon this pair from Kut from the Kloth available at Nordstrom.
Since the temps were on the brisk side I reached for a striped sweater from Banana Republic. And I always love to slip into a pair of comfy shoes. How cute are these espadrilles from Vince?! They look adorable with a pair jeans.
1 Tbsp fresh chopped rosemary
1/4 cup sugar
2 ounces gin
4 ounces pink grapefruit juice
1 ounce Aperol
1 rosemary sprig, for garnish
Combine the rosemary and sugar and spread on a small plate
Rim edge of a glass with a lime wedge then press the glass onto the plate, turning to coat.
Fill glass with crushed ice. Add the gin, juice, and Aperol. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Stir gently. Enjoy!
Today’s recipes couldn’t be easier. Cucumber, guacamole and shrimp are all that’s needed to whip up a delicious appetizer or snack that’s healthy and perfect for a Spring or Summer day.
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped, plus more for garnish
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 avocado
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp lime juice, plus more to squeeze over finished appetizers
1 English Cucumber, sliced
Yesterday, I showed you a variety of different dresses, and additionally, different ways to style each. Click the title or image below to read the article.
What a week! It’s been a big week over here on the blog to say the least. Yesterday, we introduced our newest regular contributor: my daughter-in-law, Kelly Djalali. I cannot thank you enough for the warm reception you gave her. It meant the world. We’re both extremely excited for what’s to come, and we hope you are too. In celebration, we thought we’d do something fun today: a joint Fridays with Oscar. Super simple: I’m responsible for the drinks, and Kelly’s making the appetizer. Plus, we’ve both got super fun outfits for you. I’m sporting Oprah’s favorite AYR shirt, and Kelly’s featuring a pair of woven loafers I think you’re going to love.
My outfit could not be simpler. I’ve paired this button-down, striped shirt (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) with a pair of raw hem jeans (Nordstrom). The shirt is a bit large—looking for that oversized, comfy, casual look perfect for Fridays. But it you want a more tailored look size down one size. Throw on a pair of sandals (Talbots), and you’re headed straight into the weekend.
Shirt (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)
Kelly and I both share a love of Aperol. And anyone who follows Fridays with Oscar regularly knows it’s one of my go-tos. Today, I’m sharing my recipe for an Intro to Aperol. Cheers to the weekend, ladies!
Bar Tool Set (Williams Sonoma)
Shirt (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1 0z Gin
1/4 oz Sugar Syrup
Dash Angostura Bitter
2 oz Aperol
Shirt (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)
This is Kelly’s first “official” fashion post on the blog. Her outfit, too, could not be simpler. She went with a pair of high-rise vintage slim jeans (Gap) and a relaxed short sleeve cotton popover (J.Crew). Remember ladies, high-rise denim is in for 2022, and the price point on this pair is right.
To be honest: I’m really loving her woven loafers the most–such a perfect shoe for Spring. Kelly’s pair is old, but she rounded up some similars: here, here, here, and here.
High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans | Relaxed Short Sleeve Cotton Popover | Similar Woven Loafer | Sam Edelman Woven Loafers | Woven Flats | Banana Republic Woven Loafer
One of the big advantages of bringing Kelly on to SAACA is that she will get to share wonderful recipes with us. For those that don’t know, Kelly runs a food blog: Djalali Cooks. Thankfully, she’s agreed to revive her Kelly’s Kitchen column over here on the blog, so stay tuned for some yummy, easy-to-follow dishes. Today, she’s cooking up mushroom and goat cheese crostini.
High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans | Relaxed Short Sleeve Cotton Popover | Similar Woven Loafer | Sam Edelman Woven Loafers | Woven Flats | Banana Republic Woven Loafer
March is over, and April is just beginning. From Kelly, Oscar, and myself, we’re wishing you an absolutely wonderful weekend!
Shirt (AYR, Oprah’s Favorite Things) | Raw Hem Jeans (Nordstrom) | Sandals (Talbots)
High Rise Vintage Slim Jeans | Relaxed Short Sleeve Cotton Popover | Similar Woven Loafer | Sam Edelman Woven Loafers | Woven Flats | Banana Republic Woven Loafer
In case you missed it, yesterday, we announced Kelly Djalali coming on as a regular contributor. Here’s what that means.
On Tuesdays, Kelly will be posting an entry to our Daily Looks feed. She’ll post an OOTD and you can shop those outfits easily through the shop widget below the photo. Being of a smaller stature, at 5 feet tall and 105 pounds, Kelly will create fresh looks with a focus on classic style for petites.
On Thursdays, Kelly will be contributing a full-length fashion-related post. Whether she’s modeling outfits or giving you tips on how to build her capsule wardrobes, you can expect the same great content you’ve come to expect from SAACA.
Kelly will be reviving her Kelly’s Kitchen column on Saturdays. Each week, you can expect a delicious, easy-to-follow recipe.
For those of you who caught Sunday’s Talbots’ Spring new arrivals capsule wardrobe, this is the companion piece. I debated whether to run the two together in one mega-post, but decided to split them up. Last weekend, I went through Ann Taylor’s Spring new arrivals, and I’ve put together a capsule wardrobe. The name of the game is the same as it was this weekend. From 15 different items, I’ve put 5 different outfits together. The items include:
Here are the rules I tried to follow when selecting items:
Remember, I’ve only provided 5 potential outfits. The beauty of capsule wardrobes is that they can be mixed and matched in so many different ways. Sky is the limit, really. So let’s see what I came up with.
Crocodile Tote | Metro Short | Straw Clutch | Ponte Split-Neck Top | Pleat Front Top | Gingham Swing Jacket | Block Heel Sandal | Suede Mules | Straw Loafer Slides | Essential Black Shirt | Moto Jacket | Crop Pant | Chambray Paperbag Ankle Pant | Stitch Sweater | High-Rise Skinny Jeans
I absolutely love Ann Taylor’s essential shirts. So choosing one was a no-brainer. I imagine most of you have a black button-down and light wash jeans. But what really makes this outfit is the gingham coat and the suede mules. Perfect for a night out. But swap the gingham jacket for the moto one, and you’ll be living even more on the edge.
Crocodile Tote | Gingham Swing Jacket | Suede Mules | Essential Black Shirt | High-Rise Skinny Jeans
Simply Spring. That’s all I have to say about our second outfit. Loving the soft elegance of the Ponte split-neck top paired with these chambray paper bag ankle pants. Don’t like monochromatic blue? No problem. Swap the shirt for the white pleat front top, and you still maintain the essence of this outfit. The tan crocodile tote goes with all of the outfits I’ve put together—animal prints and textures are neturals!
Crocodile Tote | Ponte Split-Neck Top | Block Heel Sandal | Chambray Paperbag Ankle Pant
Classic white. Cannot beat it. Here, we’ve kept the chambray paper bag ankle pant pants from above but instead paired them with the pleat front top and moto jacket. Don’t worry, the sassiness of the jacket is subdued by the block heel sandal.
Crocodile Tote | Pleat Front Top | Block Heel Sandal | Moto Jacket | Crop Pant | Chambray Paperbag Ankle Pant
The simplest outfit of them all: a black stitch Sweater and high-rise skinny jeans. Can’t touch the classics, really. But how perfect are the straw clutch and Suede Mules together?
Straw Clutch | Suede Mules | Stitch Sweater | High-Rise Skinny Jeans
I’m so loving these straw loafer slides, I had to include them. They too work with just about any of the combinations above and subdue just about any outfit you could put together from this capsule wardrobe.
This is the first outfit with shorts. Ann Taylor’s metro short is conservative enough for most of us and definitely worth considering if you’re in the market.
Straw Clutch | Gingham Swing Jacket | Straw Loafer Slides | Essential Black Shirt | Metro Short
If you’re looking for more classic wardrobe ideas, make sure to check out our essential series:
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
I love Talbots. That’s no secret. And apparently you, my readers, do too. Almost every month, without fail, Talbots is the most popular retailer on the blog. Hands down. So, we’re gonna try something new today. I’ve spent the past few days combing through Talbots’ Spring new arrivals, and I’ve put together a capsule wardrobe. From 14 different items, I’ve put 5 different outfits together. The items include:
Here are the rules I tried to follow when selecting items:
Most of you are familiar with what I mean by “classic”. Think lots of neutrals, fits, cuts, and styles that defy trends. While bold and bright colors are in this year, I shied away from them today in favor of whites, blacks, and tans for example.
So without further adieu, let’s see what I came up with.
Nappa Wedges | Perfect Tote | Nappa Loafers | Espadrille Flats | Vachetta Mule | Bateau Neck Tee | Drawcord Shirt Jacket | Twill Knit Blazer | Denim Shirt Jacket | Button Detail Popover | Smocked Blouse | Wide-Leg Pants | Relaxed Jeans | Slim Ankle Jeans
The first outfit stars a navy twill blazer. A navy blazer is part of any classic wardrobe and works perfectly with the simple combination of an olive drab neck tee and slim jeans in a medium wash. And how about these leather mules? Absolutely loving them.
Twill Knit Blazer | Bateau Neck Tee | Slim Ankle Jeans | Perfect Tote | Vachetta Mule
The second outfit begins with a neutral base: I paired a black and white smocked blouse with black wide-leg trousers. The trousers are about as “edgy” as this wardrobe gets today, but I have been and will continue to be a fan. The wedges continue the matchy-matchy feel of the outfit.
Denim jackets are true heroes of any classic transition wardrobe, including this one. So to add visual interest, I added a light-wash denim shirt jacket. It lightens the outfit up dramatically. (Imagine the difference if I were to have gone with a dark-wash.)
Denim Shirt Jacket | Smocked Blouse | Wide-Leg Pants | Nappa Wedges | Perfect Tote
The third outfit is preppy through and through. I’m bringing back the navy twill blazer from outfit 1. This time, though, I paired it with a blue popover and white denim. Add a pair of navy loafers and you’re a full-on prepster, if only for a day.
Twill Knit Blazer | Button Detail Popover | Relaxed Jeans | Nappa Loafers | Perfect Tote
Outfit 4 demonstrates keeps the base from outfit 1 but swaps the jacket, shoes, and bag. It features a tan utility jacket and snakeskin espadrilles. (Remember, animal skin functions as a neutral.) This outfit really demonstrates the impact accessories and outerwear can have on an outfit.
Drawcord Shirt Jacket | Bateau Neck Tee | Slim Ankle Jeans | Espadrille Flats | Perfect Tote
Compare outfit 3 with this one: the only thing different is the jacket. Instead of a blazer, I’ve gone with the utility jacket. And what a difference it makes. The outfit stops feeling “preppy” and starts feeling more, “I’m ready to take on the world thank you very much.”
And that’s the fun of capsule wardrobes, really. If you begin with a small but classic set of tops, bottoms, shoes, and jackets, you can create so many different combinations that vary minimally but are dramatically different!
So have some fun with my capsule wardrobe and think about how you would do it differently.
Drawcord Shirt Jacket | Button Detail Popover | Relaxed Jeans | Nappa Loafers | Perfect Tote
If you’re looking for more classic wardrobe ideas, make sure to check out our essential series:
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Happy Friday, gang! Another week has come and gone, and so has my beach getaway to Cancún, Mexico. It was a relaxing trip filled with blue skies, sunshine, and a white sandy beach that stretched for miles. Margaritas on the rocks, guacamole, and chips, plus a good beach read are all that’s necessary to keep this girl happy. I am truly my mother’s daughter in so many ways. Now it’s time to switch gears and get back to work. I’ve got a fun one for you today: how to make a charcuterie board.
While I was gone, my garage door was finally installed! Hooray! It’s beautiful. Next up is a paint job outside. Yes, the house is getting a facelift, and I finally decided to paint the brick! The prep work started while I was in Mexico; barring rain, I will have a brand spanking fresh coat of paint (or two) by the end of next week. Black gutters were installed in February, so along with a new garage door and paint job, my 70s ranch will look fresh and modern. Houses need to keep up with the times just like us!
Today’s outfit is just as simple to throw together as the charcuterie tray! It’s a simple style uniform for spring and summer: denim, tee or blouse, and sandals. When spring rolls into town the rinse of my denim gets lighter.
Yes, it visually adds pounds but I’m totally okay with putting FUN into my wardrobe and nothing says summer than a pair of light rinse denim from Ann Taylor. Y’all know my love of white blouses so it was time to slip into a short sleeve version of this iconic closet staple from J.Crew (old, similar here and here). Add a pair of white sandals from Tory Burch and this outfit is in the bag.
denim | blouse (old, similar here and here) | bracelet | watch band | bangle | sandals
Today’s menu couldn’t be easier or more perfect for a beautiful spring day. Wine and cheese, anyone? A charcuterie board is so easy to put together especially last minute when friends and family drop by. There is nothing better than sitting on my screen porch with a glass of wi e in hand and good company.
Today, I chose a savory board for my theme that includes one hard and one soft cheese. I added nuts, cured meats, pickled vegetables, olives, sweet fig jam, and a crusty baguette. So easy, right?
I have a tried and true method to pull together a platter in no time flat! And what’s easier than uncorking a bottle of red and white wine? I always like to keep one of each on hand. So come join Oscar and me, and Ollie whose always in the background.
denim | blouse (old, similar here and here) | bracelet | watch band | bangle | sandals
Oscar, Ollie, and I wish you a lovely weekend!
It’s travel week all week over here on the blog. So far, we’ve shown you
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Happy Thursday, ladies! Travel week is wrapping up, and I’m heading back home to Georgia from Mexico today. What a wonderful trip. And I was so glad to be able to share it with you. In case you missed anything, I’ve got links at the end of this post. So make sure to check them out. We’re resuming normal scheduling, today, and featuring one of my favorite items this Spring: a women’s faux leather jacket from Scoop.
We’ve featured this jacket a few weeks ago paired with a skirt, shown below. It was such a hit, that I wanted to show you another way to style it. So, we’ve got a sort of 2-for-1 today: 2 ways to style the same moto-jacket.
Faux-Leather Moto Jacket (two colors) | Skirt | Blouse (Halogen from Nordstrom) | Shoes (limited sizes similar here, here, and here)
Today’s outfit takes the same faux leather jacket and pairs it with these high-rise skinny jeans from J.Crew factory and a striped shirt (similar here and here). This is a much more casual take on this jacket than the first outfit, showing you that a moto jacket can dress up or down quite nicely.
denim | tee (old, similar here and here) | faux leather jacket | driving mocs | sunglasses
I’m loving stripes this Spring. They create visual interest to any outfit, really, and today, I’ve matched my stripes with the jacket. Combined with my red driving mocs, this is truly on-trend for Spring 2022.
denim | tee (old, similar here and here) | faux leather jacket | driving mocs | sunglasses
Driving mocs didn’t make my 5 trending Spring shoes this year. That’s because, in a lot of ways, driving mocs are trend-proof. They’re such classics, they’re always on-trend. This pair is from Rothy’s, and if red isn’t your style, don’t worry. They’ve got this shoe in a variety of different colors.
denim | tee (old, similar here and here) | faux leather jacket | driving mocs | sunglasses
It’s travel week all week over here on the blog. So far, we’ve shown you
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Happy Friday, ladies! We made it through another week, and we're heading straight into the weekend. Today, we're talking what to wear with a denim jacket---one if, if not the most essential Spring jacket. In addition, we're trying something new. And I'm really excited about it.
We've partnered with local Kentucky business owner M.K. Hennigan from In the Curious Kitchen for our menu. We met M.K. earlier this year at The Southern C(oterie) Conference, and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to collaborate. M.K runs an online cocktail kit and gourmet shop---and I think you're gonna love what's on her menu.
Today's outfit is a casual classic: a denim jacket (available at Nordstrom and Liverpool Los Angeles) with a graphic tee (old, similar here, here, and here). A light wash jean jacket pairs perfectly with a pair of white pants like these white chinos from Talbots.
I love a good graphic tee, and they're the perfect way to add some levity and tailor your wardrobe. Because bright bold colors are in this year, I couldn't pass up another opportunity to wear pink---my favorite color this Spring.
chinos | tee (old, similar here, here, and here) | denim jacket | belt | shoes (old, similar here, here, and here)
Today's cocktail is an Old Fashioned---one of my personal favorites. Everything but the bourbon was provided by In The Curious Kitchen. And by "everything but", I mean everything but. The kit includes two glasses, cherry bitters, boozy cherries, and a lot more. You can order the Old Fashioned Drink Kit directly through M.K.'s store.
In The Curious Kitchen also sells made-to-order pimento and beer cheese, because no Southern evening would be complete without. And if you want to make your own, M.K. was kind enough to provide her recipe below.
chinos | tee (old, similar here, here, and here) | denim jacket | belt | shoes (old, similar here, here, and here)
In the spirit of keeping things super simple, I made my "homemade" baked ham & cheese sandwich to complement M.K.'s pimento appetizer. I went with swiss, but go with your favorite cheese! The secret sauce is M.K.'s Bourbon Honey Mustard---a perfect addition to an old favorite.
chinos | tee (old, similar here, here, and here) | denim jacket | belt | shoes (old, similar here, here, and here)
4 ciabatta rolls
16 slices ham
8 slices swiss cheese
Honey mustard
cork placemats and napkins from Pottery Barn (no longer available similar here, here, and here) | flatware | bee glasses
Over here at SAACA, we love to platform women entrepreneurs of all ages who take a chance to pursue their passion. What makes MK's story so interesting is that she left her day job and started In The Curious Kitchen later in life---a time when many of us are thinking of taking it a bit easier. A huge risk, but a huge inspiration.
Make sure to take a look at M.K.'s shop for everything from cocktail kits to assorted cheeses; say "hello" in the comments below; and follow MK on Instagram.
I'm MK Hennigan - Welcome to my kitchen! I love spending time in the kitchen, and my curiosity drives constant experiment. Inspired by my deep Southern roots and the women in my family, I turned my passion for all things culinary into In the Curious Kitchen. This is the place where comfort food takes innovative twists and turns. Where generations-old recipes are updated into creative small bites, family meals, and delectable desserts, this is a place where the family's traditional entertaining ideas evolve into today's fast-paced lifestyle.
MK
courtesy of MK Hennigan
courtesy of MK Hennigan
Today we talked what to Wear with a denim jacket. Make sure to check out our:
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Happy Tuesday, ladies! After a beautiful Spring week, we’ve got rain here in Athens. No more evenings on the patio, at least for now. But as they say, when life gives you rain, bring a raincoat. In fact, this week has been all about Spring coats. On Sunday, we featured the most important Winter-to-Spring transition piece: the Spring jacket. Unsurprisingly, the raincoat made our list. And today we’re featuring what I think is one of 2022’s best women’s raincoats from Talbots.
One of the reasons I love Spring jackets—raincoats, in particular—is that they are the easiest way to introduce color into your wardrobe. This year is all about bright, bold colors: from beautiful coral reds to hot pinks, 2022 features it all.
Today’s feature is a plaid raincoat from Talbots. Its colorful, pink-based plaid pairs perfectly with the cutest pink rainboots from Amazon. What I love about this jacket, though, is that it would work well with a myriad of boots and shoes. I could see dressing the outfit up slightly with a pair of riding boots; or down with a pair of clogs or platform sneakers.
Raincoat (Talbots) | Rainboots (Amazon Store) | Sweater Ann Taylor (limited sizes similar here and here) | Denim (Wit & Wisdom) | Sunglasses (similar)
It’s been the year of the pink sweater for me. Last Fridays with Oscar, I featured a lovely pink v-neck sweater from LOFT. Today, I’m wearing this super comfy mock neck sweater from Ann Taylor (limited sizes, similar here and here). Style it with your favorite denim or pants; this sweater is the perfect transition piece for Spring.
Raincoat (Talbots) | Rainboots (Amazon Store) | Sweater Ann Taylor (limited sizes similar here and here) | Denim (Wit & Wisdom) | Sunglasses (similar)
My jeans are slim-straight from Wit & Wisdom—a new favorite of mine. Straight-leg jeans are in this year, and this pair, in particular, fits great.
Raincoat (Talbots) | Rainboots (Amazon Store) | Sweater Ann Taylor (limited sizes similar here and here) | Denim (Wit & Wisdom) | Sunglasses (similar)
We started our budget-friendly series last week with
We continued it yesterday with
both of which are from Scoop available at Walmart.
Make sure to catch up on our DAILY LOOK. We post a dedicated photo to our daily outfit every Wednesday-Sunday. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
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