Fashion Trends and Friends Followers, I want to take a minute to acknowledge the trying and difficult time we are currently facing regarding COVID 19. I contemplated not doing a blog post as I didn’t want it to feel as though everything is as it has been and yet sometimes some normalcy can be a good thing! As I look over the pictures of this event, I’m reminded of how much I already miss seeing friends and family and being able to have close proximity! Trying to create some structure and routine in my daily live has been a challenge but I’m making it work. I hope this blog post finds you and your family safe and healthy. If there’s anything we can do for your during this time, don’t hesitate to let us know!

It’s always a delight to get a request to collaborate and participate in various fashion related events! When the email came in from Coldwater Creek’s Retail Event Manager, Courtney, asking Fashion Trends and Friends to partner for the Orland Park’s grand opening, I was of course flattered and exited to participate. Courtney found our blog and Instagram accounts. She liked our content and style and was hoping we’d be willing to promote the event and help style the customers. It was a no brainer! I love to help style others and have been told that I have a great eye for being able to pull items to accent a women’s positive features!

Try On Session

Since I knew I’d be assisting others, I like to go in advance to see what’s available and to familiarize myself with the current styles in the store. This was a great opportunity for my mom and I to go together. While I’m self-confident in making my own fashion choices and decisions, it’s always nice to get a second opinion.

The staff greeted my mom and I as we entered and were very excited to see us! What a warm and welcoming feeling! The store is beautiful inside and well organized. The fitting rooms have hooks labeled yes, no and maybe to assist in your decisions and to help keep things organized. As you can see, there is a large bench, which is great when shopping with others and to set your coat, purse, etc. When I shop with my girlfriends, we like to all pile in one room!

I walked around to get a sense of all the options before I began to pull things to try on. Needless to say, I walked into the fitting room with lots of choices!

Look 1

All the colors, the pattern and statement sleeves on this top grabbed my attention! It’s super comfortable and figure flattering as it doesn’t cling anywhere. You can style it will all kinds of colors especially colored denim. Did you catch our blog on colored denim? Click here: Stylish Monday Colored Denim. It can be left untucked or half tucked or completely tucked. I prefer a half tuck! I paired it with these pull on dark wash denim jeans. This top and jeans both get two thumbs up!

Dark Wash Denim Pull-On Slim-Leg Jeans: https://bit.ly/3cRFDjb

Look 2

Some of my favorite colors to wear are yellow and blue so this top along with the embroidery and tunic style drew my attention! This tunic can easily be paired with leggings, dress pants and as shown with the same pull on jeans from the last look. In the store, it was shown with olive cargo pants, which was super cute! I’d also pair this top with white jeans. This top is figure flattering, doesn’t cling and covers a midsection if that’s important to you.

Day in the Sun Embroidered 3/4-Sleeve Tunic: https://bit.ly/2WeVZfI

Look 3

This kimono with it’s bright colors and bold print screams spring and summer to me! It’s no surprise that I love wearing colors and kimonos are so easy to style. I’ve paired it with the same pull on dark wash denim jeans. You could wear any colored top it with it as shown by my pictures. I actually prefer it with the white/cream colored cami. It can easily be dressed up or down, worn with leggings, jeans, colored jeans, shorts…the options might be endless. Do you think of multiple ways you can style an item? My general rule of thumb is at least three ways!

Botanical Garden Open Front Kimono: https://bit.ly/2W7p4Kb

Look 4

Clothing with details and embellishments always grab my attention as you’re probably well aware if you’ve followed us for some time! Therefore, I’m sure you can guess why I like these jeans with the lace patches. The jeans are pull on and have pockets. I really like the pull on jeans as it gives a smooth front as well as comfort. I styled the jeans two ways. First up, is the lace bottomed tunic. Tunics are always a good choice if you prefer to minimize your midsection.

Lace Applique Pull on Jeans: https://bit.ly/2w4T5j0

Beauty in Lace Linen Tunic: https://bit.ly/2W989ag

Believe it or not, I don’t own any plain white blouses. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give something I wouldn’t typically wear a try. This white blouse has interest because of the side tie and it also adds some shape to my body, which I prefer over a straight up and down tunic on my body type.

Can a girl have too many denim jackets?! I think not! LOL! I couldn’t resist trying on this denim jacket because it has a peplum and a stand up collar, different than my other denim jackets and I could pop the collar of the blouse out over the jacket!

Side-Tie Easy Care Tunic – https://bit.ly/2vh9i4l

Denim Peplum Jacket: https://bit.ly/39MS0eu

Look 5

This soft kimono has a beautiful lace detail in the back. It looked so pretty styled on the mannequin in the store. The 3/4 sleeved top is super soft with some detail. These cargo pants were also super soft and very comfortable.

Everyday Chino Cargo Pants: https://bit.ly/2xzG9Cj

Which look do you think I chose to wear for the grand opening? It was not an easy decision!

As previously mentioned, the stylists at Coldwater Creek, couldn’t have been any nicer and welcoming!

Grand Opening

My mom and aunt joined me on the day of the Grand Opening. You can see that I went with the white side tie blouse, the embellished pull on jeans and denim jacket!

My aunt found a cute sweater she liked!

Sue of Fashionably Fifty also had her mom join us! To read a blog post about Sue, click here: Feature a Friend. Whenever possible, it’s always great fun to include our moms!

The mom’s could also sit and browse the Coldwater Creek catalog.

Chicago Midlife Influencers Join Me

It’s always great when my fellow Chicago Midlife Influencers can join! We always have such a great time together and can’t believe that we’ve only know each other briefly but yet feel like life long friends. If you live locally and would like to join us, drop me a comment or send an email. The more the merrier!

Linda and Sue browse and chat!

Lisa and I have fun shopping, chatting and of course taking pictures. To learn more about Lisa, you can read a blog post here: Feature a Friend.

Lisa and Linda

Friend Stacy and her daughter Maddie joined us! Can you tell they’re mother daughter?! They’re as cute and as nice as can be!

There might be a perception that Coldwater Creek is for the more mature women. I would encourage you not to limit your thinking regarding where you shop. There is something for everyone no matter your age at Coldwater Creek! Look how cute Maddie is in this kimono! We thought it looked great with what she already was wearing and we also talked about all the other ways she could style it! Plus it’s transitional and can be worn in many seasons! By the way, Maddie is in college and is studying fashion! She loved the unique features of the kimono!

Floral Fusion Embroidered Kimono: https://bit.ly/2TP9dye

Stacy tried on this fun natural frayed edge denim jacket. We all agreed it was a winner! Maddie claimed that she’d also be borrowing it from her mom’s closet! I like it because it’s not your typical blue denim jacket, it has frayed edges and slight brown specs, which are difficult to see. Denim jackets are great for spring, summer and fall!

Natural Frayed Edge Denim Jacket: https://bit.ly/2TSErVu

Couldn’t Resist

Do you ever see something and just can’t resist even though you don’t need it? Asking for a friend…LOL! Case in point is this beautiful scarf! The colors, the print and shimmer thread drew me to it and I knew it would be the perfect spring accessory, could go with so many things and colors! Scarfs are an easy accessory to add to any outfit and elevate the look a notch! I paired it with a solid pink sweater, boyfriend jeans and my jean jacket on a recent trip I took. I got lots of compliments on it and all of the colors! This scarf was so popular that it’s sold out already. However, they have lots of other cute options!

Obsessed

There are a couple of items that I didn’t get (YET) but can’t stop thinking about, which usually means I’ll be getting them. First, is this beautiful dress! The picture doesn’t do it justice! I loved all of the colors, the embroider strip in the center of the dress and the slightly high low cut! I thought it would be perfect to dress up or down for our tropical spring break vacation, which sadly is canceled. I can still envision wearing it all through the summer and on future vacations!

Dancing Dreams Embroidered Dress: https://bit.ly/2U7s7iR

The other item I can’t stop thinking about is this really beautiful necklace! I love how unique it is and all the colors! You know I feel strongly that accessories always add extra interest and elevate a look from good to great!

Pop of Color Wooden Necklace by Sylca®: https://bit.ly/2wUsWnp

Let’s Chat

If you haven’t shopped Coldwater Creek, I’d highly recommend you give it a try! You’re sure to find something you’ll like! This is not a sponsored post and is solely my own opinion.

If you’d like me to personally shop for and style you, I’d be happy to do so. Please send me an email or leave a comment!

I’d like to leave you with positive thoughts at this difficult time! This was all over social media and I’m hopeful many good things will come from a difficult time!

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