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This post is for Kelli O, who put in a request to see some flamingo realness about a week ago. Let this be the beginning of a trickle-feed of ridiculous, Florida-style, in-your-face flamingo realness brought to you by yours truly and her iPhone - because I didn't even pack a camera when I left for this trip. Whoopsie. I shot this on the quick moments after arriving home from horse riding. I was sweaty, dirty, and horsey, but the light was just about right, so I quick grabbed the easiest two pieces of flamingo realness in my closet and went with it. Hence the lack of hair, makeup, or general thought-outedness. Right after this photo, I took the cover off that pool and cannon-balled myself into it like a boss. Both of these pieces are Lilly Pulitzer, and both of them do what I love best about a lot of Lilly Pulitzer dresses; you literally just put them on and go. They're loose, and sort of act as their very own air conditioning system. Something about trapping the air underneath or something, I don't know. I'm not an HVAC engineer. But what I do know is that getting dressed when it's hot outside is incredibly easy when all you have to do is pull what is essentially a large, loose, brightly-colored t-shirt material sack over your head. And true to the original purpose of Lilly Pulitzer clothing (to hide the orange juice stains Pulitzer used to get while working her Palm Beach orange juice stand), they also come in handy masking the stains you get when you attempt to drink a bottle of fizzing turmeric and ginger kombucha while driving down the I75. Lilly Pulitzer Melle Dress / Lilly Pulitzer Hampton Dress

Even if you're not a dabbler in astrology, you'll likely have heard someone in your orbit (see what I did there?) blaming some run of bad luck they're having on Mercury retrograde. For those of you unfamiliar, in scientific terms Mercury in retrograde basically refers to the optical illusion created when the planet Mercury appears to be moving in opposition to the other planets in the system - from east to west, the opposite of the usual west to east trajectory. To astrologers, this would mean it is moving backwards through the constellations of the Zodiac. It is this perceived backwards motion through the various Zodiac signs that gets everyones' undies in a bundle; it is said by those who follow the planets that this period of time causes everything from strings of rotten luck to communication problems to inexplicable emotional outbursts. It happens three times per year, the latest one having started on the 5th of March, ending this week on the 28th. And yes, I know what that sounds like. But whether you look at Mercury retrograde as an urban myth or a time to reflect and put any big plans on hold, it's a thing. Normally I enjoy a bit of this type of mysticism in my life. It provides a nice balance to my more traditionally science-based work life. However, this past week or so, I can't help but feel I have been the living embodiment of all of the cautionary tales of Mercury retrograde you've ever heard. This past week and a half has brought me the untimely death of one of my closest friends, an upper respiratory infection from Hell, the impossible task of trying to keep the stitches in my dog's paw dry in the torrential Scottish weather (this particular task pretty much took over my life for about 5 days and is, as it turns out, impossible),  the slicing-off of the tip of my finger as I peeled sweet potatoes for chili and the subsequent transformation of my home into the most graphic of crime scenes (and no, the finger did not end up Wendy's-style in the chili, because I know thats what you're wondering), and a chaotic and understaffed work environment that despite my deepest wishes, did not relent give me a break for three night shifts running.  And let us not forget the cherry on top; the Mueller probe that we, the American taxpayers (yes, I still file in the US despite being an expat) are apparently not allowed to see, and the subsequent preening of the Trumpian syncophantic herd to the tune of "we are vindicated...so vindicated that we will suppress the document that allegedly vindicates us".  I did not know it was possible to be both grieving and have your blood boil so much that it really can only be measured in Kelvin.  Mercury retrograde is clearly upping it's game for 2019. So the past few days have been about that oft thrown-around term, self care. Yes, it is important.  Getting enough sleep, turning the phone off (mostly...okay, not Twitter),  taking a few leave days and making last-minute plans to head to the Pacific Northwest for my dear friend's memorial. It was these acts of self-care that reminded me of something she always said when we got about the business of retail therapy. She always used to say "I'm just looking for that one lipstick shade that's going to make my life work." That little memory made me realize that self-care is more complex than simply taking time off or remembering to be kind to yourself. I mean, yes, it is those things, but it is also knowing when the time has come to pick yourself up, and even if you don't feel like it, putting on something clean and pretty and maybe straightening your hair (or trying to in my case) and putting on that shade of lipstick that will make your life work and just setting the stage for things to eventually settle back into some sort of homeostasis. Because when they eventually do, you want to be ready. So that's what this is. This is a thrifted J. Crew cardigan that I picked up in a thrift shop in my hometown, and even though I really liked it, that little Midwesterner that lives in an Airstream trailer deep inside my head said to me "cool...but where are you ever going to wear this?" Of course the answer to that is "Wherever I damn well please, that's where. It makes me happy." So there it is. A self-care life hack dedicated to my dearest friend who left us way too soon. Find that lipstick color that will make your life work, slap some sequins (or whatever makes you happy) on it, and eventually, all will be well. Mercury retrograde be damned. Thrifted cardigan / similar flare jeans / Judith Ripka charm necklace (old), similar

While I appreciate that a cap sleeve, stretch-chambray, button-front, Mandarin collar dress circa the late 90s - mid 2000s may not be what everyone thinks of as "classic", in this context I'm referring to the term simply for classification purposes. In the world of collectible cars, "classic" is the term used to refer to any car over 20 years old. While in the fashion world these distinctions tend to be more blurry (and often lumped under the one-size-fits-most term "vintage"),  in this particular instance it seemed to fit. Granted, with cars, the term "vintage" refers to a car built between 1919 and 1930, so again, yeah....blurry. Be that as it may, if this piece isn't 20 years old, it's darn close. I picked this dress up several months ago while I was in the US, on a thrifting mission with my mom and sister. While my life these days does not really give me any reason to own a button-front, "office" type dress, when something fits as well as this dress did straight off of the rack, you don't question it. The Universe has spoken, and you just need to go with it. The opportunity to wear it will likely present itself sooner or later. And hey, who am I to argue with The Universe?

I haven't bought any new clothes in a really long time, which is sort of a strange admission for someone who writes a style blog, but there it is. That's not to say that I haven't brought anything new home - I have. I have just really been finding a lot of satisfaction in finding secondhand treasures.  Buying secondhand ensures that you are probably going to have an item that you won't see on every third person on the street, it's sustainable, and perhaps most of all, it's fun. It's a bit like treasure hunting. My sister and I regularly make a bolt for the shoe department at our favorite thrift haunt in my hometown, pushing each other out of the way and squeeing with delight as we do so, racing each other to get to the good shoes first. And we don't even wear the same size. And yes, we're both in our mid to late 40s, and this is completely normal and well-adjusted behaviour, so don't @ me. Nearly the entirety of today's look is secondhand, with the exception of the boots, which I believe were heavily discounted online a few seasons back. The top is Lucky Brand,  found in brand new condition; it only required a quick repair of the embroidery on one of the sleeves. The jeans are one of the most ancient pairs in my closet -  so old I actually wouldn't  even remember their provenance with out getting them carbon dated. The vintage faux fur coat was a $20 thrift find a few years back. It's only cold enough to wear it here in the West of Scotland a handful of days a year, but I love it and let me tell you it is warm. So that was today. Secondhand Tuesday.  I should also point out that these photos were taken in a very lucky six minutes - the only six minutes of natural daylight today where it wasn't raining, so I'm hoping that gazing upon them should make a little of that luck rub off.  We shall see.

As per my usual routine, I went thrifting with my mom and sister last week when I was home visiting. I came away with a lot of really amazing stuff, most of which you will be seeing here over the next several weeks. Things being what they are in the world with fast fashion and our cultural wastefulness, I see less and less reason to shop in mainstream stores these days (with the exception of underwear and socks and the like).  Finding secondhand treasures not only satisfies the search and destroy shopping cravings you might have, it's far better for the planet, and I suppose your soul as well. I knew before I even tried on this Gap tweet moto jacket (which was a Goodwill find for about 8 US Dollars), that I was going to be bringing it home. One of the great benefits of getting older is knowing instantly on sight when something will fit you, and I just knew this jacket would.  Most likely I'll wear this with jeans 99.9% of the time, but I wanted to try something different today in the name of variety. The result was this rather 80s derivative look. Historically I've not been a big fan of 80s fashion, but the farther away from the decade we get, the more appreciation I have for it - absence making the heart grow fonder and all that. Anyway, the jacket is very warm, which is perfect for this time of year, and it has a sort of indoor/outdoor thing going on so that you can either wear it as a light cold weather jacket, or (more likely) like a non-traditional blazer for our non-traditional times. thrifted jacket (see below for options) / Charter Club pink cashmere sweater / Tibi wool skirt (old), similar, similar / Nine West boots (old), similar / Judith Ripka Rings: similar heart shaped, multi-hearts similar / hammered sterling earrings

I've done several collaborations with Eternal Collection, the UK-based online jewelry retailer that specializes in quality costume jewelry. Their pieces are always a delight, the quality is consistently high-end, the customer service is top-notch, and naturally I am always thrilled to be able to showcase a company whose origins are right here in Scotland, my adoptive country. What's more, they are one of the few retailers around that carries a healthy selection of clip-on jewellery options, as well as tutorials as to how to adjust them. This time around, the collaboration was every bit as wonderful as it always is. In fact, this time, when I opened the box containing these High Society Diamonte Drop Pierced Earrings, I let out a sound not unlike those of the air brakes on a bus; a loud gasp followed by a high-pitched squee. These. Earrings. Are. Awesome. These earrings are remarkably lightweight for a chandelier earring, and really catch the light, creating a glow around your face that is a bit like having your own lighting director following you around with a portable softbox lighting setup.  The arrival of these beauties could not have been better-timed. As you may remember, in the run-up to the holiday season I have decided to do a series on the classic film noir femme fatale, a look that works on just about anyone, although on us more...uh...seasoned gals, it 's especially good. One thing that the classic femme fatale would never do is apologize, and like our esteemed anti-heroine, these earrings are anything  but a whispered apology. Just like the femme fatale, they're large, showy, loud, glamorous, and ambitious. They do not care about your whiny-arse problems, nor do they require you to pair anything with them. In fact, these earrings prefer to go solo and stand on their own two diamonte-encrusted "feet",  thanks very much. And of course, it's a look that insinuates that our femme fatale might very well have killed some poor guy off in his sleep to obtain the money to pay for them, but what's a bit of murder among friends when we're talking about serious glamour, am I right ladies? This post has been shared with Not Dead Yet Style, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Not Dressed As Lamb

If there is one thing that can be relied upon to generate the element of surprise, it's answering the door at 10am for the Menzies delivery guy dressed in full film noir femme fatale hair and makeup. It generates the kind of authentic reaction shot that would have made Lawrence Olivier himself green with envy. I realized this week that we are quickly approaching the time of year where "festive glamour" is foisted upon us. Everywhere you look, the shops are encouraging us to dress for the upcoming festivities in what I imagine a peacock would look like if he decided to attend a fancy dress party as a foil-wrapped baked potato. And while I love a little sparkle and shine as much as the next gal, this year, for reasons I'm not even entirely sure I can articulate, I'm just not feeling it. Okay, that's a lie. Yes, I can articulate it, and I know exactly why I'm not feeling it. I think my aversion to this year's incarnation of Festive Barbie is grounded in the fact that we women have suffered a bit of a blow of late. I blame the Donald Trumps and the Brett Kavanaughs of the world for what appears to be this new "sit there and take it" approach to all things feminine. And that does not just apply to feminism for that matter, but that's the scope of this post. As a means of dealing with this New World Order, I've found solace in one of my favorite film genres, film noir. And of course you can't have film noir without the most glamorous of anti-heroines, the femme fatale. Smart, sassy, ambitious, murderous, and unapologetically feminine, the film noir femme fatale is as glamorous as she is pissed-off - a perfect balm for our times. What's more, it's a great look for women of any age. In fact, I daresay it's even better when you're a little bit older. After all, any femme fatale worth her salt has definitely burned-through a few husbands for the insurance claims. You can't get all of that done when you're in your twenties, that takes commitment. Gina Bacconi evening dress (old)

This knit dress has been bumping around in my closet for the last two years. It was a lucky thrift store find, a Jones New York dress that was brand spanking new with the tags still attached when I found it at the local thrift store in my Wisconsin hometown. I have been meaning to do a post about this dress since I got it, but the circumstances in which I came to find it kind of led me to put it off in favor of more important matters, and over time I just kind of forgot to do the post - until now. Before this dress came to live with me, I had been away on an overnight work training here in Scotland. I had taken the train 90 miles to Glasgow when I got the call to fly home to the US for a family emergency. All I had with me was a change of underwear, a spare t-shirt and bare minimum toiletries all stuffed into a tote bag.  Thankfully, I also had my passport. That was a lucky strike, I usually don't carry it with me when I travel within the UK, it just happened to still be in the bag from my last trip. Once I arrived in the US and things settled down a but, I realized I was in need of a dress. It was summer when all this played-out, so it was fairly easy hit up the thrift stores for casual sundresses, shorts, and t shirts to get me through while I was there, but I figured I'd take a shot at finding a more conservative occasion dress there as well. This is what I found. I am still amazed at how well this thing fits - it's body conscious without being tight. It has a subtle empire waist, so it is incredibly comfortable, and it works for most seasons. I also love that it references a Missoni knit (if you've been following the blog you'll already know that I have a soft spot for all things Missoni). Even the colors are perfect, this dress will continue to match my ever evolving hair color as it gets exponentially more silver every year. It's definitely a keeper. This post has been shared with Not Dead Yet Style's Visible Monday

This is one of my favorite dresses that I own. It's kind of ironic really, because despite all of its perfect, drapey, turquoisey, tropical flamingo realness, I really am not much of a fan of maxi dresses. I just generally have a problem with longer skirts; I find them difficult, often dowdy, hardly ever long enough, and a real pain when you have to take a big step, break into a run, walk through the rain, or basically just, well, live. But every once in a while you meet a dress that proves you wrong. This was one of those. I had really no intention of shopping the day I found this dress. I found it at Tommy Bahama last December when I was on one of my Florida jaunts and had just had lunch with a friend. We were sort of trolling the shops, not really with any particular aim, but I saw this dress and the pattern just spoke to me ("of course it did" you're saying... it's bright, loud, botanical...all the elements are there). This dress was one of those moments where you walk out of the dressing room and people you've never met say "Oooo. you need that." And I do need it. I really do. Oh, and it has pockets. Pockets you guys!

I recently realized that to try and do individual posts for all of the acid flamingo realness in my Florida closet, I would need to quit my job and relocate here full-time. While that is indeed the eventual plan, both Himself and I are still a year or few away from that realty, so I have decided to do a few "groupings".  Today's realness - my gallery of loud, questionable shorts. I call these shorts "questionable" in a very tongue-in-cheek way. To many people, the bright, kitchy prints scare them off, highlighting the insecurities we all have about our butts and thighs and whatever whatever blah blah blah...but here's the thing. When it's really hot out there (and it is getting there pretty darn quickly down here right now), there is no desire or need for a layered look, or any other means of fuss. The less the better, really. And while I love the ease of a sundress, sometimes you really just need something you can wear in and out of a boat, the store, do the yardwork, and not have to change a million times. For me, this occasion (and every occasion really) calls for a pair of crazy, colorful, printed shorts. They're easy, hide stains, and have a sense of humour about themselves that makes you happy when you put them on. A pair of crazy printed shorts thumbs it's nose at your stupid insecurities, and makes you realize that if they're not afraid to let their freak flags fly once in a while, then you shouldn't be either. All of the shorts pictured here are from Lilly Pulitzer (at this point you are not surprised by this); many I obtained secondhand, so there is a smattering of some vintage and more modern prints. And, I'm embarrassed to add, this is not the entirety of my collection. I keep and wear shorts until the arse is literally worn out of them, so there are also several pairs back at home, waiting in the wings for that one day a year in Scotland that the coach might pick them off the bench and put them in the game. Eventually, they too will relocate here to Florida, just one great big crazy-patterned questionable shorts retirement community, where they will all run free together until the end of days. I included a few of my go-to summertime companion pieces that I wear with these colorful concoctions just about every time, so sunglasses at the ready - enjoy! All shorts by Lilly Pulitzer / thrifted handbag / Wal Mart sandals

Well hello there readership! While sadly I can no longer claim that I am still within gazing distance of a palm tree (that photo is from my last day in Florida), we have been having a remarkable spell of weather here in Scotland, and I have been very busy trying to lap-up every last moment of sun and warmth while it's here. You just never know. This time of year, when you have a protracted spell of beautiful weather, that might very well be your whole allotment of summer, you just never know. That said, there's no time like the present to have a brief discussion about what on Earth to do with one's skin during the warmer summer months. This is something I grapple with every year. In fact, it's probably safe to say that I never stop grappling with it, and it isn't just limited to summer. Basically, I loathe wearing foundation. I need something  to even-out my skin tone a bit and provide a little SPF, but for several years now, I have not been able to bring myself to like what I see in the mirror when I'm wearing foundation. Long story short, I have essentially given up, electing instead to try to create a halfway-decent facial canvas by focusing on skincare and a few well-appointed illuminating products. Full disclosure: I was encouraged by a friend to make this post into a video, but as much as I loved the idea, I didn't have the time to figure out lighting and backdrops that would enable you to see these products in action. As it is, there is still no better way to try something than just to try it, so with no further ado, here are my current products in my rotation that are a part of my everyday routine. They've made my life easier - I like them a lot, and I think that you might too. Biossance + Squalane Antioxidant Cleansing Oil It was actually on this last trip to Florida that my friend who was visiting convinced me to try a cleansing oil. Both of us are from the Sea Breeze Generation - in our formative teenaged years oil was treated as something that should be removed from the body with the same enthusiasm as a demonic attachment. While those days are long behind us, there is still that little part of me that is always a bit shy of putting something oil-based on my face. Even when I need to, and I have definitely reached that time in my life when there is no question that I need to. I chose this one because it gets the highest rating from the Environmental Working Group's cosmetic safety database.  I try to use the database whenever I can (note: they don't always have everything you might use in the database). In the world of cosmetic safety, it is still very much the wild west, and there are a lot of products out there that have all sorts of strange things in them, and labelling requirements are different from country to country, and are at best, inconsistent. But I digress. Squalane is a pretty cool thing; it's a lab-engineered compound that is bio-identical to the squalane that your body makes naturally to moisturize itself (allegedly this compound was once only available commercially from sharks, yikes!) I also purchased a moisturizer from them, and it's great! Both the facial wash oil and the moisturizer keep my skin soft and supple without irritation, funky perfumes or overreaching claims of turning you into a Goddess - it just works. Farsali Rose Gold Elixir & Ulta 24k Beauty Oil I couldn't find either of these products in the EWG database, but my desire to try these products overwhelmed my sense of self-preservation (doesn't it always), and I went for not one but two different gold-infused oils to try. Granted, I did not need two of what is essentially exactly the same product, but I was feeling a bit experimental. Basically both of these products are moisturizing facial oil blends with little bits of 24k gold flake floating around in it. When you spread it on your skin, on your lips, drop it into your foundation (well, not me), or just put it wherever, it imparts a lovely glow to the skin. What's the difference? To be honest, not much. The Farsali product is a lighter-weight oil to feel; it spreads easily, has a lovely light scent, and soaks in in about 5 minutes. The Ulta oil is a thicker oil, has a lavender essential oil scent (which I love), and despite its heavier feel, soaks in much more quickly. Oh, and at $20 it is also less than half the price of the Farsali. I plan on using both of them, so I didn't mind buying two of the same product. I would however, probably save some cash and just go right for the Ulta version, but the Farsali version is lovely too. Boots No. 7 City Light Tinted Moisturizer & Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer Both of these products are really lovely. The Boots City Light I actually purchased for the first time in a fit of fed-up impulsive "I quit foundation forever" exasperation. The very first time I tried it I was hooked. It comes in three shades (light, medium, and medium-dark), is moisturizing yet soaks in quickly and leaves a nice satin finish to the skin, and with just a hint of evened-out color. I use Medium in winter when I'm pale and Medium Dark in the summer. It's always a bit of a celebratory moment when I get to graduate from Medium to Medium Dark. I'm onto the medium-dark right now - because I know you were curious. The Laura Mercier Illuminating tinted moisturizer is one that I have tried in the past and liked very much, but decided it was too shiny for me. I revisited it recently because I realized that time has moved-on, and I am not very deeply ensconced in the "illluminating" period of my cosmetic lifespan - the perfect time to give this one another go. It did not disappoint. It's quite a bit pricier than the Boots version - $45 as opposed to $14, but it really is a lovely product. In fact, I was debating whether or not I was going to spend the money while I was at a Sephora in Tampa, having just been in there and smeared it all over my face. I decided to go walk around a bit to think it over, and went into Gap to buy some bras. At the checkout, the lady told me, unprompted, that my skin looked amazing. Sold. I practically ran back to Sephora to get the stuff. NYX Bright Idea Illuminating Stick in Chardonnay Shimmer Another impulse buy that I ended up loving and keeping for the forever pile. Actually, when you go on an impulse makeup search and destroy mission, this is actually probably a sign that you are looking for something to meet a need that is currently unmet in your current regimen. This stick was a purchase meant to replace the little tubes of highlighter, and eyeshadows and whatnot  - to replace all of that with just one product. It worked, and to this day, it is literally the only "eyeshadow" I even use. It's incredibly user-friendly and goes on in a pinch. A swipe on the browbones, the cheekbones, the chin...done. Don't bother me with things I have to "dust" or "dapple" or anything like that. I've got this big crayon for my face and it's all I need. This comes in a variety of colors too for those who might want to play with color. Revlon Youth FX Fill & Blur Concealer I'm on my second tube of this concealer, which I have found is the perfect under-eye concealer for me.  Granted, it's very lightweight, so if you've got serious bags, you may find that this doesn't have enough coverage, but I absolutely love it. The applicator makes it easy to apply with a few swipes and I use my fingers to blend. I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of eye makeup that I have to keep dipping my finger into. I use the Medium color, which has just a hint of peachy tone to it which is perfect for covering-up the blue in under-eye circles. There is just a hint of highlight in this as well, sometimes I might use it at the corners of my nose or on the "marionette lines" at the corners of my mouth just for a bit of lift - it's so lightweight it just sort of blends right in. If I have any blemishes that need concealment, I keep a heavier-duty concealer (I think I use L'Oreal True Match in beige) that perfectly matches my skin tone on hand for those. Thankfully, old age seems to be going easier on my in that department. For now. Boots No. 7 Pop & Glow Blush Stick Even when I've been outside a lot and don't really need color on my face, I like to add just a hint of rosiness to my rather yellow-olivey complexion. This cream blush stick from No. 7 is perfect, and just like with the NYX highlighter stick, the same ease of use rules apply. Easy to travel with, easy to apply - you don't need a lot of tools. You don't need any tools, actually.