I’ll admit it. I’m not a fashionista.

Never have been.

Probably never will be.

I love to look “smart” and to dress nicely but sometimes I think my idea of what is “nice” or “smart” is just a little off from what is fashionable these days.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect much here – I’m  a middle-aged momma for Pete’s sake. I don’t want to look like a Desperate Housewife (even if I had the financial means to do so).

But I do want to look put together – and look like I am at least somewhat aware of the current trends in fashion, even if I am not a slave to them.  I work from home so there is really very little reason on most days to get out of my yoga pants and sweats, but I don’t think it is a good idea to fall into that trap long term.

I like looking nice. I want to look nice for the girls and SuperMan when they come home in the afternoons.  And I think I am more productive at work when I take the time to get myself together in the mornings. Kind of puts me in the right frame of mind.

And I most definitely don’t want to become a frumpy middle-aged momma. No way. No how.

I got an idea from a fellow blogger not too long ago… (hi, Daenel!)

She mentioned that she pins outfits she likes and then uses that to shop her closet and try to come up with similar outfits.

Isn’t that just the coolest idea?

She also posts a “What I Wore Wednesday” weekly post that I can’t wait to see each week. She has the greatest, quirky (self-proclaimed) style. I love seeing her outfits and wondering if I could pull them off, too. She’s inspired me.

To that end, I’ve gotten rather addicted to looking at the “Fashion” category in Pinterest. Granted, it’s kind of like looking at million-dollar homes and wishing that one day I’d have the means to live that way.  Most of what is on those “fashion” pins is aimed at a generation twenty years younger (or more) than me and for gals who are either not moms or have flatter tummies than I have

as well as bigger shopping budgets than I do.

So, I’ve started pinning some things to challenge me to step outside my usual outfit combos.  I want to see if I can come up with some new outfits to wear without having to buy something new.

I’ll let you know how it goes –

In the meantime I thought I’d share some of my current favorite pins with you – (click on the picture to pin)

^ LOVE this – casual, yet fashionable & chic – especially the sweater &  necklace (and handbag!)

^ And loving the sweater, earrings & shoes above – I need to get some ballet flats this spring.

(can you see a trend here? – jeans, jeans, jeans)

^ This one I am in love with the necklace and top.

And I LOVE the lace top below. I bought an off-white lace top last year at T J Maxx and have yet to wear it because I didn’t know what to do with it in spite of being in love with it – this outfit gives me an idea or two –

I just need to get my hands on a rustic leather jacket now

I have a grey sweater almost identical to this one – I think I’ll be trying this out this week (once the weather warms up)

And, finally, loving the polka dots and ruffles here. Every time I see polka dots it reminds me of my grandpa. He loved polka dots.  This is such a girly outfit, I just love it.

Now that I’ve pasted these here, I’m also seeing more than just a jeans trend – neutrals, feminine, etc.

It’s interesting to see what your tastes are when you’re picking without thinking about anything other than “hmmm…. I like that” and then you see the pattern that emerges.

Now to go plunder in my closets and see what I can come up with…