How to Style This Season's Hottest Color Combo: Brown & Cream with Ageless Style

Ageless Style is a monthly style challenge and link up for women of all ages.   Each month we pick a different theme and style an outfit based on that theme.  This month's theme is a color challenge of "Chocolate Brown and/or Cream"  and was picked by ME!

This month it was my turn to pick the challenge theme.   Generally, when I pick a challenge, I try to choose a trending fashion because I think most women who are interested in fashion are also interested in what is trending in fashion.  I picked this color challenge because when I went shopping recently everything, and I mean EVERYTHING I saw in the stores was chocolate brown paired with cream or "winter white".  I saw a little bit of green in the stores too, but I didn't see anything red, which I found humorous because red is being labeled this fall's "it" color.  But, as I've said for years, it seems to always take a year or more when a color picked by fashion experts as "this season's 'it' color"  makes it down to the stores;  so I expect to see a lot more red in the years to come.

I have heard a lot of women say they just don't like the color Chocolate Brown.  That's ok.  You can skip a trend if you don't like it.  For me, I have always loved wearing brown, perhaps it is my coloring, but I think it looks better on me than black, so I couldn't be happier this color is trending.

In this post, I am showing you two different outfits and multiple ways to wear the color so even if you don't like the color, or think it doesn't flatter you, you can still find a way to incorporate the trend into your daily looks.

Outfit #1

Chocolate Brown Pants

For my first outfit I'm showing how you can wear chocolate brown away from your face if you don't think it is a color that compliments you.  By wearing chocolate brown pants the trending color is on the lower half of my body and the cream color is on top.  

My pants are new from TJMaxx;  they are by D.JEANS.    It's hard to see in the photos, but they have a cuffed bottom which is also super-trending in jeans and pants.  The cream sweater, suede booties, and plaid shacket are all old. 

Although I purchased the shacket back in 2021, it is still available on Amazon.

Outfit #2

Chocolate Brown Cardigan and Boots

Another way to incorporate this trending color is in small doses like your footwear, or even a handbag.  My booties are new this season from DSW.

Here I'm wearing Chocolate Brown close to my face with the Chocolate Brown cardigan.  I actually think this color is very flattering on me, so I can wear it top or bottom.

I purchased my Chocolate Brown cropped cardigan from Amazon.  I really like it, it's not too thick and the buttons are so cute! Cropped cardigans as still so "in" this year.  My wide leg cream pants are also new this year.  These were purchased from a local boutique;  I showed you these pants in last month's Ageless Style post, they are by Kut by the Kloth.    I've been wearing them a lot this fall, and I get so many compliments on them. 

So what about you?  What do you think of Chocolate Brown or the Chocolate Brown/Cream Color Combo?  Do you see yourself incorporating this color trend this year, or are you going to skip it?  I'd love to hear from you!

Next month's theme is "Holiday Wear" and was chosen by Bo!  If you want to join us, just email me before December 18th,  (email address located on my "contacts/follow" page in the side bar) and I'll include you in next month's post.

Have A Great Day! Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

And now be sure to check out how the rest of the ladies in our group our styling this color and link up with us as well!

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits

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Bo ~ Bo's Bodacious Blog

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Jennifer ~ Overflowing with Thankfulness

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Joanna ~ My Slice of Life

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Leslie ~ Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle

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The Lincoln Tomb and Historic Springfield

This past fall my husband and I spent one day in Springfield, Illinois learning all about one of our nations greatest presidents:  Abraham Lincoln.  While Abraham Lincoln has many ties to other states in our country, it was Springfield, Illinois where he married, raised his family, began his law practice, and ran for the President of the United States.  There is so much to see and do in Springfield, one day was not enough to cover it all.  I have previously covered the Lincoln Home and the Lincoln Presidential Museum, today's post is all about the Lincoln Tomb and Historic Springfield.

Abraham Lincoln is buried Oak Ridge Cemetery along with his wife and three sons.  His oldest son is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.  We were disappointed that the monument was under renovation when we were there (the story of our lives) so we couldn't get any great photos because scaffolding was in the way.  But, we understand the importance of preserving these national treasures.

The monument and tomb feature many important architectural symbols on the exterior.  The obelisk is an ancient Egyptian symbol for leadership.  A statue of Lincoln holding The Emancipation Proclamation in his hand stands at the base of the obelisk.  The monument also includes four bronze statues acknowledging the service of soldiers during the Civil War:  Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, and Navy.  At the final base of the upper deck is a chain of unbroken links that lists the initials of each state in the Union.

There is a huge bust of Lincoln's head outside his tomb.  The finish on the nose has been rubbed off by visitors (which is permitted, our tour guide instructed us to rub his nose) because legend has it that rubbing his nose brings good luck.

To our surprise, you couldn't enter the tomb without a guide.  The guide begins at the bust, tells you to rub Lincoln's nose, then offers to take your photo before taking you inside the tomb.

The interior of the monument features several bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln that show guests different stages and roles of his professional life.  It is constructed of marble and contains a rotunda, a burial room, and connecting corridors. 

There are four bronze tablets on the walls engraved with Lincoln's Farewell Address, the Gettysburg Address, a portion of the Second Inaugural Address (pictured below), and a biographical sketch.

The tombs of Lincoln's wife and three of his sons are located across from Lincoln's tomb.

The burial room features black and white marble and a ceiling of gold leaf.  The memorial monument is a seven ton reddish marble inscribed with Lincoln's name, and the years he lived.  Lincoln's body is buried about ten feet below and thirty inches behind the monument. Nine flags are arranged in a semi circle around the monument.  Seven of the flags commemorate the homes of Lincoln and his ancestors. The eight and nine flags are U.S. flag and the Presidential flag. 

In between visiting the Lincoln Home and the Lincoln Presidential Museum we had to grab lunch.  There is a restaurant inside the museum, but we preferred grabbing a bite in the historic downtown.  On our way to lunch, we saw the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices

It is such a cool, vintage building.  I love how they left the "dry goods" advertising on the building.

The hustling and bustling historic Springfield is loaded with nice restaurants and shops.

I just loved the architecture of the historic district.

This is the old capitol building where Lincoln tried several hundred cases in and gave one of his famous speeches "A house divided against itself cannot stand." It is now a state Historic Site.   I was so bummed that it was "closed indefinitely" for repairs.  Springfield does have a new capitol building which is absolutely gorgeous and is open for free tours, but unfortunately we ran out of time and couldn't visit it. 

The Old State Capitol was built in 1837-1840 and served as the State House from 1840-1876, when it was replaced by the current State Capitol.

Pictured below is the Springfield Union Station.  It is a former train station which is now operated by the Presidential Museum and Library.  It opened in 1898 and operated until 1971.  It is registered on the National Register of Historic Places.   The New Clock Tower was constructed in 2006 to replicate the tower removed in 1946.

I hope you enjoyed my visit to the Land of Lincoln.  Next week is Thanksgiving week, so I'll be taking that week off and I will continue with my fall vacation with a meet up with my kids and grandkids in Turkey Run State Park, Indiana!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

 

Simple Fall Decor

I feel the older I get the less clutter I want and the more desire I have to keep things simple.  A few years ago, I painted almost every room in my house white, where beforehand every room was painted a different color.  I love the clean simplicity of white and how when I decorate for the seasons, any style or color goes with it.  I don't have to limit my decor to what coordinates with the paint color on my walls.

As I took the photos, I was surprised at how neutral my fall color palette was this year.  I didn't plan on it.  I used a lot of fall decor I already owned, and only purchased a few new things.  But as it came together, somehow I naturally put together a neutral fall decor design.

Let's begin my fall decor tour in the dining room.

Tiered Trays used to be all the rage a few years ago.  I think they are still "in" as you still see stores selling items for tray decor, but they aren't as "hot" as they used to be.  I still enjoy changing mine out for the seasons.

I purchased a few new things for my tray this year because they were all on clearance at Hobby Lobby...my go to store for interior decorations!  All the black and white stuff plus the church window and the fuzzy mushrooms are new this year, everything else is old.  Jackson for some reason has taken a liking to the fuzzy mushrooms.  I am constantly finding them on the floor because he jumps up on the piano, knocks them to the ground, and then bats them around for a bit.  He is so disrespectful of my new decor. 😂

I have tried various locations for my tiered tray.  I use to keep it as a centerpiece on the dining room table, but I grew tired of something falling off every time someone bumped the table.  Now it almost always stays on top of the piano along with a photo frame.

I have Dollar Store fall plates above the piano along with a black and white church photo from Hobby Lobby.

I change the photos out seasonally.  When the kids all show up for Thanksgiving, we will take Christmas photos and then I'll put those photos in the frame.

On the other side of the room is a china hutch.  I put seasonal china in the hutch.  This is my antique harvest collection.  I picked up the entire set for only $10.00 many years ago.

On top of the china hutch I have a fall decorated pumpkin, a fall bird, a fall sign and some fall plates above.

I purchased four new fall plates this year from Hobby Lobby.  I love anything with mushrooms or birds on it, and I went crazy for the neutral color palette.

On another part of the room is another china hutch (yes, I have that much china) and here I display a fall sign, a fall arrangement, and a ceramic turkey.

The turkey is also new this year.  Again, I must really be attracted to neutrals because I loved the neutral design of this turkey and its etched design.

For my lower bedroom I changed out the quilt at the end of the bed to one with more fall colors.

Have you been shopping Aldi lately?  Wow! They have such amazing, inexpensive home decor now don't they?  I found this king size comforter (including two pillow shams) at Aldi for only $35.00.  This comforter is so soft and cozy, it feels like you are snuggled up inside a cloud.  The outside is a super soft fleece and the inside is lined with satin.  My bed is only a queen, but I bought a king because I wanted the comforter to reach the floor.

My "Together" pillow is from Walmart.  The color is perfect for fall.

Here is a close up of the inside of the comforter.  I can't recommend this comforter enough.  I love it so much I went to buy another one for a different bed, and they were all sold out.  If you ever see something at Aldi you like, scoop it up fast because they sell out fast.  You can always return it if it doesn't work out.

On the other side of the bedroom is a dresser where I placed a fall arrangement.

On the opposite side of the room I placed a fall arrangement on an end table.

The only fall decor I put in the living room were the small floral arrangements you see below.  I have two of these and placed one on each end table.  The living room is very "earthy" to begin with, so it doesn't need any changing up for fall.  Now, spring, is another story!

In the entry way I have a fall swag hanging on the inside of the door.

I love how you can see my outdoor fall decor inside my house.  Check out THIS POST if you missed my outdoor fall porch decorations.

In the entry way is a slim table which I decorate for the seasons.  I don't use this table for anything other than decor so I can go big here!

In my sitting room I simply put a cute fall floral arrangement in a tin on the end table and I added a fall photo of me and one of my grandsons in the frame.

I also put a few fall touches in my upstairs bedroom and hallway, but I forgot to take photos!😐 I don't think they've changed much from previous years so can click on one of the links at the end of the post if you really want to see those. 

And before I close I have to share my new rug from Amazon.  I needed a new one because the backing on my old rug was disintegrating and constantly leaving dust on the floor from the disintegrated backing.  It was also unsafe because the backing disintegrated.  It was constantly sliding and becoming a slip hazard.  I don't need any slip hazards at my old age 😁. Anyway, I am very pleased with the rug and apparently so is Jackson because he promptly made himself at home on it.  Oh, and if you're wondering what all the clutter is on the rug, they are just heavy weights to hold the rug down while it "relaxes" and learns to lay flat after being rolled up.

Want more Fall Decor Home Ideas?  Check out these posts:

Interior Fall Decor 2015

My Fall Home Tour 2018

My Fall Tiered Tray and Other Indoor Fall Decor

A Thanksgiving Table Setting for Children Under Five

Have A Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!