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Memorial Day Outfit & Coffee Talk

Well, the rain is back. I seem to recall many rainy Memorial Days, for some reason. I’m not sure why it always seems to rain on this day. It is warm, though, so there’s that. And we have had several gorgeous sunny days, so I can’t complain.

What are y’all up to today? We used to go back to the town where my husband grew up for their annual Memorial Day parade. We would meet his parents there, and it was such good old-fashioned family fun. Afterwards, we would go back to his house for a cookout. His parents have since moved into a retirement community, so we don’t go back to the parade anymore, and I miss it.

Speaking of Memorial Day parades, my grandfather will be marching in his hometown Memorial Day parade today. He is 99 years old, and he was stationed in the South Pacific in WWII. Sometimes when we visit, he will bring out his old army uniform and talk about his experience there. He can still fit in his jacket, and he’s pretty proud of that. He marches in his Memorial Day Parade every year, but he’s riding in a military jeep today. It will be the first year he hasn’t been able to walk, but he’s still excited and honored to participate. He will be the oldest veteran in the parade. I wish I could be there.

I read a lot of historical fiction, and lately I’ve read a couple of books that take place in occupied France during WWII. It wasn’t pretty. I often wonder how I would fare under such conditions, and I think about how easy it is to assume we will always have the freedoms we enjoy right now. I hope it is the case, but who knows?

Yesterday we spent the day at the pool with a family friend who is a reservist and has served three tours in the Middle East. I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices our military families make to preserve our freedom, and I’m forever grateful to those who are serving and have served.

As I sat by the pool yesterday, chatting with friends, soaking up the sun, I would look up occasionally and see our American flag flying over the panorama of kids frolicking in the water. I would pause for a minute to take in the sounds of laughter, splashing, squealing, chatting, and I felt so humbled and grateful for all who have fought and died so we can enjoy these simple pleasures and the promise of another carefree summer. I don’t take it for granted for a second, and I’m sure you don’t either.

Paul and I talked about finding a local parade to attend here today, but since it’s raining, I guess we’ll stay put. Plus, two of my three kids will be returning home from a sleepover at some point, and I’m guessing they’re not going to feel like going anywhere.

We spent the last two days at the pool, so today we’re going to regroup, get the house in order, and prepare for the week ahead. I think I’ve talked my husband into taking tomorrow morning off from work to do some outfit pictures. We were hoping to do some of those today, but it’s raining. Why do my conversations always come back to the weather? Ha!

I wanted to have a Memorial Day outfit to share with you, so my husband and I went out on Saturday morning to find a location with an American flag. We spent quite a while out and about, and when I got back and uploaded my pictures, I wasn’t happy with how the outfit turned out. You know how sometimes you put something on, and it seems to work, and then you see a picture of yourself, and you’re like, YIKES! That’s not what I saw in the mirror this morning!

Well, that’s what happened here.

Still, we spent two hours driving around and taking pictures, so I am posting them. If you’re one of those who thinks that I make it look easy, you can take comfort in the fact that none of us get it right 100% of the time.

Maybe you can help me figure out what went wrong, or maybe you’ll tell me I’m too hard on myself and it’s not that bad. I am sure I will hear a little of both. And of course, I’m only posting the pictures that flatter me somewhat. There are a ton that we ditched because I thought I looked like a frump-a-lump. Here goes.

jean jacket with red tank over stripe crop pants with flag

J.Crew Perfect Fit Tank (similar in red) // NYDJ Nichelle Stripe Stretch Slim Roll Cuff Ankle Jeans
similar crop denim jacket // Sam Edelman Georgette Sandals // Geo Tile Crosby Hobo (ON SALE!)
Stella & Dot Tiburon Necklace // bracelets c/o Alex and Ani // Fitbit Bracelet

So I was clearly going for red, white & blue. The pants came in my last Trunk Club, and I’m thinking they might be a size too big. They are an 8, but as I wore them, they stretched out quite a bit. I think they’d be more flattering if I went down a size.

NYDJ Nichelle Stripe Stretch Slim Roll Cuff Ankle Jeans

I love the classic blue ticking stripes for a change, and they have a nice shape to them. Because they’re NYDJ (that stands for Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) they have a higher rise than most of my jeans, and they have NYDJ’s exclusive lift-tuck technology that are supposed to help flatten the tummy and lift the rear. Again, mine are not tight enough to flatten or lift anything, so my advice is to size down in these.

On top, I wore a red tank and then topped it off with my jean jacket.

jean jacket with red tank and striped pants top

I thought the handbag was a fun addition, but as I look at these pictures, I can see that it is distracting, and it makes the pants look not so blue. My husband thought they were green. So… yeah, I think the outfit would have worked much better with my ivory saddlebag.

denim jacket with red tank and stripe crop pants

This picture shows the outfit without the bag. Isn’t it funny how one accessory can throw off an entire outfit? I don’t mind it so much like this, but I do wish the pants fit better. These sandals are super duper comfortable, by the way.

jean jacket with red tank and stripe crop pants

I have a funny look on my face because I was losing my balance. That pose is hard to maintain! LOL!!

Here’s a closeup so you can see the jewelry. I love this Tiburon necklace, but it might be too dressy for this outfit. The bracelets are from Alex and Ani, and the garnet ring is an old D Yurman piece my husband bought me for Christmas many moons ago.

jean jacket with red tank over striped pants top

So here’s one more full length with the flag flying high. I guess this outfit isn’t a total miss. It’s just not one of my favorites.

jean jacket with red tank and stripe crop pants with flag

However you choose to spend your Memorial Day, I hope you enjoy it. Soak in the sun if you have some, enjoy your family cookout or your last day at the beach. Whether we’re visiting the gravesite of a loved one or attending a patriotic parade or cleaning house or shopping the latest mattress sale, let’s all take a few minutes to honor those who lost their lives to preserve our freedom. 

Join The Conversation

44 Responses

  1. What about the people that are/were not US citizens, but still chose to join our military and fight alongside our men and boys on foreign soil? More than just an ordinary Monday for them and their families.

      1. I didn’t know you could join the U.S. Military if you weren’t an American citizen…learned something knew. Your outfit looks great, Jo-Lynn. I love NYDJ jeans and also need to size down. But I do love wearing their size 8’s when I usually need a 10. I also think it’s appropriate that it’s raining today, tears from heaven.

  2. I really like this outfit…one of my favorites! And I think the bag adds interest! I struggle with wearing silver jewelry with my jean jacket because of the gold buttons but you’ve shown it works!

  3. Hi Jolynne. I have never commented before but have been a faithful follower since January. You are amazing! Please don’t be so hard on yourself. I love that you are real. I can relate to you with weather, kids and outfit trial and errors. I just wanted you to know I appreciate the hard work you put into your blog., pictures, etc. Lots of love and respect, Michelle from Kansas (4 daughters and an amazing husband)

  4. You’re right; you’re too hard on yourself! I like that outfit on you a lot! And thank you for reminding us why we are celebrating today.

  5. Love the outfit ❤️ and don’t think the pants are too big. Of course, I’m older than you and probably most of your followers????. I agree that your ivory saddlebag might have looked better with this outfit, but love the bag and sandals!

  6. I actually really like it. I do agree with you on the bag, but it’s still a great Memorial Day outfit nonetheless. And I love that you have the theme going, but not too cliche or over the top.
    That is the coolest about your grandfather. I’m betting my dad could talk to him for hours about his experiences. He’s a huge WWII buff (esp the South Pacific) and the most patriotic person I know. He makes my mom sew American flag patches on all his button downs! Great coffee talk, thanks for sharing!

  7. I’ve commented on this before but it’s comforting to your readers to have you “mess up” every now & then. It helps us to know what things shouldn’t look like & I say this with the utmost respect. I love your blog. I thought the outfit looked great then after reading your comments, I was like “oh ya I can see that now”. You are educating your audience & we love u for it! Keep up the good work.

  8. I think the outfit is a hit! And appreciate it for what you were doing – celebrating Memorial Day & incorporating your style with our flag as a focal point (besides you, of course)! Beautifully done. Here in Holisterville, PA, we’ll be honoring our Veterans at our annual Memorial Day service. Very typical small country cemetery. We have 17 civil war veterans buried here. Our family does most of the preparation for this community event, but everyone from the community brings a covered dish for the lunch afterwards. Last year we had 170 in attendance. We are so thrilled that our adult children & grandchildren are all part of it. It is a very special tradition to hold onto. ????????God Bless America! ????????

  9. Jo Lynn, you could wear a burlap sack and make it look great! Love the outfit, more so, though, I love reading your commentary. Keeping it real. I truly enjoy your blog!

  10. Cute outfit! I really like the closeup pic with the jewelry. It shows details that some of the others don’t. Thank you for inspiring us again. Now to the closet fo find my patriotic outfit for today.

  11. I think you look wonderful and so relatable! You pick yourself apart and shouldn’t! You look beautiful.

  12. Hey Jo-Lynne,
    I know what you mean about being proud of our grandparents. They made some big sacrifices, whichever side they were on.
    Without regards to the outfit: I agree the trousers are too big on you. The bag is also distracting, due to the stripes in the trousers, as you say. But you still don’t look terrible, just not as great as you usually do! It’s comforting to know that you too struggle at times ???? I think with White skinnies this outfit would work very well.

  13. Raining here too on Long Island. We do the parade here and it was cancelled . Kinda a bummer. The kids love it and then we cook out. So the day is gonna be a long rainy one, lol. I will send my husband out to bbq in the rain. haha.

  14. Cute outfit! I agree that the bag is distracting and just too much. I saw a large navy bag yesterday that would be cute. Great post (as always)!

  15. Those pants are very cool, but look tan-ish/green (like your husband thought) in the wider pics. When I saw just the one pic, I wondered why you picked that tone instead of a brighter white (for a Memorial Day outfit)… but then I saw the pants up close and it all made sense! For me, that’s the only “miss” about this outfit in the pictures. I bet you can see those stripes WAY better in person. You look great and I don’t think the pants look too big at all. That’s probably how I would choose to wear them myself (although you are more the expert :)) Have a blessed day with your family! Thanks for telling us all about your amazing Grandpa! God bless him.

  16. I think the outfit is great, and you look beautiful as always. A patriotic outfit, without being over the top. This is our first week without school, and swimming lessons and such start tomorrow. Bring on summer! Enjoy the rain, heaven knows we could use some here in AZ!

  17. I agree the bag isn’t adding anything to the outfit. I laughed when you mentioned people buying a mattress this weekend. I was just texting with my family and my brother mentioned it’s his first memorial day off in 6 years. Because he’s no longer selling mattresses 🙂

  18. I think the outfit looks good. I see what you mean about the pants, Sometimes it’s about that they feel too big on then you’re like they look too big as well. I love the purse, reminded me I have one similar I need to get out. So cool about your grand dad! What an honor and how proud you must be! Enjoy your day!

  19. I think your OF looks really nice and appreciate your post about Memorial Day. I have been following you for some time now and have enjoyed your style & the fact that your a Christian. Thanks for sharing your faith with all of us.
    Recently I have had the desire to take pictures and your husbands photographs are just beautiful, do you mind to share with me what kind of camera he uses and what kind of lenses he uses? I’m not a blogger, just a granny that wants to take pictures of my dogs and grand kids. 😉

    1. LOL, Janae, that’s fun! He’s enjoying his little photography hobby. 🙂 He uses the Nikon D750 and he likes the 85mm fixed lens for my outfit pictures. A 50mm is a good one for people shots too, and usually not terribly expensive. It’s especially good for closeups of kids and dogs. 🙂

  20. Since my mom is a seamstress, I’ve learned a lot about fit in the last couple years (since I’ve been asking her questions). Usually when the pants pull across the hips that way, it’s a fit issue—not always just too big, but the crotch seam needs to be taken in. It’s probably because that brand’s measurements are different! I know what you mean when you say they feel big, although I don’t think it’s truly evident in the pictures unless you study them in detail. In real life, I bet no one would notice because your not stuck in time. I’ve done that alterations for 2 of my jeans, and it’s made a huge difference (especially in how they feel).
    The other aspect (IMO) is the print. My husband has pants in that seersucker print and they look great in person, but in pictures always seem to look somewhat off?
    In all reality, of course you’re being hard on yourself—if I met you in person for a coffee, I’d think you look fantastic (and I like the addition of the necklaces—not too dressy in my book!)
    jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  21. I think your outfit is cute and you look great! I bought my first pair of NYDJ last year and I am not happy with them at all. They stretch out way too much. I wonder why they just don’t make them true to size? Seems silly!!

  22. Jo-Lynne, The outfit is just fine. While I love the purse, I agree with you that it makes the pants look mint green. Here in south central GA, it is sunny, HOT, and humid. I’m soaking wet from the little bit I’ve done outside and still need to finish loading the trailer and putting tarps over the furniture.

    I love the story about your grandfather! How special! My dad was in the Navy in WWII.

    I am very thankful for all of the military personnel that gave their lives so that we could have freedom. God Bless America!

  23. I like the outfit! It is nice to see something a little different from jeans but still casual. you are right, the tote(which I love) does make the pants look greenish. I wouldn’t ditch the outfit though-Change the tote and instead of silver sandals, how about a navy blue or dark tan? A little Ralph Laurenish.

    1. Funny, the sandals weren’t really exciting me either, but I didn’t mention it because I couldn’t figure out why and I didn’t want to keep picking the outfit apart. They don’t do much for it, do they? I agree that a navy blue or tan would be nicer. My tan Tory Burch Miller sandals might have worked. Thanks for your feedback! 🙂

  24. I’m curious, what historical WWII fiction novels have you read? I read Winds of War last summer and found the history so interesting…it was really long though and took me the whole summer! I’m debating about starting the next one in the series or trying something new. Unbroken was fabulous if you haven’t read it yet!

    1. I haven’t read Unbroken, but we have it. My husband read it. I read Nightingale not too long ago, and that was haunting. https://amzn.to/1TRN6jb

      Also, All The Light We Cannot See. https://amzn.to/1PcRier

      There was another one that I read a few years before that was similar to Nightingale but not as graphic. I can’t recall the name. I generally don’t care for graphic, but I didn’t feel that any of these were gratuitous.

  25. Hi Jo-Lynn,
    Yes you are too hard on yourself, but I am the exact same way. So, while I think you look amazing as always, I can see what you mean about the jeans. I myself have this “problem” when it comes to NYDJ, which is why I don’t wear them. What works for some people, doesn’t work for everyone, and that is why we need bloggers like you (REAL PEOPLE) showing us REAL outfits!! Thank you for all your hard work!!

  26. When I ordered my NYDJ jeans a couple months ago, the website specifically said to size down one size, so you are correct in thinking you need a 6. I would say the Trunk Club made the mistake in sending you a size 8. Love your blog for all the reasons mentioned by others in their comments.

  27. I have a special place in my heart for those WWII veterans like your grandfather. Thank him for me.

  28. I think you are being too hard on yourself. Your outfit looks cute, and you look ready to hang out at a parade, take the jacket off when the sun comes out, and then enjoy a picnic 🙂 I do agree about the bag, though. It seems to overwhelm the outfit.

    I’ve read quite a bit of historical fiction set in WW2, and I’ve had some of the same thoughts. When I think about what they went through (soldiers and civilians), I know that we are very blessed and that I take a lot for granted.

  29. Love the bag but I don’t think it goes with the striped pants; too much going on. I think the bag would look great with solid color pants/jeans and the striped pants with a solid bag. I love your top half. 😉 the tank looks nice with the denim jacket and I love your jewelry.

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