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Suzanne Carillo

40+ Adventurous style solutions for the uncommon woman

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  • Suzanne Carillo adventurous style for the uncommon woman over 40
  • buy vintage online vintagebysuzanne etsy shop
  • DIY projects suzanne carillo over 40 adventurous style
dressing for my fantasy life Suzanne Carillo

Fantasy Life Escape To The Château

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what have we done wild fire emergency australia

What Have We Done? Environmental Emergency

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zack pinsent commitment to style and sustainability

Commitment To Style & Sustainability Zack Pinsent

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top tips to thrift quality footwear

Top Tips To Thrift Quality Footwear

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Bloggers Without Limits & 2 Strangers On A Plane

November 18, 2019 by suzanne carillo

I’m back from a whirlwind trip to BC to visit family and friends. 

When I arrived this vibrant woman was waiting for me at the airport.

Understated Style over 50 LOL

Of course it’s the one and only Mel Kobayashi from Bag and a Beret.

Bloggers Without Limits

Mel and I understand each other perfectly.  We know that anything worth doing is worth over doing.  The main question when we get together is how much trouble we can get in. There are no limits as long as it’s fun or funny but ideally both.

over 50 bloggers mel kobayashi suzanne carillo
Excuse my lack of makeup. I’d just gotten off the plane and had been up since 3 am.

Middle-aged Tweens

Mel invented the acronym MAT (middle-aged tween) and that is the best way to describe our time together. 

Mel Kobayashi Over 50 style blogger and model
Taking the regular bathroom selfie up a few notches

Laughing is our number one priority when together.

Mel has so many wonderful creative ideas and one of them was, “2 Strangers On A Plane”. You know, when you’re on a plane and are forced into awkward conversation with the person sitting next to you? We’ve all been there right? I agreed to film the debut episode with Mel as her guest.

On the first day of filming I risked losing my voice from laughing so hard.

We filmed in the tub because it had the best light in our hotel room. We sat next to each other on a little ledge and the tripod was placed at the opposite end inside the tub. It was cozy!

We improvised pretty much everything and laughed until we cried. The usual over fifty thing to do.

That video turned out to be mostly unusable due to lighting issues.

Day two started out with the video below which some of you may have already seen on Mel’s Instagram.

Apparently there is an audience for middle-aged tweens. It has been viewed some 8,800+ times and counting. Who knew?

*Warning* There is talk of Kegels and other wildly inappropriate topics by two women over fifty.

Here is Mel showing how easy it is to be a professional model.

Professional over 50 model, actress and comedian, Mel Kobayashi

Here I am trying to pose like Mel and failing miserably.

Over 50 style blogger Suzanne Carillo
The pleather jumpsuit was an anniversary gift recently from the husband.
Over 50 style bloggers Suzanne Carillo and Mel Kobayashi
This was taken before the wild video ride.

We walked through Nordstrom on our way to the hotel and we expressed how much we’ve both pulled back on our personal style, leaning towards simpler lines and classic, basic styles. Then I caught our reflection while walking by a full length mirror and burst out laughing.

Who are we kidding?

We might be drawn to simple silhouettes and neutral tones but we’re not wearing them. In our minds we’ve gone mainstream but our personal style choices tell a whole other story.

Case in point, we stopped by a Club Monaco for an experiment.

We chose outfits in classic styles and beautiful fabrics and modeled them to see how they would make us feel.

Many people judge our styles to be over-the-top and extravagant.

I’ve heard others say they could never wear what I wear because they’d feel like they’re wearing a costume.

Turns out it’s the exact same for us but in reverse.

Club Monaco style experiment, two bloggers change their personal style drastically, how clothing changes how we see ourselves.
How do you like our fake model laughs? Scary right? We both look like serial killers.
before and after suzanne carillo mel kobayashi Club Monaco style experiment
I don’t have to tell you which is the before and after do I?

Okay Mel looks great in everything, that is clear but can you see the look on my face? That’s me feeling like a total imposter in my clothes. Proof that confidence is everything when it comes to personal style.  

over 50 style bloggers suzanne carillo mel kobayashi bag and a beret

And here we are back to our normal selves. Whew.

Have you ever tried to step out of your personal style and try something new?

How did it make you feel?

In case you missed our Gucci Girlfriends Gigglefest meetup see it here. 

Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl

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Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy

November 4, 2019 by suzanne carillo

Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy

Know Your Style

This is the first time I’ve ever had on a Missoni piece. 

how do i know if something is right for me questions to ask before you buy more clothes

It’s pretty wild. The knit is lightweight, possibly a viscose blend and excellent quality. I can see where it would last forever. 

Look at the cut!

oversized missoni rainbow striped cardigan for sale questions to ask yourself before you buy know your style

Insane right?

I believe I can fly! LOL

It’s like I’m wearing an oversized cardigan made for SpongeBob SquarePants. 

spongebob_squarepants

Doesn’t everyone take their fashion cues from SpongeBob? 

SpongeBob understands the style hardships of being short waisted. 

It’s not often that you see how to dress a square body shape.  Rectangles yes, squares not-so-much. 

questions to ask yourself before you buy know your style suzanne carillo
Missoni cardigan one size fits most for sale.

Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy

Initially I thought I wanted to hang onto this designer cardigan as I’m unlikely to come across another in the future but I came to realize it’s just not my vibe.  

It’s taken me a long time to learn what works and more importantly, what I’ll actually wear. 

What Works For My Body And My Life

My days often consist of walking the dog and photographing/listing items in my Etsy store. My daily stay-at-home outfits need to be pug hair friendly and easily tossed in the wash. That usually means jeans, a tee and a sweater or hoodie. Not very blog-worthy but they are practical.

When I go out thrifting, to meetings or appointments I wear the outfits I show on my blog.  

Most days though only my pug and husband see me and although Zoë can be judgemental I find as long as I’m not late feeding her she doesn’t care what I’m wearing.

you do you pug zoe professional assistant
You do you.

Know Your Style Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy

1.  Do I love it more than..?

A great way to tell if something works for you is to ask yourself, “Would I reach for this piece over everything else I own?”  That’s a quick way of knowing where it stacks up in your priorities.

2.  What’s wrong with this piece?

Thinking of all the reasons you wouldn’t opt to wear a piece will help you cull your wardrobe and avoid adding pieces that take up valuable space. 

3.  Does it work with what I already own?

Obviously if it doesn’t work with other pieces in your closet you shouldn’t be buying it. That’s a given. Don’t trick yourself into thinking otherwise. 

4.  Does it fit my lifestyle?

If you dress casually 99% of the time you don’t need a closet filled with cocktail dresses. I will admit that I struggle with this sometimes and find myself taking home items that are better suited to someone that attends red carpet events and galas weekly.  I blame some of that on my love of vintage. There are so many fabulous vintage gowns just waiting to be worn. 

5.  Do I own something similar? 

I mean how many bold print maxi dresses does one really need?

Don’t answer that. 

6.  Does it make me feel good about myself?

This should be a no-brainer. If something doesn’t make you feel good about yourself you won’t wear it. 

7.  Does it fit me correctly?

Items that pinch, hurt, make you sweat, ride up or otherwise make you constantly adjust yourself should be an immediate no. 

8.  Do I feel like myself when I’m wearing this?

We’ve all been there, you put on something only to see some unhappy stranger staring back at you in the mirror.  If it doesn’t feel like you don’t buy it.  Bottom line, you can do better.

Missoni Cardigan

This cardigan is a groovy statement piece and will make a fine addition to someone’s closet, just not mine. 

Are you good at recognizing what fashion works best for your body and life?

I’m heading off to visit family and friends out west soon, I’ll catch up with you again upon my return.

If you want to see what mischief I get up to I’ll most likely be posting to my Instagram while I’m gone.

know your style questions to ask yourself before you buy 

Learn how to create your own Style Statement.  

 

Linking up with Visible Monday, Turning Heads Tuesday, Fancy Friday, and Spy Girl

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Hi! I’m Suzanne

Suzanne Carillo About

I'm a 50+ avid secondhand shopper, vintage lover and reseller that caters to the incessant demands of a diva pug named Zoë.

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Vintage by Suzanne Clothing
Vintage 60s Floral Palazzo Jumpsuit - 1960s Wide L Vintage 60s Floral Palazzo Jumpsuit - 1960s Wide Leg Colourful Sleeveless Jumpsuit With Pockets - Small
Vintage 60s Floral Palazzo Jumpsuit - 1960s Wide L Vintage 60s Floral Palazzo Jumpsuit - 1960s Wide Leg Colourful Sleeveless Jumpsuit With Pockets - Small
Vintage 60s Floral Palazzo Jumpsuit - 1960s Wide L Vintage 60s Floral Palazzo Jumpsuit - 1960s Wide Leg Colourful Sleeveless Jumpsuit With Pockets - Small
Vintage 1940s Dress - Chinese Asian Cheongsam - Ab Vintage 1940s Dress - Chinese Asian Cheongsam - Abstract Leaf Print - Midi - Short Sleeve - Teal - Mandarin Collar - Large 33" Waist
Vintage 70s Boho Handmade Summer Dress - 1970s Pin Vintage 70s Boho Handmade Summer Dress - 1970s Pinafore Tiered Full Skirt Dress - Resort Wear Vacation BBQ Picnic Dress - Small
70s 80s Novelty Print Eagle Surf Shirt Hawaiian Sh 70s 80s Novelty Print Eagle Surf Shirt Hawaiian Shirt Men - HANG TEN - Men Small Women Medium
I changed up some of the artwork on my office wall I changed up some of the artwork on my office wall. They are by the wonderfully talented Deidre Wicks from Toronto. Her whimsical works always put a smile on my face. ⁣
I have a whole collection of her pieces but now I see she also does greeting cards. I think I'm going to be spending some more $.
You can see the groovy print here a bit better, an You can see the groovy print here a bit better, and my sparkly silver booties.
Should it stay or should it go now? ⁣ ⁣ Argh. Should it stay or should it go now? ⁣
⁣
Argh. I don't know. I have a feeling I'll keep it for a bit. ⁣
⁣
The fabric is thick but the design is so cool.
Vintage 1980s Grey Handbag - Pleather Animal Frien Vintage 1980s Grey Handbag - Pleather Animal Friendly Vegan Square Purse - Gold Trim - Shoulder Strap - Envelope Style - Art Deco
Vintage 80s Cotton Floral Midi Skirt - PORTS INTER Vintage 80s Cotton Floral Midi Skirt - PORTS INTERNATIONAL - Small 26" - Pockets - Pleated Pastel Summer Maxi Skirt - Romantic Boho
Vintage 90s Pink Cotton Maxi Skirt - RALPH LAUREN Vintage 90s Pink Cotton Maxi Skirt - RALPH LAUREN - Large 32" - Pockets - Designer Deadstock NWT Pastel Summer Midi Skirt - Romantic Boho
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