LIGHTING IT UP BLUE IN APRIL
I am lighting it up blue in April! Some of you might have heard me talk about my activities in the woman’s club. I have been a member of the woman’s club for around 15+ years. One of the things I like about being a member of the woman’s club, is that we are involved in activities that affect members of our community.
I am in blue today, not because it is a color that looks good on me, but for Autism Awareness and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month, which are both in April. In an effort to bring awareness to both of these issues, our club is putting up pinwheels, the symbol of Child Abuse Prevention, and blue puzzle piece’s, the symbol for Autism Awareness, in our town. Some of our club members met, and put up the symbols and blue bows, at a few places in town.
One of our club members has an autistic child, and when she joined the club I asked her if there were any issues she would like to see our club get behind. She immediately said Autism. I told her to let us know what we could do, and she got right on that. We sponsored a “Light It Blue” program in town and encouraged businesses, along with individuals, to put blue light bulbs on their porches and in their windows. And we sponsored a 5k run/walk with the proceeds going to a local group of teachers and parents who use the funds for local children with autism. We also met with county and town officials, and had them sign proclamations. You can read about her story in an article she wrote for out website here, it is beautiful and touching.
You have seen me in cobalt multiple times since I started blogging eons ago in September. It has always been one of my favorite colors. I bought this Joan Rivers longer cardigan at the QVC outlet for next to nothing. If I tell you how much I paid, I feel like I am just rubbing it in. Lol! Here is how I styled the cardi last time I wore it. This Liz Clairborne (on sale) is very similar. This Ralph Lauren in the plus size is more like mine, but this one here is just as nice, and half the price.
I love the Vera Bradley leather purse that I bought in Florida at the Vera outlet. I carry it almost constantly, and I can always say I am adding a pop-of-color when people give me that, “That purse doesn’t match” look. Haha The pants I have on are very old. They are Karen Kane, and I bought them years ago at a little boutique in town. This pair is as close to mine as I could find. I am wearing my Marc Fisher wedge sandals. I like the gold circle buckles down the front, I think it adds a little dressiness to the shoe.
I decided to wear some vintage jewelry today. I have on a two strand glass bead necklace with gold metallic stripes. It is strung on a yarn type material. The other necklace is on a braided navy string with navy glass beads and interlocking glass circle beads. It has a dangle of carved glass that looks oriental. 
The dreaded back, or side view. I just can’t make myself do a full back view. Haha 
I almost forgot my top, it is one that I have had so long, that I can’t remember buying it. The tag says Cato, so I’ll give you three guesses to figure out where it came from . Haha This tank top buttons up and is a silky type material. I like wearing this in the summer with shorts, it is just cool and easy. It flows away from the body, so no bumps are visible. That is my kind of shirt. Here is a similar top that has sizes up to a 4X.
Here is a forewarning about the next couple of days. I am over booked in my activities. I am going downtown tonight to help with the decorating of the bridge in blue. On Saturday we will be having a District meeting of the woman’s club and I am the President of the District. So I have to finish my script for the meeting, do the agendas, make a program, make sure the decorations are ready to go, and oversee the food for breakfast. If that wasn’t enough, we are going out to dinner (and karaoke) on Friday night with the President, and the 3rd Vice-President/Director of Junior Clubs, of GFWC Virginia Woman’s Clubs. SO, my upcoming posts might be brief.
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Thank you for Lighting it up blue”. It is near and dear to my heart, my 19 year old grandson has autism, and it is a struggle. We need all the awareness possible. God bless you.
Where is the QVC outlet located? I’m going to Florida next week and hope I’m near it!
Rebecca, the store I frequent is in Virginia. The stores I went to in Florida are the Prime Outlets in Orlando.
Hello!
LOVE your blue outfit! That shade of blue is one of my favorite colors! On another note, thank you for mentioning the GFWC and your club. I am a member of our chapter here in Jamestown, NC. We started and chartered our chapter three years ago and I am now about to finish my job as secretary for those three years! What a learning experience! What is the name of your club in Virginia? We are, of course, still learning our way around and it’s so awesome to read about club’s like your’s. Thank you for posting what you all are doing this month. Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Melissa
Thanks for reading my blog. Our club is the GFWC Grundy Woman’s Club. You can read all about our club at http://www.gfwcgrundywomansclub.com
I’ve said it before, but it’s so true….BLUE is your color! Love the outfit. BTW, I stopped in our local CATO yesterday after work. IDK the last time I went by there. Their manage owes you a big “thank you.”
As a teacher, I’ve had my share of autistic students. My daughter-in-law’s mother works specifically with autistic students at a high school in another local school district. My sweet D-I-L bought both of us pretty bracelets with blue stones for us to wear this month. I appreciate what your club is doing.
Just subscribed and already I am in love with your fashion sense! I just lost 20 pounds and I’m ALMOST ready to shop for new clothes. With your blog, I know I’ll be there soon! Thanks!
I have only recently found your blog. I love it! I look forward to seeing your post everyday. I feel like you dress the way I like to dress.
You look great in blue! Very becoming.
You have a beautiful profile in that “dreaded picture” and a beautiful heart to be giving your time in such needed places. My daughter teaches adaptive aquatics to Austic children so there is a special place in my heart for those helping Austism. Thanks for all you do!
Finally! A blog sharing affordable fashion for women over 50. Love your style. I to wear jeans now and then with a little distressing on them. I’m always asking my daughter, sister and husband if they are to young looking for me. I’m a bit of a plain Jane but have been trying to add a bit of color to my wardrobe lately and reading your blog is giving me lots of inspiration.
I totally agree!
Tania,
It’s very gratifying to see that behind your beautiful fashion looks there is also a woman of substance who cares so much about her community. I also want to congratulate you on being chosen as one of the top five bloggers over 50, especially since you began the blogging adventure only six short months ago. You make it all look easy but I know it’s not. Excellent going!!
You look beautiful in blue! Well, as a matter of fact, you have looked beautiful in every other color I have seen you in! But I do appreciate you wearing blue today and for the work your club does in promoting Autism Awareness. I have two grandchildren with autism. They are brother and sister, with different degrees of autism. So, this is close to my heart! Thanks for all you do!!! I always enjoy your post so much, God bless you as you continue to serve Him!
Part of the reason I look forward to your posts are you inspire me to bump up my style and share such great insight on happenings in your life. I was unaware of blue with Autism Awareness and will look at the subject in a different light, literally. It truly is an important cause to support and congrats to you folks for decorating of the bridge!
Speaking of blue, that outfit is striking on you. I’ve been so inspired my credit card will stretch today since I found some blue polka dot wedge sandals on QVC for sale today I would not have considered before. So, fingers are crossed they will fit and be comfortable. Then I saw a pair of mint color sneakers, similar to the old Keds I wore as a child, and bought them, doo.
You’ve been fortunate to visit the QVC outlets. I’m headed for a visit to the West Chester area this summer and my husband has already been warned he’ll need to find a nice comfortable bench to wait with the other men while I shop till I drop!
That makes me smile, Audrey. But, I NEVER take Joe shopping with me.
I did not see where you got the blouse. I loved it as well. Wish I lived near a QVC outlet. I would get in trouble. lol
I love the cobalt blue. It is a great color for you. I wear a lot of cobalt or royal blue because I work at a high school & royal blue is our school color. For graduation, I plan to wear a white lace dress that I found on sale at Belk. I would love some ideas on how to style that white dress with cobalt or Royal blue accessories. I am on the lookout for some blue shoes & jewelry or a light scarf. I love big earrings. Any ideas?
Stacia, I have a white outfit coming up shortly. I will try to remember and style a couple blue accessories with it. My high school colors were blue and white, so I know ALL about those colors. ?
I love cobalt blue on you! I especially love the shoes you have on – very pretty, and they really do dress up that look. Your jewelry is lovely, and your bag even matches your toes! So cute! This look is a “win” for me.
Thank you and your co-members for putting up pinwheels, the symbol of Child Abuse Prevention, and blue puzzle pieces, the symbol for Autism Awareness, around town. I have to tell you, JoBeth’s story about her son had me in tears – what a precious little boy! I truly appreciate the work your women’s club has done to educate people about autism. More people need to be educated about the condition, and what we can do as a community to help parents and children who face the challenges it brings.
Congratulations to you on going from being selected as the GFWC Virginia LEADS participant to serving the state as GFWC Virginia Southwestern District President for 2014-2016; and on serving as Parliamentarian and Public Issues Co-Chairman.That’s quite an honor! Not only that, but congratulations also on being named Recruiter of the Year – twice! Your family and friends must be awfully proud of you.
I don’t know where you get the energy to do it all, but I’m so glad that you do. Thank you for your commitment to community service, and to making the world a better place. Keep up the good work, and blog on!
Goodness, Alyson, you must have read ALL of JoBeth articles. Haha She is such a talented young lady, and the club is lucky to have her. I am most thankful for being able to call her my friend.
You know, it was such a hectic month last year that I forgot to go back and look at this. Haha! You’re a rat, but I’m sure happy your one of my rats. 😛
Alyson, I don’t know how I’m only just seeing this, but thank you for your kind words. Our sweet boy changes each day. I’ll share this with you: The other day, we were cuddling before bedtime and I told him, “Why don’t you just sleep with Mommy and Daddy tonight?” He immediately got up, went to his room, grabbed a stuffed animal and a cup, hopped in bed with me, and pulled the covers over his head (his usual ‘I’m ready for bed’ signal). No cue other than my words told him to do this, which means he really DOES understand everything we’re saying. I was over the moon!