Fashion Over Forty: New Utility Shorts and my Recent Favorite Finds

Happy Friday! 

Somehow it's already the last day of July! This was a busy month for us....Originally we had planned to visit family overseas, that of course was cancelled early in the year. Then I decided to book a place in Estes Park, Colorado to spend my birthday week (which was a couple of weeks ago) visiting the Rocky Mountains National Park. I made sure to book somewhere offering free cancellations and ultimately I decided the long trip  (14 hours drive) wasn't worth it with all the restrictions in place. (Yes, these decisions are ALWAYS up to me!)

So instead we decided to do some minor home updates and I've been planting several new flowers and shrubs in my backyard (I got another elderberry bush, a Rose of Sharon shrub (think I mentioned this one before), several new hydrangeas, a snowball bush and some smaller perennial flowers. Then this week I found a Chinese Wisteria. I haven't planted it yet as I need to do some research on how to grow/train this flowering vine in a tree form -  it can get quite invasive when grown as a vine. These plants were all found deeply discounted at a local hardware store's garden center. I really have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm having fun planting all these random shrubs and flowers and I've already enjoyed more butterflies than usual. Now if just the hummingbirds would show up!! I've only seen one this year the first day I filled up the hummingbird feeder...



This post includes some affiliate links meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always this is at no cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting this blog.


I'm sharing a casual shorts outfit today with a new pair of utility shorts. I've had a new pair of olive shorts on my wish list because my old pair needed replaced.

This summer I found the perfect olive utility shorts and when they were marked down I decided to purchase them in both the Olive and Taupe. I was thinking of sending one pair back (depending on what color I thought I preferred) but then decided to keep them both, although this olive pair is my favorite of the the two.

By the way, these shorts (here in Taupe) are still available and 50% off the original price. I recommend sizing down. I followed recommendations from the reviews and purchased them in 00  (instead of 0) and I am glad I sized down.

I'm calling these perfect because they have zippered pockets (so practical!) and are out of a super comfortable material, a blend of cotton, rayon and spandex. I also love the higher rise and the inseam lengths is perfect at 4.5". I've worn them several times already. They wash well and did not shrink. 

The t-shirt I borrowed from my daughter's closet. I'm not sure where it was purchased, maybe Kohl's but it's from last season. Tie Dye started trending last Summer and it's a big trend this year. I don't usually follow trends but really like the combination of the classic utility shorts with the trendy shirt. 

Nordstrom has several tie dye tops available, I like this one but it looks like something I'd probably size up one. I  also found and like this tie dye shirt at Kohl's (look for the color "blue tie dye). 

Tie Dye Shirt Option from Nordstrom // Tie Dye Shirt Option from Kohl's

By the way, if you're looking for a fun summer activity, you can always make your own tie dye shirt using a tie dye kit and a plain white top. We made a couple camisole tops a few years ago. So much fun!

I love nude colored sandals as they make short legs (like mine) appear longer - or at least they don't make them appear shorter :-) I've mentioned these before, this pair was purchased from The Walking Company retail store in Myrtle Beach, but they are also available online with free shipping. I'd say they run true to size or size down if in between sizes. I'm usually in a size 7.5 in sandals and I have these in a size 7. Very comfortable with built in orthotic. Also available in other colors.

This handbag you've seen before as well if you've been following my outfit posts. Another new purchase this summer. I love that it converts from crossbody to shoulder bag to clutch, depending on the occasion. 

Friday Favorite Finds:

Since I always enjoy reading everyone's favorite finds, I decided to include mine on the last Friday of each month (if I have any to share). These are random things I recently purchased online where I've been doing most of my shopping recently. 

A couple of months ago I discovered the Mrs. Meyers line of natural cleaning products. I signed up with Grove Collaborative for auto shipments (I do have control over how often and what they ship). My personal favorite scent is Rosemary but unfortunately it's out of stock. Hoping they restock!! I also tried and like their Grass scent, Lemon Verbena and Basil, but HATE their Honeysuckle scent (even though I loved a Honeysuckle scented hand wash I found at Marshall's from another brand a few  months ago). Lavender is ok, but it doesn't smell like Lavender to me. 

Some of the scents are also available at Walmart and Amazon.

I dropped and broke the corner off our old griddle and after some research decided to get this slimline griddle. At 22 inches it's larger than most which is perfect. This brand is also available on Amazon but I ordered mine from Walmart.

One of our litter boxes needed replaced too, and I found this high sided litter box at Chewy.com. I purchased the gray and we've been happy with it so far. I also ordered Iams Perfect Portions cat food and my cats seem to like it. (In the recent months they've been sort of refusing their usual Friskies wet cat food.)

Of course I had to include the utility shorts (Taupe version) I'm wearing in today's post.  These were my favorite (and only) clothing purchases since my LOFT orders in spring (I think). These are currently marked at 50% off. (I recommend going down one size.)

Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to stop by this week!

I'm linking up with these wonderful blogs:
Friday: Fancy Friday hosted by Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style // Lizzie in Lace //  Friday Favorites at Penny's Passion // A Little Bit of Everything // Friday Favorites // A Fireman’s Wife // Shelbee on the Edge //  Fabulous Friday Link Up with Lucy

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup

Monday: Away From Blue // The Queen In Between (first Monday) // Claire Justine Creative Mondays // Glass of Glam // Mutton Style // Inspire Me Monday // Ageless Style Linkup (1st Monday) // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures

Tuesday: The Fashion Canvas // Shelbee On the Edge Spread the Kindness // I Do deClaire // Elegantly Dressed and Stylish // Myriad Musings // Jenerally Informed Happy Now Blog Link // Style Splash linkup // Tuesday with a Twist @Stonecottage Adventures

Wednesday: What's Up Wednesday? (last wed. of month) // The Queen in Between Style Six // Straight A Style // Jersey Girl, Texan Heart // Fashion Frenzy at Seeking Sunshine and Rosy Outlook // Is This Mutton? Wow on Wednesday // Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday //  Welcome Wednesdays
Thursday: Fashion Files at Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom // Elegance and Mommyhood // High Latitude Style // A Labour of Life // Mummabstylish // Thirty Minus One // Mutton Style // Thursday Favorite Things //  Little Things Thursday