graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Make a Statement in the New Year with Graphic Tees & Your Own Twist Link Up #28

January 21, 2021 / 28 Comments
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

I don’t rise and shine. I caffeinate and hope for the best.

graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

After my last post on Tuesday, I figured it’s a good time to keep things light and fun today. But before I get there, I do want to thank each and every person who took the time to read that post and share comments in the discussion. The polite, respectful, and intelligent discourse was the perfect fuel for my weary soul during these rather troublesome times. I am so very grateful for that and for all of you.

About Your Own Twist

Your Own Twist is a monthly link party hosted by Monica of Jersey Girl, Texan Heart and me on the third Thursday of every month with the goal of inspiring some of our friends to get creative with personal style.

The idea behind this collaboration is to take one common piece or theme and style it our own way with our own twist…Monica and I have both taken a lot of fashion inspiration from one another over the past few years even though we have totally different styles. It is always fun to see how we can interpret similar items in unique ways or what kind of twist we will each bring to the chosen theme.

We will let you know the themes well in advance in the event that you would like to use the theme for your own post and add it to the link party. However, any fashion posts are welcome regardless of whether you used the theme or not. Check out the graphic below which has some of our upcoming themes.

graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
oxfords, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

As the post title indicates, we have chosen graphic tees as our January theme to make a statement in the new year. If you have been visiting my blog for a while now, you know that I have amassed a huge collection of graphic tees over the years. It seems that I cannot resist a tee shirt that speaks to me. That would be rude anyway, wouldn’t it? To ignore the things that speak to us. No cute tee shirt deserves that kind of behavior!

My collection of graphic tees ranges from Wonder Woman to the Golden Girls, Willie Nelson to Fireside Collective, Grammar Queen to Cluelessness. And to all of them I relate in very special ways. And they each deserve a spot in my wardrobe as well as the opportunity to be featured on my blog. Considering the size of my graphic tee collection, it is doubtful that I have shared every one of them here. So when it came time to choose a tee to style, I wanted to pick one that would best represent Making a Statement in the New Year.

I had considered styling a tee that reflected my words of the year…Perspective and Gratitude. I have a small collection within my larger collection of tees that focus on positive messages like gratitude and I have shared many of them in past posts. They are my very favorite kind of messages to wear. But then I reconsidered and decided that while I am approaching the new year with perspective and gratitude, I also am approaching the new year and life in general with a sense of humor. That is nothing new for me. My sense of humor is my best defense and coping mechanism for all things in life.

graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

And so comes along my new graphic tee that my kids gave to me for Christmas. I am pretty certain they understand my sense of humor better than anyone. They also understand that there is no talking allowed in our house before mommy has consumed a pot of coffee. They found this cute graphic tee at Tractor Supply of all places. We love that store! They always have some really fun graphic tee shirts that are generally always priced at $9.99…perfect for kids to purchase for their parents!

We had gone in there shopping a few weeks before Christmas for some snow gear and Archie and I had wandered into the tee shirt section. I spotted a really adorable graphic tee that included the images of three super cute goats gazing at us from over a fence and the message said, “My kids are buttheads.” I held it up and told Archie that I wanted it for Christmas. He quickly denied me, letting me know that it was not funny. And then he found the “I don’t rise and shine. I caffeinate and hope for the best.” tee shirt. I have to say that I love it mostly because it was a gift from my kids. But also because it’s true!

graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

I have always been a very early riser in the mornings. Most days I am sipping coffee and making my blogging rounds by 5:00 a.m. and as much as I love and appreciate the early morning hours before the sun and the people all awaken, I am a wicked grumpy pants if you try to speak to me that early! I can formulate sentences and articulate ideas brilliantly in the wee early hours as long as it is in the form of the written word. Speech is an absolute no go for me until I am thoroughly caffeinated.

Of course living in the arctic north requires lots of layers in winter time. Finding creative ways to stay warm and still show off my graphic tee has become an art form for me. I layered a long sleeve tee shirt underneath my graphic tee then I added a light washed denim dress as a jacket. A blanket scarf, coat, and gloves (how cute are my fingerless owl gloves?) are absolute necessities as well. I recently found these engineer striped jeans on a thrifting adventure and really like the way the blues and grays all coordinated against the snowy background. I added some platform oxfords because they lifted my hem far enough out of the snow and the lug soles prevented me from eating the snow.

This outfit is so much more casual than what I usually share here, but it is probably the way I dress most frequently during the past year. I suppose it is time to share more of more realities! I often am the worst dressed fashion blogger on the planet…but I may never let y’all see that debacle!

graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
graphic tee, double denim, shades of blue, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

So I am forging ahead into 2021 with gratitude and perspective, a sense of humor, and a whole lot of caffeine! Because let me tell you (although I am sure you already know this), the struggle is freaking real.

What statement are you hoping to make in 2021?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Outfit Details: Coat and Pants-Thrifted / Tee Shirt-Tractor Supply / Denim Shirtdress-Shelbee’s Shop / Scarf-Charlotte Russe / Gloves-c/o Rosegal / Shoes-Just Fab / Belt-Bed Stu / Earrings and Necklace-Old

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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28 Comments

  • Ellibelle

    January 21, 2021 at 3:07 pm Reply

    This is such a fun tee with words so many of us can relate to! Love how you styled it for winter!
    How awesome that you can get up so early!! I keep wanting to but then I never do. Having the kids do school from home doesn’t help, in fact just makes it worse as I’m rarely up before 7:30 these days! But I’ll keep trying because I’d love the solitude and quietness of early mornings with just the birds chirping – (and probably my cats asking for food sooner!!)
    Ellibelle’s Corner

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 21, 2021 at 4:17 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Ellie! I think my early morning habits stem from all the years I was competitive swimmer and had to be in the pool by 5:00 am. It sort of sticks with you after you do it for so many years. And I really do love my morning quiet time. Especially since I cannot outlast anyone in my house at night. I am always the first one in bed! If I sleep until 6:00, I tend to get really anxious that I lost my most productive hours! This morning I was awake and drinking coffee by 4:45 and when I heard my husband come creeping down the steps at 5:15, I got really annoyed! LOL Oh, and my cats start screeching at me for food usually around 5:00 am. And they are so loud I am afraid they will wake everyone else.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Di

    January 21, 2021 at 3:29 pm Reply

    Love this casual outfit of muted blues and grays, Shelbee. All the textures and layers look great together, and that the graphic tee was a gift from your boys is so sweet! I am not a morning person either, and it takes me an hour or so to gear up in the a.m. Unfortunately, caffeine is a no-no for me (migraine trigger) so it’s only monosyllabic conversation until both eyes are open!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 21, 2021 at 4:14 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Di! It’s funny that it takes me so long to get rolling in the morning because I am very much a morning person. Night time I don’t do well and usually crawl into bed before 8:00! I don’t know what I would do if I had to cut caffeine. And I feel for you as a migraine sufferer myself. Caffeine withdrawal will trigger migraines for me!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Sheila (of Ephemera)

    January 21, 2021 at 4:35 pm Reply

    This is such a cute outfit, Shelbee, and yup, it’s very much like what I wear around the house. I actually sleep in my graphic tees and my band tour shirts, just so that I wear them. I went through a graphic tee phase in my early blog years (2008-2010ish), and loved layering long-sleeved tees under them. I also have a Wonder Woman tee! I will link up my one and only outfit with it (worn in the fall of this year, so sorry, it’s an older post).

    I love these theme ideas – they are such a springboard for creativity. I can do a romantic outfit for February! I’ll be doing a red and pink one too.

    I am the same about coffee. My husband says I need one mug (about 500ml) to be nice to him, and another to be nice to other people. He also calls me “my little dragon” as I have been known to roar if I haven’t had my caffeine. I’m a night person – cannot do mornings, although of course, I’ve adapted to getting up at the ungawdly hour of 6:30am. I’d rather stay up till about 2am and get up at 10.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 21, 2021 at 6:48 pm Reply

      Sheila, thanks so much! I can’t wait to check out your Wonder Woman outfit! I think I have 4 or 5 different Wonder Woman tees! I might be a little obsessed! Speaking of theme ideas for style, have you checked out the Style Imitating Art prompts at all? I am having such a great time creating outfits inspired by the chosen artwork. I just styled an outfit today for this week’s prompt and I love the way it turned out! It will be posted next week!

      I really love your husband’s nickname for you! Little dragon is so endearing! I laughed at your descriptor of 6:30 am being ungawdly because if I sleep that late I am in a downright panic that I lost all of my best productive hours! But my brain stops functioning sometime around 4:20 pm. Hahahaha. I need my coffee to get alert, but I do wake up naturally right around 5:00 am. I honestly couldn’t even tell you the last time I had to rely on an alarm clock. It has probably been 20 years since I have set one to wake up to! I am usually in bed by 8:00 pm though. I am not much fun for evening events!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Maureen

    January 22, 2021 at 2:20 am Reply

    This is such a cute outfit Shelbee! I love the message and the sense of humor. And I am a fan of the casualness of this look. As you know, it’s my favorite way to dress! I know why even call myself a style blogger. Who knows? And isn’t it amazing to have so much silence and peace in the morning? I wake up early too. There’s something to be said about enjoying coffee before anyone else is awake. Cheers to peace, quiet and a pot of coffee!

    Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 22, 2021 at 9:55 am Reply

      Maureen, thanks so much! I wasn’t totally loving this outfit and I threw it together in a hurry, but once I photographed it, I really liked it. And if you are sharing your personal style then you are a fashion blogger, my friend! One who is real and authentic! Don’t ever doubt that about yourself.

      I am enjoying my pot of coffee right now before 5:00 am!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 22, 2021 at 9:52 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Rena! I agree with you about a graphic tee making your smile! It also has to be relevant to me. I saw a really cute tie dye sweatshirt in Torrid recently and it had the AC/DC logo. I loved the sweatshirt and I don’t dislike AC/DC but they are not a band I really listen to so I am not going to wear a sweatshirt with their band logo. I feel like a liar if I do! Haha. But yes, if it makes you smile, it is worth wearing!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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Shelbee on the Edge