I'm (heart)in' tartan

Did you know that April 8th 2017 is officially 

National Tartan Day?

It's no secret here...

 I'm mad about plaid

every day & e v e r y way!!! 

 I mostly show it off in my stable ~

all my horses all wear it!

even my website...

But I don't have a horsey hood like this. Yet ...  ;-P

However I do actually own an obnoxious tartan lap robe for carriage driving

(tablecloth)

(or it might actually be a 70's era Brady Bunch wrap skirt like this!);-)

I carry my riding helmet n gloves in this perfect bag I found at Target.

And within is my vintage wool change purse for mad money.

I pack our picnics using my collections too.

I use another tartan horse sheet as a tablecloth for tailgate parties at shows.

of course these would be fun on a picnic (from Ralph Lauren)

If it's a casual outing we use these saddle pads.

I'm always ready for rain with wax coat, hat n brellie by the door

Of course Christmas calls for LOTS of tartan!

Oh how I'd love coming down to find these under my tree!

Years ago (see young Nick) this was our cottage porch at Christmas.

I used flannel sheets n pillowcases outside.

My father was British, I enjoyed Scotland as a youth and grew up sporting kilts 

so you've prolly noticed that

I'm always trying to dress my family in tartans whenever they allow...

Guess who's next?! 

Ooh swoon, maybe The Farmer might wear this amazing ticking n tartan combo?!

He wishes I could carry off this combo!!!

Leopard coat with tartan leggings!

or maybe these would fit in to my lifestyle better? 

love. part tartan. part gingham

Drooling now...

Now this has promise!

via

I really am thinking about these since I've finally had to break down n wear glasses.

And this case would be perfect!

How fun would it be to tour the town in this?

In decor;  I adore...

The Polo House and Taratn Terrace.com are great sites!

I plan on recreating above n below images!

But I don't think tartan has to be  just for Christmas... do you???

I think it's awesome in the tackroom year 'round!
That's actually why I started this search...
I'm wanting to do a "feature wall in my clients tackroom.

But tartans also come in a rainbow of colors,

including brights n pastels that suit spring...! 

Maybe an Easter frock?  lol 

How about you?!?
You can see if your family has a tartan?
click this great site!

Q.  Can I wear tartan if I cannot find my name associated with any of those on the recognised list?
A.   Yes. Tartan is a gift that we have given to the world. The idea that a man can only wear a kilt in his own family tartan or one associated with it has given way to a more broad minded approach and most ladies are quite happy to choose tartan with the colours they like best.

(psst Etsy has TONS)

Happy National Tartan Day!

What I wore Wednesday~ farmgirl addition!

Soooo, I'm a huge fan of Lyndsey at The Pleated Poppy

She keeps it real, is beautiful, creative, funny and 

makes the prettiest things out of colorful fabric.

She also hosts the CrAzY popular blog party

"What I wore Wednesday"

It flat out cracks me up every time I think of it. 

(the ladies look lovely tho, I'm not busting on them)

"in order to inspire one another to put a little more time into ourselves.  as a stay-at-home mom, it is so easy to stay in pj’s or yoga pants all day, but i want to do more!  i want to feel good about how i look..."

 My outfits are prolly not what she had in mind...

Yoga pants would be dressing UP!

Most of the time my Wednesday is about the same as my Tuesday!

I'm sure you've admired my farmgirl attire in previous posts;

no, not pink Carhartts. yet.

My uniform is:

Down coat, ear band, scarf or fleece jacket 

 either layered over a polo shirt or turtleneck depending on the season.

but no matter what;

bootcut jeans n Ariat paddock boots

most.every.day.

This pic could have been taken almost any day last year with my black down coat.

Yes. I do get a new down coat every year. Your point?

So far; red, blue, black and this year's PINK

(Last years blue is now melted along cuffs from brushing against hot woodstove as I load more wood!)

Hey, I am a farmgirl, horse trainer and mommy. 

I'm not the kind to wear riding breeches everywhere so this is my compromise.

I do not own anything that hasn't walked through the barn at least once to throw hay at last check...

Even my ballgowns after a fancy hunt ball.

And then there was the time we drove in to find ponies in the alfalfa field.

(Could make them seriously sick so freak out n panic is appropriate)

I remember trying to run as my high heels sank down in the dirt.

Bad words said, shoes cast off.

If I could wear paddock boots everywhere I would.

Wait a minute. I do.

I must add here that if I do go shopping for myself I often think of another fave blogger Meg who once showed off a cute outfit that she said came from Dress Barn. 

She pointed out how that's not the best name for a fashion store and said she always thinks "moooo" when she sees it. 

Perfect. Now it's in my head that I should prolly shop there!

But ...

I've ordered several flower pins from Lyndsey and today am lusting after some of her newest creations. 

Tell me that these don't look like they were made for me?

Accessories to make me feel pretty while sporting my farmgirl attire!

LOVE this sunglasses (shhh- readers?!) case in rainbow-stripes

this ruffled scarf is gorgeous and fun!

These bitty button gingham earrings are perfect for a farmgirl!

 Can you (kinda?) see why now...

In honor of The Polar Vortex; 
my 
"What I wore Wednesday"

I thought I'd share so that more of you could join my Michigan bff who teased me and said I must look like a sumo wrestler when I described the SEVEN layers I was wearing.

starting w/innermost layer

thermal tee, turtleneck, fleece, irish fisherman sweater, pink down coat, formerly known as blue down coat, scarf 

and below~

fleece pj bottoms under jeans.

cotton socks, then the bestest fleece socks under winter Ariat boots

Hey, I was able to stay outside for hours layering blankets and making hot feeds for ALL the outdoor farm critters (Henny Penny was almost brought inside).

Then I came in mellow n happy and layered quilts on beds and made chili.

I'm sure hubby might wish I'd wear yoga pants but...

Happy wife. Happy life.

Now go see how hip city mommas dress for their date nights!

I'm inspired (and envious) and will definitely steal a few ideas!

Hey, maybe someone else out there would like to buy my new equestrian style boots?

For reals. Size 6 1/2  Steve Maddens for $40 + shipping
(they are a richer/darker brown than this poor pic shows)
Comment or email for better pics if you're interested.