Same look. Different Font. || Style Remix

You know what they say — leopard is a neutral. And like any good neutral, it can take on a whole new personality depending on how you style it.

Now if we consider outfits like fonts, you might be saying the same thing but the way you say it- bold or classic, playful or polished- totally changes the vibe. These are two of my favorite looks.

As I did my laundry one day and put away each piece, I realized they were essentially the same outfits built around leopard print bottoms. Same base, different energy.

Look 1: Classic with a Sporty Edge

If I had to give this look a font, it’d be something bold but easygoing — maybe Futura Bold.

• Leopard print wide-leg pants with side stripes = casual cool.

• A crisp white tank keeps it classic but relaxed.

• Flats with some sparkle give it an unexpected classic “ladies who lunch” touch.

• A lightweight (for those downright Arctic summer air-conditioned spaces) jacket looks sporty, but the ruffles at the zipper give it a whimsical detail.

  The vibe: effortless, city chic — the kind of outfit that says "I woke up like this" but still makes people do a double take.

Look 2: Playful + Feminine with a Retro Twist

If this outfit were a font, I’d call it Cooper Black — playful, vintage-inspired, and full of personality.

• A leopard midi skirt sets the stage, but the red graphic tee takes it somewhere fun and unexpected.

• The platform twist on the classic high-top Chucks keeps it comfortable and cute.

• A black bag and oversized sunglasses finish the look with a nod to old-school glam.

The vibe: playful, confident, and a little retro

Same Base, New Energy

This is the magic of style: the same leopard print can channel sporty glam or playful everyday casual depending on what you pair with it.

✨ White tank vs. red graphic tee
✨ Sophisticated flats vs. sneakers with a retro vibe
✨ Layered pearls vs. chunky gold jewelry

Your clothes are just the canvas — your personal style is the font you use to tell your story.

Style It Your Way:

Want to try this yourself? Start with:
✔️ A leopard print pant or skirt
✔️ One pop of color (red, pink, cobalt blue — whatever feels like you)
✔️ Your favorite “font”: classic pieces (button-down, gold hoops) or playful extras (graphic tee, sneakers, pearls)

💬 What’s Your Font?

Are you more Futura Bold or Cooper Black? Sportyglam or playful casual?
Tag me on Instagram @courtneerae_ and show me how you style your leopard print!

With joy and whimsy—xoxo, Courtnee.

Very Demure, Very Mindful, Very Main Character

There’s something great about growing old and becoming a new version of yourself. You realize what matters and learn to release what doesn’t. Feeling good about who I am as a woman, a wife, a mom…important. The opinions people may have about what I’m doing or how I’m dressing…not important.

And there’s something undeniably powerful about a woman who knows her style, especially when she steps out in denim shorts and lace like she owns the world.

This look is one of my favorites‌: flirty yet polished, casual with a kick. I paired distressed denim shorts with a romantic lace blouse and finished it off with my favorite cream knee-high boots. The result? A modern boho-meets-bombshell vibe that feels like summer and grown ass woman confidence rolled into one.

What I love most about this outfit isn’t just how good it looks (though hello, yes), it’s how it makes me feel. Feminine. Bold. Effortlessly cool.

As women in midlife, we often hear about what we "shouldn’t" wear anymore. But I’m here to say: wear what makes you feel radiant. Whether it’s lace and leather, florals and sneakers, or sequins with sweatpants, your style should reflect you. Don’t be afraid to show up as the main character in your own story! 

Let this be your reminder: you don’t have to shrink to fit into someone else’s age-appropriate version. You’re allowed to be seen, to be stylish, to be a little extra, and love every second.

Style Breakdown:

• Top: Cream lace with ruffle detail — the perfect balance of soft and structured.

• Shorts: Mid-rise distressed denim that’s both casual and flattering.

• Boots: Cream suede knee-highs because who says boots are just for fall?

• Confidence: 100% non-negotiable.

What’s one outfit that makes you feel unstoppable?

Work of Art

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Art In Bloom After Dark, a stunning event where art and florals make magic. Art In Bloom at The Cincinnati Art Museum allows the city to experience artwork in a fresh, vibrant way.

The concept was as lovely as it was creative, local florists selected pieces of art as their inspiration and then crafted floral arrangements to reflect their chosen works. Walking through the gallery, you could feel the dialogue between the paintings and their artists and the blooms and their artists.

One of my favorite moments was standing in front of Two Sisters, a painting by Kehinde Wiley, also known for her amazing portrait of President Barak Obama. The riot of color and textures of the tulips, snapdragons, and proteas bring the drama of the piece to life.

I couldn’t resist dressing up for the occasion. This skirt is one of the things I chose from my mom’s closet to remember her after her death in January 2020. I couldn’t think of a more perfect occasion to wear it. My love of flowers, fashion, and big, bold prints were inherited from her. I paired it with bright fuchsia heels that I know she would have loved!

Art In Bloom reminded me how powerfully art in all its forms — painting, sculpture, floristry, fashion — wakes you up and feeds your soul. It is one of my favorite spring events in the city. I’m already looking forward to it next year!

With Joy and Whimsy-

xo

Courtnee

Revelation and Revolution

I’m writing this on a gray and rainy day. It's safe to say that fall is here. I was ready for cool, rainy days where I could make tea and settle in with a good book, but now that they’re here, I’m having second thoughts.

These days I’m seeking joy in the little things- favorite places in the city, listening to Purple Rain on vinyl, and fancy shoes on a weekday just because. With the shift from fall to winter and the familiar replaced by uncertainty, I think it's important for everyone to find little joys and bright spots.  

I’m not suggesting we ignore everything happening around us or walk around in a “good vibes only” state of toxic positivity. I’m suggesting that finding joy and celebrating little things is keeping some of your power when many of us feel helpless—a revolution of one to disrupt the status quo.

Vive la révolution

Worn|| She's Overboard and Self-Assured

Confession time.

I was never the grungy, edgy teen with heavy eyeliner and a fuck the establishment attitude. I was much more United Colors of Benetton, Polo popped collar kind of girl who attempted to charm authority. 

Now that I’ve hit 50, aka the land my ‘give a fucks’ went to die, the brooding, angsty in me has been dying to express herself.

That’s the beauty of middle age…the power to reinvent yourself and not a single worry given to what anyone has to say about it. Quoting the wise Sheree Whitfield, "Who gon' check me, boo?"

Because I never had a pair of Doc Martins as a teen, I decided I needed a pair or something similar. I stumbled on this pair in near-perfect condition and in my size for $10 during a recent trip to the thrift store. The rest of the outfit seemed obvious. Nothing says “smells like teen spirit” like fishnets and combat boots.  

boots: similar shorts: similar shirt: similar tights: here

Chapter 51...

Half a century plus 1. I’m not sure I like how it sounds when written out that way. Last year was a milestone birthday. I had a party. I got to celebrate with the people I adore most in this world. The dress I wore was amazing, it made me feel like a cupcake and look like a million bucks.

I set the bar pretty high for this year’s birthday and if I’m being honest, it’s just not hittin the same way. But it’s nothing a dress, a pair of heels, and a slice of birthday cake can’t fix.

Here’s to another rotation around the sun, to embracing the person you’ve worked so hard to be, to loving yourself as much as you love everyone else in your life, to growing old with the person who gets you, to impractical shoes, cupcake dresses, funfetti birthday cake, and prosecco!

Cheers!

Worn|| This Ain't Texas

Imagine being gifted a musical tour de force like Cowboy Carter and being so caught up in your expectations of who and what country music is supposed to be that you deny yourself a sublime listening experience. Couldn’t be me …

I’m not saying that Cowboy Carter has become my entire personality but when you see me out in cutoffs and cowboy boots don’t say I didn’t warn you!

And, We're Back...

Oh, hey! Long time no blog. I wondered if I'd ever fire this thing up again and despite the push towards short-form video content nothing grabs me like words on a page (or screen) and photos. I'm old-fashioned that way. 

Not much has changed in my life since my last post. I haven't been busy. Life isn't too challenging right now. There haven't been any unexpected plot twists. I've just been trying to stay present. Enjoying the moments as they happen. That small shift has been great for my mental health.

Anyway, here I am. A girl. Standing in front of a brick wall. Asking you to read this blog post and follow along as I attempt to navigate this new season of life.