Let's Get Loud

I walked into my 50s with a mandate. I’m not here to blend in.

In this moment, I’m here to live boldly.  I’m determined to walk down the street like I own it.


This dress is a lot. It’s loud, playful, and a little wild. And I don’t care.  Being an adult is realizing that Mrs. Roper was an OG baddie who fully embraced her divine femininity and gave not a single damn what other people thought of her. She deserved better than Mr. Roper but that’s another conversation for another day.

Is there an age when I’ll start to tone it all down?
Neutrals. Classics. Something more… expected.
Maybe. But, that day isn’t today. Right now I’m not here to tone it down. I’m determined to turn it all the way up.

This dress, with its leopard print and blocks of vibrant pink and orange, doesn’t whisper. It roars.
And not in a way that demands attention.
It simply refuses to apologize for its presence.

Just like I’m learning to do.

This season isn’t about dimming your light; it’s about living and embracing joy. Being unapologetic in being who you are and redefining the expectations of what middleage is supposed to be. Because midlife isn’t about fading into the background.

🛍️ Style Breakdown:

  • Dress: Leopard + color-block maxi (Shein)

  • Shoes: Wedges (Amazon)

  • Accessories: Oversized sunnies, gold bangles

With Love and Whimsy,

Courtnee 🩷




Pause

Yellow is my favorite color. I used to think that nothing bad could happen in a yellow house. And while I’m no longer naïve enough to believe that one day I hope we’ll have a little yellow cottage on the lake to spend time with the kids and grandkids.

This yellow house seemed the perfect place to sit and savor a quiet moment in the sun.

This photo wasn’t staged. Not exactly. Did I get dressed up to go downtown and take pictures? Yes. But this stolen moment in my favorite new pink dress was pure serendipity.

August is a struggle for me. It’s my birthday month and I have complicated feelings about it. Every year I struggle with not being enough and the anxiety that I’m running out of time to figure it out.

Sometimes I’m so busy crossing things off my to-do list and worrying about the future that I hardly ever slow down, get out of my head, and appreciate the now.  

Here I am sitting. The stillness invited me to take a deep breath and remember that I’m allowed simply to be. I’m not aiming for perfection; I’m striving for wholeness.



🛍️ Outfit Notes:

  • Dress: Shein

  • Shoes: Banana Republic (thrifted)

  • Bag: Amazon




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.

Allow Me To (re)Introduce Myself



Remember that first sip of coffee when the world is still quiet and hopeful? That’s the feeling I want visitors to carry away from this space.

I launched my original blog, My Moments of Whimsy, in the early days of the blogging era. It was a way to reclaim my identity. Somewhere while marrying, divorcing, and trying my best to raise my kids, I lost myself. In the years since that very first post, this space has grown alongside me.

At 51, I’m evolving once again. Life is different. I only have one kiddo at home, I’m now a grandmother, and I’m attempting to establish a career as a creative. So this space is changing too.

My original blog was safe, simple, and serviceable. But after losing my mother (my ultimate style muse) in 2020, I keep hearing her voice in my head cheering me on, encouraging me to try new things, be bold, and take up space. She bloomed in her 50s, and I’m determined to do the same. Courting Whimsy honors her spirit with unapologetic color, curiosity, and courage.

I say all this to say, please excuse the proverbial dust as this space undergoes a little bit of a renovation.

Whether you’re a new subscriber or an OG follower, in the words of Hova….allow me to (re)introduce myself!

Hi, I’m Courtnee!

  • Proud GenX wife, mom of five, and grandma (aka Grae)

  • Romance author (pen name Courtnee Chase) writing spicy, heart-heavy love stories for readers 40+

  • Maximalist at heart: dedicated to florals, polka dots, and the mixing of aesthetics

  • Planner nerd, bourbon lover, recovering night owl, and believer that small joys save lives

What You’ll Find Here

Style Outfit formulas, thrift-haul remixes, confidence tips for dressing for yourself in midlife

Home & DIY Colorful and eclectic deco, flower arranging, “15-minute glow-ups” for real-life schedules

Life & Story Vlogs, planner deep-dives, candid life chats, and behind-the-scenes of indie-authorship

My goal is simple: living authentically—without waiting for permission, perfect timing, or the elusive “someday.” You’ll leave each post or video with one of three things: practical inspiration, permission to play, or a hug in digital form.

How to Join the Fun

  1. Subscribe on YouTube for weekly videos.

  2. Sign up for the Whimsy Report newsletter—think pep talks, favorites, and first-look content.

  3. Say hello on Instagram (@courtneerae_)

Let’s curate wardrobes, spaces, and stories that feel like a wink to our younger selves and a high-five to our future ones.

With joy and whimsy, xoxo—Courtnee


Core Values Statement: At courting Whimsy, we believe in science, no one is illegal on stolen land, LBGTQ+ people have a right to live, love, and exist, black history is American history, and women’s rights are human rights.


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

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The Joy Edit

Hey There, Ladybug!
It’s time for The Joy Edit—my monthly roundup of things I’ve loved, found fun, or just couldn’t stop smiling about. Think of it like a joy-filled highlight reel. Let’s dive in.

It’s a scientific fact that the perfect mug makes that first morning coffee more magical. And what makes the perfect mug? We’re a bit like Goldilocks in this house when it comes to finding it- it has to be just right. Heavy enough to feel substantial and tall enough to hold the perfect amount to wake you up plus room for cream and a nice foam to top it off. Bonus points for compliments like “Hello, Gorgeous”, words of encouragement like “World’s Okayest Mom”, or a call to action like, “It’s a good day to punch a Nazi”.

But sometimes you just want to live out your cottage witch fantasy before tackling your “to do” list.

Wearing bright colors, all the patterns, and generally dressing like your 10-year-old self has been rebranded as dopamine dressing and I couldn’t be happier…no pun intended. If we’re going to live under an oppressive regime, you might as well break all of those ridiculous fashion rules. Wear whatever tickles your fancy and sparks joy my friends!

My closet is colorful and chaotic. I’ve often described my personal style as 70s art teacher/librarian who got dressed in the dark but I’m happy to have an “official” name for it. This outfit, like one of Steffon’s nightclubs, has everything- colorful plaid, leopard print, and a graphic t-shirt (if you don’t know, now ya know…)

I spent a weekend binge watching With Love, Meghan

BTW, this is a Meghan stan account we ride for both The Duchess and The Stallion! Anyway, it reminded me of all the things that I love doing that I stopped doing somewhere along the way because, if I’m being honest, it sometimes felt a little too much. I didn’t want to be that friend, wife, mother. I also realized I don’t really care if people don’t like it. I like it and that should be enough of a reason.

We may be having takeout for dinner but that doesn’t mean we can’t eat it by candlelight at a nicly set table in the dining room. And after years of tucking them away, I decided to break out my apron collection because I like them!

So wear the red lipstick, use the real china, ink up your fountain pen!

I’m not sure who said it but my new motto is “If I’m too much, go find less”. Cheers to being in our Too Much Era, my friends!

I love this appearance by Dove Cameron on The Jennifer Hudson Show because she absolutely nails it! I’m so happy that women are embracing this message younger and younger.