Heading Toward the Holidays - Graphics and Flannels

Once again, I apologize for my inconsistency in getting things posted on the blog. Life has been busy and often overwhelming with various difficulties, but I will keep trying to show up. I decided to forego my Pantone color series. Just like in life, we often have to review and measure what is important and meaningful in our lives. The things that don’t give us the spark they once did might better be set aside for a time, and maybe even left forever.

The whole Pantone entity has become much less user friendly. The graphics are no longer available to use without paying for them, and even their website seems less geared toward the fashion industry and more towards color as it is used in building and designing interior spaces. That is fine, but I am a bit underwhelmed by it all, so for now, I am setting that part of my color interest aside.

For this month, December, I want to focus on building outfits for the holidays from our closets. Winter colors, textures and pieces can be so much fun to play with and even more fun to think about putting together as we deck the halls, make the cookies, shop, wrap presents, and gather together with friends coworkers and family.

Today’s simple, casual look revolves around a Christmas themed long sleeve tee and a plaid, flannel shirt.

Style Tip: When dressing for the cold weather holidays think textures and layers. Chunky beads, or scarves, fabrics like flannel or fleece, and faux suede boots with a bit of slouch make for interesting outfits whether dressing in jeans, skirts or even dresses.

This outfit is a mix of new and old. Let’s start at the top. This men’s flannel shirt was purchased last year on line from Kohl’s when they had a good sale. You know my love for flannel and I didn’t have anything with this combination of tan and dark green. The Christmas Tree Farm tee was also a Kohl’s purchase last year. Both of these pieces are Sonoma brand.

My string of beads are a thrift find. Don’t they match perfectly with the tee?

My jeans I’ve had for a few years. They were also a Kohl’s purchase and are a brand called Angels. Kohl’s only seemed to carry them for a short time, as the brand is no longer available. I really like them and was sad when the brand disappeared. These are a skinny leg, which are still my faves for sliding into boots.

As I mentioned earlier faux suede or real suede is a great textural element to add to your winter outfits. My boots, which are also a Sonoma purchase from Kohl’s clearance a few years ago, are one of my favorite pairs and they went so well with this casual outfit. I took a few close up pics of the boots, but for some weird reason they would not download like the other ones did. Go figure. It honestly is ALWAYS something! Ha, ha.

My fun, velvet bag comes out every year in the colder weather. It’s a different green, but I think it works because it is just different enough it stands out on its own, but the blue flowers complement the blue jeans and pull the outfit together.

Style Tip: Pick accessories, especially bags and boots that you know you will reach for again and again. These are the easiest to use with multiple different outfits and if you love them you’ll want to show them off.

At the last minute I decided to add one other piece to this outfit to make it perfect for a run to the store for those last minute stocking stuffers. I found this beautiful reversible jacket on one of my last thrift runs with my girlfriend when I was back to see my mom. It’s a brand called Jenny Buchanan, but seems to be only available now on second hand websites like Poshmark and Thread Up. I love the detailed quilting on this piece. It isn’t lined, so definitely won't work for a really cold day, but this will be great three season piece. I probably will use it more like a blazer in the winter.

Do you like to wear casual outfits like this? What would you do differently? What is one of your favorite casual brand names for winter clothes? I love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look through. I provide these as a service to you, to give you ideas or places to look for similar pieces. These are affiliate links. all opinions are my own.

Have a great week everyone!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette: Rose Violet, High Visibility, and Doe

Today I am bringing you another outfit in my Pantone Autumn/Winter color series. I find these colors on the Pantone website. My renditions of their color palette may not always be an exact match, but I shop my closet and try to find the pieces that come as close as possible to their color choices. I want you to be able to shop your wardrobe as well. You may not have all of these colors in your closet like I do, but you will certainly have two or three. The idea is to take those colors and use them in new ways to make outfits you never thought of before.

I love the boho vibe of this outfit. The bright colors, tiered skirt and fringe bag are all indicative of many Bohemian outfits.

I was having a hard time decided which piece to use for the Rose Violet color. It is a bright, fuchsia pink and though I had my Button Front Maxi Dress from Closet52 (no longer in business), it was too overwhelming. I felt the bright pink and the bright yellow were needed in small doses, thus this fun, thrifted, tiered maxi skirt.

I added the old Christopher and Banks cat eye necklace to pull the Rose Violet color upwards, and I also wore make up allowing for a softer version of the bright pink on my face.

My Doe colored sweater was a fabulous thrift find. I thought the neutral color with the glistening, metallic dots would be great for the up coming holidays with a versatility that allows for dressing up or down.

High Visibility is certainly so. This bright yellow is so cheerful and definitely a pick-me-up on a cloudy, rainy day. Again, the skirt uses a paler version of the yellow to keep the outfit completely compatible through out.

Here is another way to wear the pashmina.

My accessories remained in the neutral shade to allow the bright pink and yellow to be the focal points for the outfit. The sweater is quite long, hanging below my bottom so I tucked it in and added the belt. It brings additional interest, texture and gives me a more refined hour glass silhouette.

I added the thrifted fringe bag, and my older suede ankle boots which have a low heel helping to keep the skirt off the floor.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like the combination of bright colors with more neutral colors? What would you do differently? I love to hear your ideas and thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit featuring the Pantone New York Palette colors: Rose Violet, High Visibility, and Doe.

No shopping links this week, but I hope you are having a great day and a good week. Check back next Tuesday for another outfit post.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - NY Palette: Tender Peach, Red Dahlia, and Silver Birch

It was fun last week to hear your thoughts on how to combine these Pantone colors. I had my outfits already picked out, otherwise I might have tried some of your suggestions. Today’s outfit takes two of the more subdued colors and pairs them with a darker hue for an outfit that’s perfect for work, a child’s school event or even a casual date night with your significant other.

It is always fun shopping my closet for these colors. Everything in today’s outfit is thrifted except the boots and the bag. Let ‘s look at each piece in color order.

Tender Peach

I found this top last spring thrifting. I fell in love with the eyelet across the top around the neckline. It is a cotton fabric and fully lined making an under layer unnecessary. The bell sleeves make it a great summer piece, but obviously it works well for spring and summer as well.

Style Tip:

If you struggle with wearing solid colors choose pieces that have texture to create interest and draw the eye away from areas that might make you more self conscious.

Red Dahlia

This color is a staple in my fall and winter wardrobe. No matter what you call it: maroon, berry, Red Dahlia…it is a color that adds depth and classiness to any outfit. This cardigan with its black houndstooth pattern and gold toned buttons was a great addition to my closet and since pulling it out for this series, I’ve decided it really needs more time out it public.

Style Tip:

Adding a few patterns like houndstooth, herringbone, or chevron to your closet can boost your closet’s outfit potential. Try finding pieces in the forms of jackets, vests, cardigans or skirts that can quickly put together with other pieces to make simple looks that exude classic style.

Silver Birch

These cargo pants are actually a tad light for the Pantone Silver Birch color, but you get the idea. Silver Birch is a light gray, like oxford, but even lighter with a different hue. The cargo pants keep the outfit looking casual, but not as casual as my distressed jeans.

Style Tip:

Never say never when it comes to color. I have heard many older women say, “I can’t wear gray.” Gray is a great neutral and you most certainly can wear it on your bottom. In addition, try out various shades and hues of gray and you will realize not all colors are created equal. Oxford, cobalt, charcoal, steel, silver are all shades of gray, but each one has it’s own tones and hues. Find the one that works for you. If that doesn’t work, remember you CAN wear the gray, just add a scarf near your face that compliments your coloration.

The rest of my outfit came together with my accessories. The necklace was actually given to me by my spouse who found it at a garage sale. He knows I love costume jewelry, so every once in a while he will surprise me with a special piece he found.

I bought my Sonoma bag a few years ago on Clearance from Kohl’s. It’s just a roomy tote bag, but I thought the peachy, orange pattern went well with the Tender Peach color of the top.

I am always excited to be able get out my ankle boots in the fall. These ESpirit burgundy boots are regularly worn all through the fall and winter.

So what did you think of this color combination? What Pantone colors would you have combined with either Tender Peach or Red Dahlia? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette

The following are my renderings of the Pantone Color Institute’s Fall 2023 New York Palette. These are not going to be exact representations, but close to what the palette consists of. For actual color comparisons go to Pantone.

Happy fall everyone! The season is official and the leaves are beginning their seasonal change here in the midwest. My husband and I got out for a hike on Sunday afternoon and it was beautiful. It was actually a little warm for my preferences, but a lovely day to take a walk. The leaves around here are just showing touches, but many of those swatches are vibrant. I’m sorry Pantone, but no one creates a color palette like the God of Creation! These are few shots I took with my phone.

I am going to introduce the New York fall palette to you today. I decided to take pictures of the corresponding color pieces from my wardrobe to give you an idea of what the colors look like. Next week I will actually start showing you the outfits. In the mean time you can try to guess how I might put these pieces together, or you can come up with your own combinations, just for fun. Let me know in the comments which colors you would put together.

Tender Peach

As Pantone often does they include a few pastels. I am not as much a pastel girl, but I know many of you are, so it is fun to think about how I would include a pastel in a fall outfit.

Rose Violet

This hot pink fuchsia color is bright and sassy. Originally, I was going to use my fuchsia dress from Closet52, but it just wasn’t coming together, so I opted for this thrifted skirt with the Rose Violet flowers. I am not even sure what happened to Closet52. I can no longer find their website. So crazy, the way things come and go so fast.

Viva Magenta

This is the Pantone Color of the Year. You can see the post I did on that earlier this year. This is a lovely, bright color that really works in all seasons, and just about everyone can wear it, but it is hard to find.

Red Orange

This is a color we often equate with fall, especially when we think of changing leaves. The red orange can be easier to wear for some than a true orange. Either way it is a great fall color.

Red Dahlia

Fall wouldn’t be complete without some sort of maroon, burgundy or berry color. Red Dahlia is more towards the maroon side. This picture doesn’t really do it justice. The sweater is a dark maroon, but for some reason it kept looking lighter and more red. Silly phone photos!

High Visibility

Pantone almost always has some sort of bright yellow on its fall palettes. This is another color reminiscent of the changing leaves and sunflowers that are in full bloom at the end of summer.

Persian Jewel and Carnival Glass

These two colors you know will go together for my future outfits. They both were hard colors to find in my closet. I actually had a few pieces that met the Carnival Glass qualifications, but the Persian Jewel is a particular blue akin to Periwinkle, which is a purply blue. I do not have much of that particular blue in my wardrobe.

Burnt Sienna

This earthy orange is another fall staple in my opinion. It goes so well with many other colors and exudes that autumn feel.

Kohlrabi

This bright green works well with the fall palette, once again mimicking the changing tones of the leaves as they grown pale in comparison to their spring attire.

Classic Colors

As always the Pantone color palettes include a few classic colors that work well as foundational or accessory colors.

Coconut Milk

Not a pure, snow white, but not a true cream or ivory, this white does well for casual pieces like this jacket.

Eclipse

This dark, midnight blue is reminiscent of a fall, night sky as after the sun has completely set. A close cousin to navy, this blue is versatile enough to wear with any color.

Doe

This soft, light brown exudes warmth and can replace other common neutral colors like beige, tan, or camel.

Hot Fudge

A dark brown that can be the perfect color to ground an outfit, weather as a skirt or pair of pants or as a pair of boots or leather bag.

Silver Birch

This light gray is the perfect transition color for fall, when you are not ready for the dark grays like oxford or charcoal. This is another color that will combine with just about anything.

So there you have all the fall colors. The next few weeks I will show you which colors I combined to make five fall worthy looks.

What are your favorite colors? Which colors would you combine to make an outfit? Which of these colors do you have in your closet. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Have a great Tuesday!

Color Play - 2 - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY Palette: Tangelo, Peach Pink, Machiatto

These are the final three colors from the Pantone Spring 2023 NY Palette and I wanted to let you see them. This is also going to be a color block outfit, though not as distinct as the previous one with the more primary colors. These colors are softer and make me think more of light spring showers and Easter flowers. This outfit has almost a monochromatic feel as the colors are similar in their hues.

With Easter only a week away, I thought it might be nice to focus on an outfit that would work for a casual Easter get together. It used to be we dressed up for this holiday, and I think many people still do, but while many are still donning their white shoes and pretty spring dresses, there are others who will reach for a more casual, practical outfit for a day of cooking and preparing treats for the grandkids’ Easter hunts.

This outfit is made up of three main components: bottom, top and accessories. I am including the vest in with the accessories because it is not essential to the outfit. You could easily wear a top and bottom without a topper like a vest or blazer. For this outfit, the vest was representing another of the Pantone colors and not only does it add an element of warmth, but an element of texture and interest.

My Peach Pink pants are W62 brand and I believe were from Dress Barn. I have styled these on the blog before. You can see them styled here in a monochrome look, with a red moto jacket, with a pastel pink cardigan, with a LuLaRoe tee, with a cropped blazer, and with a different set of Pantone colors,

Sorry for the poor picture quality. Phone pictures are great, but not so much when it comes to editing.

My Tangelo vest was a Christopher and Banks purchase a few years ago. I love the deep orange color and it serves well for both spring and fall.

You can also see in the above picture my thrifted Old Navy sweater top. I had a Machiotto colored jean jacket picked out, but I didn’t have any other orange that worked as well as my vest. Even though there is a distinct marled print you can see the brown color throughout.

I added the scarf as a way to pull the entire look together.

My daughter was getting rid of this pretty, statement necklace, so I snatched it up. I thought it went great with this outfit.

My sneakers are Mossimo and were thrift find. They also mimic the Machiotto color almost perfectly and add another bit of shine to the look.

My bag was a gift from my daughter. Both my girls know I love purses, so I am always excited when I get a new one as a gift. I love the embellished detail on this piece.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear these together? What are you going to wear for your Easter Day celebration?

I’m not sharing any shopping links to day, but hope you have a marvelous weekend.

Buy Me A Coffee.

Color Play - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY Palette: Fiery Red, Empire Yellow, Blue Perennial, Light Aqua

Today I am looking at a color combining technique that is known as color blocking. Color blocking is the combination of solid colors creating distinct blocks of color. I don’t use the color block technique very often because I love prints. Many times I will combine something like a pair of jeans with a vest or sweater in a solid color, combined with a print top. I guess in that case I am almost always doing a type of color blocking. However, jeans are a type of material that don't typically look solid. Does that make sense to anyone else out there besides myself? Ha, ha.

This outfit is bright and colorful and a great ensemble for the crazy fluctuating temperatures of spring.

The color block technique is a great way to combine one color with another without worrying if they match. The whole point is to combine different colors to create a fun, statement worthy outfit. All of these pieces have been in my closet for a while. I have worn each of them separately, and I have worn the vest and pants together before, but not this combination.

My Light Aqua top is Massini brand and was a clearance find from Kohl’s a few years ago. It is a medium weight knit with a cozy feel.

My secondhand pants have made numerous appearances on the blog and are Ruby Rd. brand. You can see a number of my posts in this one post, Why You Should Have a Pair of Colored Pants - Bright Blue. While I don’t pull these out real frequently for my day to day outfits. I have used them over and over for a special occasion or for the blog.

This yellow vest is a brand called Love Tree. I really like this piece. It came with a detachable hood, and the inside of the vest has a fuzzy, warm sherpa lining. I think I got this at a local boutique, but I actually cannot remember. I know, I know! Too many clothes. I’ll save my clothing muses for another day.

I decided to focus on Fiery Red as an accent color, so my bag, and my pendant charm necklace do the trick. Isn’t it cool, how the red pops against this already colorful outfit? I have this crossbody bag in a similar style, but different brand (both from Amazon), in black. They are great bags with three separate compartments to keep all your things organized. They are not huge, but big enough for the essentials. I’ll give a few shopping links below. A crossbody bag has become my regular go to, because I like the hands free approach. This is especially helpful when you are chasing grandkids, or shopping.

I really wasn’t sure which shoes to wear, and the only reason I ended up with my high top mesh Converse was due to the red stripe around the sole. Ha, ha. Really, my thought process for putting an outfit together is not all that complex. I tried the outfit with a pair of white sneakers first, but it just didn’t look right. I think the heaviness of the fabrics and the vest needed something a little less springy, but I also didn’t want to use knee high boots as those seemed too wintery…thus the Converse.

So what do you think of this outfit? Do you like the color blocking technique? Tell me about an outfit where you have used it. Your comments mean so much to me. You are the reason I keep this blog going, so it is wonderful to hear from you.

Please feel free to show your support for me and the blog by using my Buy Me a Coffee link. When you contribute to my page I can use that money to buy a treat when I am working on the blog at a coffee shop. I appreciate all your support.

I’m including a few shopping links. I only make money off of these links if you purchase something through a link, however, I bring these to you to give you ideas. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

My Style - Pantone Spring 2023 - NY: Classic Green, Love Bird, Leek Green

For today’s look, I decided to combine the three greens on the New York Palette into one outfit. These greens are all different, but go together making a fun, bright, spring outfit perfect for any casual occasion.

You know my go to is always casual and comfortable, but aIso like my outfits to look put together, so it at least appears that I gave a little thought to what I am wearing. I always try to plan my outfits out the night before, so that I don’t have to take the time in the morning to make those decisions. Do you pick out your outfits the night before, or do you just throw things on at the last minute?

This outfit is my style: casual, cute and comfortable. It is the type of outfit in which I feel most confident and most like myself. I love wearing button downs as a topper over a graphic tee or light weight long sleeve tee. Skinnies are always going to be part of my wardrobe, no matter what the trend forecasters say. I will definitely style other types of pants from boot cut, to straight, to wide leg and flares, but skinnies will still hold a place in my closet.

I thought this Periodic Table of Muppets tee perfect for the Classic Green color on the NY palette. The thing I love about graphic tees is that they allow every individual to speak for themselves. They show the bands we like, the shows we watch, the activities and hobbies we groove on. A graphic tee can tell a lot about a person. What do you suppose this tee says about me? If you guessed that I grew up watching the Muppet Show, then you are right! Ha, ha.

This thrifted Jaclyn Smith Love Bird button down is such a great piece for spring and summer. Gingham always moves our minds towards the warmer days of spring and a summer full of outdoor activities and picnics at the park.

While these olive pants are not as yellowy as the Pantone Leek Green, it still gives you the idea of olive drab, which you know comes in a variety of shades from green gray to green brown and green yellow. I’ve had these Gloria Vanderbilt utility skinnies for a number of years and have styled them multiple times on the blog. You can see them with an olive utility vest, a light weight sweater, a floral bomber jacket, and a snakeskin print jacket.

The addition of my Steve Madden white sneakers keeps the outfit feeling springy and fun.

This brown and white bag was a thrifting treasure. It is Rafe NY brand. I really like the style and roominess of the this bag. The fringe tassel and woven buckle strap on the front pocket add such fun details. The bag is a bit heavy, so I won’t be using it for any long shopping trips, but it will make a great travel bag with room for a book and a few snacks. Ha, ha. I felt it went very well with the whole vibe of this outfit. What do you think?

I didn’t get a good close up of my necklace, but it is a simple short pendant and the colors mimic the other colors in the outfit.

Style Tip: Go monochrome without going monochrome. All of these colors are in the green category, but they are all different. Even still, the outfit does have a distinct monochrome feel. This is also a great way to put an outfit together. Pick a color category, then choose various shades from that category to make up your whole outfit. Use your accessories as a way to add a few pops of different color.

What do you think of this outfit? Does this mimic your style? What is your casual go to style? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Leave me some love.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase something through a link I get a little bit of a commission. I also now have a Buy Me a Coffee link, so if you are so inclined you can support this little blog by doing that. Thank you so much.

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I wasn’t able to find anything in the Love Bird color, so you may have to track that one down yourself by Googling it or by looking for it at thrift stores.

Have a great week.

Shopping our Closets - Colorful Skirt and Pantone Spring 2023 NY: Beetroot, Crystal Rose, Gray Lilac

(The colors used in these Pantone posts are approximations and not exact matches. The reference to the Pantone Color Institute is meant as a guide and only for your consideration. I do not receive any money from Pantone for these posts. I do it because I love color.)

This week we are shopping our closets looking for a colorful printed skirt to build an outfit around. I chose this floral maxi skirt that I have styled on the blog before as the place to start. Once again, I am incorporating three of the colors from the New York color palette just to give you a sampling of what the Color Institute came up with for this spring and summer.

These colors definitely fall into our radar for spring and summer. For some people pastels are a year round affair. For me, I tend to reach for these lighter, pale colors in the summer months as a way to stay and look cool. In my opinion Beetroot is very similar to Viva Magenta, although a bit more pink. Unlike years past, this year, the Color of the Year is not on the New York or London palettes. I guess they decided they could add one more color on each if they left the Color of the Year as its own entity.

My pleated maxi skirt was a clearance find from Kohl’s a few years ago. Chaps brand, it has a full lining and is very fun to style with its swishy, pleated loveliness. You can see this skirt styled with a gray tee and pink cardigan another Pantone season a few years ago.

Style Tip: As with our unique cardigan from last month’s Shopping our Closets post, start with your printed skirt and build your outfit around it, either focusing on one color in the skirt or a few different colors.

My Crystal Rose pullover sweater is a brand called Colorado Clothing and was thrifted. One of the reasons I give you the brand names on my thrifted pieces is so that if you like the brand you can take the name and plug it in on second hand clothing apps like Ebay or Poshmark and maybe find something you like.

My utility jacket from Maurices is the closest thing I have to the color called Gray Lilac. I had a bag, but in my messiness of clutter, I couldn’t find, it and might have gotten rid of it, but don’t remember. Oh dear, my brain! Ha, ha. It is a darker shade, but if you look it up on the Pantone Spring/Summer 2023 New York Palette page on their website you can see that it is similar.

I kept the accessories fairly simple as I wanted the skirt to be the focal point. I also made it my own by adding combat boots with a blingy clutch.

Style Tip: Make outfits about you and your personality. Just because a particular outfit typically is worn with a certain type of shoe or blazer, doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up a bit and choose pieces that are more to your liking and make your personality shine. The necklace and clutch were both clearance finds; the clutch at Kohl’s and the necklace at Meijer. My boots are a brand called ID Required and are thrifted.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Do you have these in your closet? Do you have a love/hate relationship with pastels? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you.

How would you change up a style like this to make it your own? What do you like about this outfit? What do you not like? Let me know what you think!

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great day!

You can now also buy me a cup of coffee by clicking on this link. I appreciate all of your support.

Outfit Inspiration: Pantone's Color of the Year - Viva Magenta

I still want to bring you a look at the Pantone Color Institutes color selections for this year, so this month I am going to feature a few of the New York Palette Spring/Summer 2023 colors for each of my monthly columns. The Pantone website has become increasingly user unfriendly for just the average joe. If you want to buy their services and products they are great, but I can no longer get specific color info. If you look at their page for the Palettes, the colors are now featured as these tiny, almost imperceptible to the human eye, swatches. Ha, ha.

Before I start, let me reiterate, these are my interpretations of the Pantone colors. They are not exact matches, but correspond as closely as I am able to make them with my limited information from the website and my limited wardrobe.

Viva Magenta is a bright, rich pinky red that easily catches the eye. It is a pretty color that can be combined with loads of other shades for a spring and summer worthy outfit palette. I don’t have a lot of pieces this color in my closet, so I was glad to see I had this Sonoma 3/4 bell sleeve top and the thrifted Libby Edelman shoulder bag.

I decided to combine the Viva Magenta with two of the other colors from the Spring New York Palette. Summer Song is a soft, light blue that reminds me of a light wash denim, which is why I chose my thrifted J. Jill - Out of the Blue embroidered, jacket as a topper. I love the embroidered details on this piece. I’ve worn this on the blog before. You can see it with a white skirt for summer, and with a pair of wide leg jeans.

Vanilla Cream is one of the classic colors on the palette this year. I would say it is a cross between a pale pink and a pale coral. The Crayola Crayon box might call this one Flesh, ha, ha! These thrifted Refuge jeggings, seemed to come pretty close to the Pantone color. I don't typically wear leggings or jeggings without a longer top, but these have back pockets and do look more like jeans than leggings, even though they are incredibly soft and stretchy. You can see how I styled these with a black floral top, a belted orange tank top, in a pink monochrome look, and in a flat lay.

My SO ankle boots were a clearance find from Kohl’s a number of years ago. You can see how I styled them with my cognac jeans, a yellow knit cape, dark pink cords, and gray plaid cropped pants.

Are you a fan of Pantone’s color of the year, Viva Magenta? Do you like it combined with these other spring Pantone colors? Do you have any of these colors in your wardrobe? Leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear your thoughts. I do try to respond to all of your comments, so be sure to check back after a few days.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. I do apologize that I have not yet gotten linked up with some other affiliate partners. It’s all about the research which takes time. I haven’t given up, but for now I will keep bringing you at least some possible options through my ShopStyle affiliate program. These are brought to you at no additional cost, unless you purchase something of course. Ha, ha.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Samoan Sun, Martini Olive and Chiseled Stone

Today is my last post for the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 New York palette series. I decided to do a flat lay for a change due to several factors that are affecting my ability to get posts done. The first is time. I do not know where time goes, but it sure seems like I have less of it than ever before and I am not even working a regular job right now. Second, I injured my knee a few years ago and recently I tweaked it and it has been very painful. I have an appointment Thursday to have it checked out, but I knew it was going to be hard to get pictures done with changing clothes, running up and down the stairs and going outside, so I thought a flat lay the next best thing.

The three colors today’s outfit revolved around are great colors for fall and I think this outfit would be perfect for a casual Thanksgiving celebration. My yellow Samoan Sun sweater is a thrifted Old Navy piece. It has more orange undertones to it, but I still think it works great for this outfit.

My Chiseled Stone striped tee is another thrift find from a brand called Company Ellen Tracy. I looked up Ellen Tracy and it is a clothing retailer with some nice pieces. You can check it out by clicking on the link. The brand seems to exude class and modesty. Prices are a tad high for my limited resources, but I like to show you retailers you might be interested in. If I had the money, I would definitely shop this brand more often.

My Martini Olive utility skinny pants have made multiple appearances on the blog. They are Gloria Vanderbilt brand. You can see these pants styled with a floral bomber, a light weight pullover, a snakeskin print jacket, a floral dress, a lace vest, and a floral dress as a jacket.

My accessories were simple and I chose to emphasize the black to coordinate with the stripes in the tee.

I love this simple charm pendant necklace. It adds a touch of interest to almost any outfit without being overly garish. I couldn’t even tell you where I got it, but knowing my past shopping habits it was either thrifted, or bought at Kohl’s or JC Penney. Ha, ha.

I’ve shown you this black Aidebam bag on the blog before. I got this one from Amazon, but Amazon’s inventory changes pretty regularly and I don’t see this exact style on there anymore. I will include a few shopping links at the end. Here is a very similar one.

These black boots are a very recent thrift find. They were my size and I loved the “witchy” vibe of them. They are a brand called Rampage. I have a wedding coming up and right now I am planning to build my outfit around one of two pairs of ankle boots. I also found a blue velvet pair, another thrifting treasure that I wasn’t lookin for, (but I was). I hope to do a blog post next week on what to wear to a fall wedding using the outfit I come up with. Keep a look out.

Style Tip - The right shoes or boots with an outfit can absolutely make the outfit. If you are not sure about which pair of shoes to wear when going to an event or celebration, try on a few different pairs. Remember, heels of any height will upgrade a look, even when wearing distressed jeans and a tee. If you are going for a more casual look, then think flatter souls and a heel that is an inch or less.

I hope you enjoyed this flat lay and the conclusion of my Pantone series. From now through the end of the the year I hope to bring you holiday inspired and winter looks. Leave me a comment or two, letting me know what you thought of this outfit. Which was your fave in the series? 1 - Lava Falls, Amazon, and Arctic Wolf, 2 - Orange Tiger, Nosegay, and Autumn Blonde, 3 - Rose Violet, Caramel Cafe, and Polar Night, 4 - Waterspout, Midnight and Loden Frost or today’s.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. Remember these are affiliate links, which are brought to you at no extra cost. You do not pay anything extra to purchase something through one of my links. In fact, it helps me by putting a few cents into my pocketbook. I really appreciate every little bit.

Have a great week!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Waterspout, Midnight and Loden Frost

Today’s Pantone Autumn/Winter colors include a bright blue, a dark blue and a light green. Waterspout is a bright aqua blue which seems an odd choice for an autumn palette, but the color gurus will do what they do, and actually it is rather nice to have a few brighter, lighter choices as the days get shorter and the skies begin to gray. Midnight is not really like the midnight blue crayon we all had in our big boxes of Crayolas growing up, but perhaps more like the night sky just after the sun sets, but before the stars start to come out. Loden Frost is a sage green with a little bit of depth and richness.

So far in this series, I think this is my favorite outfit. I like the combination of blues and greens and thought it was an appropriate look for a warm fall day.

I’ve styled this thrifted dress before on the blog. I have had it for years and it is getting a little snug since all my weight has done its post menopausal thing and moved to my mid section. Ha, ha. But that is the beauty of layering. You don’t notice it as much. This is a brand called Oliva Rose, however, there are numerous brands out there with that name, so I have no idea where it originated.

I found this Maurice’s brand sweater at a thrift store. I really like Maurice’s, but I try to stay out of that store. They have so many cute things every season. I like their tees, tops and jeans, but I wait for good sales and coupons, because things cost more now than ever. I am also really trying to curb my buying all around.

My sea turtle scarf is from the dollar store. Back when my oldest was pregnant and we were putting together the shower the theme was Sea creatures. I found a few cute scarves for game give aways and this was a left over. My necklace was a product of two different thrifted pieces that ended up breaking, so I put them together.

My olive Fossil hobo bag is also thrifted. It is another work horse in my closet and is continually in and out of rotation. Fossil brand is a good quality brand and while I never buy them full price, I do love when I can find one on clearance or at a thrift store. This one is a great utility bag with multiple pockets and compartments for everything you need.

I found these navy boots last year online at Kohl’s. They are Journee brand. I am not too adventurous when it comes to my boot colors. I like browns, black, and gray, but I thought it would be nice to have a navy pair, specifically of knee high boots, for a different vibe. Do you like your boots to be a more basic color, or do you like a bright, bold look for your feet?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think of these colors. I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. When you click on a link, I get a few pennies. When you purchase the item through the provided link, I get a little bit more. I appreciate all you clicks. All opinions are my own.

I hope you are having a great week.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette: Rose Violet, Caramel Cafe, and Polar Night

As I continue the Pantone Autumn/Winter color series, I want to remind you my graphics are interpretations of the colors and do not match exactly. I have provided links to the Pantone website and the colors, so you can see what they actually look like. This week’s colors are a combination of a bright pinky purple, an earthy caramel brown and a deep navy. My Rose Violet is definitely too purple. If you click on the link you can see it really is more of a Fuchsia pink than purple. I don’t know why I thought my kimono was the right color. Oh well, I still think it makes for a bright, interesting outfit, even if the colors aren’t exact.

I received this beautiful silk robe from my younger daughter when she and her sister gave me my spa day for my birthday this past January. I really only wear robes in the winter when it is cold, so I thought this pretty piece deserved to be showcased.

Style Tip: Think outside the box when it comes to your clothing pieces. A bathrobe might suddenly be the perfect topper for a holiday party, or your cute checked pj pants might be a great addition to your casual Friday work wear routine.

I was having a hard time smiling when I took these pictures. I still feel tired and the dreary weather wasn’t helping my sinus headache. My hair is a bit fly away too. Oh well, you don’t follow me so that I’ll show you fake pictures and phony smiles. This is the real me, so thanks for loving me anyway! Ha, ha.

My Polar Night tee is an older Christopher and Banks piece. I like to have multiple solid colored tees in short sleeve and long sleeve versions strictly for the purpose of layering, either under pieces like this or just for added warmth under a pullover sweater.

You’ve seen these Stitch Star patchwork jeans on the blog before. I think they worked well for the Caramel Cafe color. The last two times I combined them with red. See the red sweater, and the red knit vest. I think they work well with the purple and with the navy colors.

Style Tip: Don’t be afraid to try new color combinations. You might find you like something even better than your regular go to choices, plus it makes you feel almost a bit daring stepping outside your comfort zone.

I kept my accessories simple. I liked the contrast of the navy tee with the pale purple necklace. I also chose my thrifted silver cross body bag.

I thought the navy SO ankle boots were a compatible choice with the navy tee, but a pair of caramel or cognac colored books would have worked too and the similar color would elongate the leg.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear a kimono like this anywhere but the house? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’m including a few shopping links. Enjoy shopping and remember these are affiliate links brought to you at no added cost. If you click on a link I get a few cents. I appreciate all your clicks.

I hope you are having a wonderful October. We have had some beautiful days and the leaves have been just gorgeous. I will not be posting next week as we are taking a few days away with our family, but look for more posts on the blog the following week and as usual I will be posting regularly on Instagram and Facebook.

Have a great weekend!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022: Orange Tiger, Nosegay, and Autumn Blonde

Welcome to another outfit in my Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022 - New York Palette color series. For today’s look I combined the colors Orange Tiger, a lovely fall orange, Nosegay, a rich pastel pink and Autumn Blonde, a neutral classic for a cozy outfit with watercolor brushstrokes and southwest vibes.

When I decided to pair Nosegay and Tiger Orange I had this watercolor skirt in mind. The colors are mixed together with bold strokes and finished off with the southwest hem along the bottom of the skirt. I found this piece thrifting a few years ago and thought it would be great for spring and summer, but it seems to work for fall as well. It is a brand called ECI NY.

My light Nosegaybutton down is a thrifted Eddie Bauer piece. Originally I was thinking of wearing it over the sweater like a shacket. I ended up putting it under the sweater, but I’m not in love with how this looks.

The Autumn Blonde sweater is a recent find and is Forever 21 brand. I really like the ties along the outer seams on the torso.

I decided to grab the olive color in the skirt with my bag and booties. The Fossil bag is thrifted, and the SO booties are from a few years ago at Kohl’s.

I am not thrilled with this outfit, but life happens and I wanted to get something thrown together to at least share the Pantone colors with you. Though I love the color pink, it is not one that I use regularly in the fall. I also go more for rusty oranges rather than a bright orange like this one. What are your thoughts? Do you like these colors? How would you wear them?

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Thank you for all you love, support and feedback. I always appreciate hearing from you!

Have a great week.

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2022: Lava Falls, Amazon and Arctic Wolf

Here we are, once again, looking at another color palette from the Pantone Color Institute. For the next few weeks I will be concentrating on the New York colors. In the past I have tried to give you both palettes, but with changes in life, so too come changes with the blog. For now, I want to bring you the New York palette which was where the institute was founded in 1962. From the Pantone website it looks as though the London palette was added in 2017.

For this look, I wanted to combine the bright red of Lava Falls with the energetic green of Amazon and see if I could come up with an outfit that didn’t look like I was getting ready for a Christmas get together. Let me know in the comments if you think I pulled it off.

My Lava Falls flag tee was a thrift store find this summer. Unfortunately, I didn’t have it washed to wear for Independence Day celebrations. When I was pulling clothes for this series, I saw the tee and thought, why not. Our gratitude for our country and our freedom shouldn't be restricted to one or two days a year, just like Thanksgiving shouldn’t be the only time we dwell on what we have to be thankful for.

This Amazon green sweater was new from Christopher and Banks a few years ago. I love a longer cardigan like this for fall, and an open front cardigan has no buttons or zippers for things like coats or bags to get caught on. Most of the time, I leave my cardigans open anyway to show off the top underneath, so an open front piece is a great choice.

Arctic Wolf is a creamy off white and these thrifted Gloria Vanderbilt pants probably tend towards a little more gray where as the actual Pantone color has more yellow undertones. However, you get the idea and when it comes to the color cream, off white, ivory or whatever title you want to give it, they are all in the white family.

For accessories I went with black to go with the black stripes on the flag. My black bag was an Amazon purchase a few years ago and is Aidebam brand. My sneakers are new to me, a thrifted pair of Vans high tops with a fun floral design.

For jewelry I added a simple choker pendant. I found this at a thrift store and love the pressed flower look of the pendant.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear them together, or do you think red and green are strictly for Christmas? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for items in similar colors. These are affiliate links, which means when you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a little bit more. I appreciate each and every click.

I just tested positive for Covid yesterday, after my hubby tested positive on Friday. Our two friends who came for the weekend have also tested positive. I feel so bad, but here we are. I would appreciate good thoughts and prayers, as with my asthmatic condition it puts me in a higher risk category. Thank you everyone!

Have a good week and stay healthy.

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Harbor Blue, Dahlia, and Northern Droplet

These are the last three colors from the Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 New York Palette. Today’s colors are festive and fun, the perfect combination for a summer event. I always love a brighter, richer approach to color anyway, so these are probably two of my faves from this palette. Click here to see the actual Pantone colors.

Harbor Blue is a medium blue green giving it a teal vibe, but with a little less intensity. Dahlia is a beautiful shade of purple that reminds me of spring and summer flowers like Azaleas, Cosmos and Pansies. Northern Droplet is a light shade of gray much like an early morning fog over a mountain lake.

For my outfit today, I ended up using a slightly darker gray rather than a light gray. I don’t own a lot of light gray because it is one of those colors that doesn’t do me justice. It is also what I would term, a non color, meaning it doesn’t really do a whole lot for very many people. Certainly there are women who look wonderful in a light shade of gray, but it seems to me that a medium to dark gray is a better choice for most of us.

As of the posting of these photos it is still cool in the midwest. We have had so many gray and rainy days, I am honestly starting to think we are turning into the new northwest and joining our friends in Seattle. However, I did want to give you an outfit where I at least showed a little bit of skin on my legs, just to give the feeling of oncoming summer and warmer weather.

My Harbor Blue bomber jacket was a clearance purchase from ShopNational a few seasons ago. I love the floral textured pattern. The banding at the neck, sleeves and bottom makes it extra comfy to wear. It is a unique piece that I don’t wear a lot, but one that I will hang on to for its versatility and vibrant color.

My thrifted jeans are a brand called Stylus. This appears to be a discontinued brand that may have once been sold at JC Penney and Walmart. I like that they have a tiny bit of distressing near the pocket and above the knee.

My Bambi tee is a thrifted Sonoma piece. When I first got it I knew the print was of deer, but after closer inspection it is definitely Bambi’s silhouette. You can also see my silver necklace that my bestie gave me back in March when we were in NY visiting my mom. I opted for the olive canvas belt because there is a bit of olive in the scarf.

My beautiful scarf was gifted to me by a dear friend who was clearing out her home in preparation for their move to Tennessee. Every time I wear it, I am reminded of her and her husband who moved to be near their youngest daughter, her husband, and their first baby. I just love all the colors in this scarf and feel like it is the perfect piece for every season.

Style Tip: When you don’t know what outfit to put together, pull out a favorite printed scarf. Take cues from the scarf on putting the ensemble together by choosing pieces with matching or similar colors. It really helps for picking out outfits and I do this often, when I am going away for the weekend.

My Ked’s sparkly sneakers are quite old, and perhaps need another run through the washer. I chose my simple Aerosmith tote (a hand me over from my younger girl) for my bag.

Do you like these colors? Would you wear these colors together? Let me know what you think of this outfit by leaving me a comment.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thank you for all of your support. Have a great weekend!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Spun Sugar, Coca Mocha, and Perfectly Pale

Today’s Pantone colors are a blend of earthy and pastels. Spun Sugar is a light, airy blue reminiscent of hazy summer skies. Coca Mocha makes me think of a double scoop of chocolate ice cream and Perfectly Pale is the perfect summer alternative to basic white. See the actual Pantone colors here.

I think these colors are a great pairing for spring and summer. We often think of brown as a fall color, just like we think of white as only a summer color. Well, girlfriends, we definitely needing to change our thinking about color, as in all colors work at any time of year. I will forever love my darker browns, oranges, yellows and burgundies in the fall, but that doesn’t mean I won’t occasionally put them on in the heat of summer. God made color and color is good, all year round.

My Sugar Spun tee is a Sonoma piece. I don’t know that I consider myself wild, but I definitely am glad I live in a free country. That is something I never want to take for granted. I am thankful for all who have fought for so many years to keep our country the free nation it is. I have come to have a deep affection for graphic tees, especially those with words on them.

This outfit is all me. The colors work for me and the pieces are all thrift finds except the necklace, bag and sneakers. The Coca Mocha velvet blazer is a brand called SSA, and is definitely showing wear. I need to do some stitching around the cuffs as it has been wanting to come apart. But overall, I think the blazer still has some wear left in it. This is not something I would normally gravitate towards in the summer, but with our weather being so wacky, I think I will keep this available.

Style Tip: Don’t put your blazers away for spring and summer. Think of them as light weight jackets that you can throw on with cropped pants, capris and even shorts. They make any casual outfit look classy and put together.

My pants are Gloria Vanderbilt and a newer thrift purchase. I knew I wanted a few other lighter weight and lighter colored pants for spring, so this utility pair does the trick.

Style Tip: If pure white is not your bag, find light colored bottoms for summer in pale creams, tans and yellows. You’ll get a similar effect to wearing white and won’t have to worry as much about your colored underwear showing through.

Summer for me means less in the accessory department. I can’t wear most scarves as I get too hot and many of my jewelry pieces make me break out in the warmer weather. These warm months are where I turn to pieces with hippie vibes that use cording, or heavyweight string for pendants and bracelets. I am thinking about taking a few of my hubby’s metal detecting finds and turning them into jewelry, so I guess this would be the time.

My daisy necklace was a Christmas gift from my husband. I like the little quirk it has, because that’s me, just a little quirky. Ha. ha. I am also showing off my round Nine West snakeskin print bag, that I got a few seasons ago from Kohl’s on clearance. Last, but not least, I had to use my bright blue Converse again, since they went along with the Spun Sugar color.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like the colors together, or would you put them with other colors? I love hearing your thoughts and ideas. You inspire me too!

I’m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette: Gossamer Pink, Skydiver and Poppy Seed

Hi everyone. It is time for another set of colors from the Pantone Spring/Summer New York Palette. These colors include the pastel Gossamer Pink, the pretty, bright, Skydiver blue, and a charcoal gray called Poppy Seed. I was glad to see a darker gray on the Classic color palette, as that has always appealed to me more than the lighter gray. These are my choices from my closet for each of these colors. To see the actual Pantone New York palette colors, click here.

My blue cardigan is not a perfect match for the Pantone color, but I try to give you ideas for outfits with interesting color combinations, not do a paint by number. I love this light Gossamer Pink with the bright contrast of the Skydiver blue. This would have been another pretty combo for Easter, but any spring activity where you have to dress up a little would welcome these colors. This would be perfect office attire as well.

I have had this Christopher and Banks cardi for a few years. It is a lighter weight sweater that is perfect for the spring, or for summer when you need a little something in the air conditioning. They don’t seem to be carrying this same type of sweater, but you can always check here at Kohl’s for a few solids and prints on a basic button down cardigan.

My pink blouse is Elle brand, and was a clearance purchase from Kohl’s a few seasons ago. It is a sheer material with little sparkles throughout, which are not visible in the picture. It has 3/4 sleeves and ties to make a bow. I also added this pretty spring scarf that one of my daughters gave me a few years ago.

My Poppy Seed gray plaid trousers have been around forever. They are Style & Co. brand. I know Macy’s and a few other retailers sell Style & Co. brand, but I honestly can’t remember if I got these at Macy’s or if I thrifted them. Macy’s isn’t a retailer I have typically frequented, but I have gone a few times with my bestie and might have bought these on one of those trips.

My black belt was a recent thrift find.

My shoes are my Aerosoles black heeled pumps. I like the lower more stocky heel in my older years. My feet are not used to wearing heels at all anymore, so when I do they have to be ultra comfortable. Aerosoles fit the bill in that regard. Check out their website for great looking shoes at reasonable prices.

My bag is a thrifted NY & Co. and can be a tote or fold it over for a smaller clutch option.

Do you have these colors in your closet? How would you were these, with each other, or with other colors? What is your favorite spring color combination? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave a comment or two below.

I’m including a few shopping links below. These are affiliate links, which means I get a little money when you click on a link. These are brought to you at no cost and I appreciate all the clicks. All opinions are my own.

Have a super week everyone!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 - NY Palette - Innuendo, Poinciana and Basil

Week two in my Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 series and we are looking at the New York Palette. Last week we saw a medium blue, a bright yellow and a crisp white that, put together, made a perfect spring Easter look. This week is another perfect combo for the upcoming Sunday holiday, especially if you are going to church or visiting family.

Innuendo is a bright, hot pink, while Poinciana is a simmering red. Combined with the classic light green color Basil, the look I put together says chic and classy with a splash of watermelon cooler! Let me know what you think.

I don’t often think of pairing pink and red, but for some reason I love how this turned out. The bright pink with the bright red just seems to work. Pairing them with the printed floral skirt led to a bright, colorful spring outfit perfect for Easter Sunday, or even a spring wedding or other event where you need to get more dressed up.

My bright pink open front cardigan was a thrift find and is Old Navy brand. I like to give you the brand names on things because it gives you an idea of the cut and quality of a piece. I don’t shop at Old Navy, but I certainly will grab their brand at a thrift store. This is a lighter weight piece so perfect for the warmer temps…at whatever point those arrive. Ha, ha. Here is one from Kohl’s, Shein, and Chico’s.

My Pop Sugar red smocked blouse was from Kohl’s a few seasons ago. It has ruffle details along the sleeve openings, but is otherwise sleeveless. I love the smocking detail and the shiny fabric. Check out these tops from Shein, Dia & Co, and JC Penney. You can also see in the photo below my long pendant necklace and belt. I have a beaded bracelet on as well that mimics the Basil green color, but it is mostly hidden by my sleeve. Ha, ha.

Style Tip: To get more use out of your clothes, try pairing unexpected colors together. You will not only have new ways to wear different pieces, but you’ll become a trend maker.

My skirt is a thrifted piece and the tag was torn or cut out, so I have no idea who made it, but it is a typical prairie maxi skirt. It is lined, but the lining is very sheer like the skirt, so I still felt a slip was necessary. See these from Kohl’s, Shein, and Dia & Co.

My shoes are a number of years old. I don’t wear heels or wedges much any more, so these have stayed in nice shape. These are Keds brand. I most likely got them at Kohl’s on clearance. The brand doesn’t seem to make this sort of espadrille with the wedge heel anymore, but I’ll give you some other options in my shopping links below.

My bag is also a few years old and was from Charming Charlie. We used to have a store at our mall. Now it is called something else, but still has a similar vibe to it with bags, jewelry and scarves being their main products along with a few clothes. Here are a few green tote bags from Amazon, Banana Republic, ModCloth, and Kohl’s.

What do you think of these colors? Do you think they go well together? Do you have any of these colors in your closet? I love hearing your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two.

I provided direct link shopping links above, due to changes at the affiliate site I was using. I’ve included a few shoe links through the affiliate website. I only receive a few cents when you shop through the affiliate sites. The other direct link sites I bring to you at no cost, but I also don’t make money through them. I just want you to have some shopping options.

Have a great week!

Pantone Spring/Summer 2022: Glacier Lake, Daffodil and Snow White

Welcome to the New York Palette of the Pantone Spring/Summer 2022 colors. Pantone has changed the way it allows usage of products, so images are no longer free. Now you have to have a subscription to use the color swatches via the internet, so I have had to get creative in putting together my graphics. I am also not using my daughter’s photography services now, as she is very busy with her business and her baby. I am definitely creating new pathways in my brain, but that is good.

If you want to see the actual Pantone colors click on the following link: Spring/Summer 2022 - New York Palette. I try to get my colors as close to the palette colors as possible, but they are not exact. I appreciate the Pantone Institute’s use of color and always enjoy seeing what the colors are for each season.

For today’s outfit, I thought the mix of yellow, blue and white perfect for spring and even for the upcoming Easter holidays. This color combo makes me think of the sunny flowers the color is named for, and the many blues of summer including skies, lakes and denim. White is always classic, not only for summer, but every season.

My Glacier Lake vest is a Christopher and Banks piece that I found at a thrift store. It has the utility look with the larger, square pockets, encased drawstring and metal buttons. I love using my utility vests in the spring and fall.

Style Tip: If you want an extra layer but don’t want all the bulk choose a light weight vest. A utility vest or a dressier suit vest will provide extra warmth, but won’t add the bulk of a quilted, or sherpa type piece.

My bright, yellow cable knit pullover is St. John’s Bay piece. I honestly can’t remember if I bought it at JCPenney or if I got it thrifting. Ha, ha. My white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans I have had for a number of years now. They are just the right weight and thickness for no-show issues, and can be dressed up or down.

My floral scarf is a piece I recently thrifted. I love scarves. I think they add so much to an outfit.

Style Tip: When styling an outfit with two or three solid colors, add a printed scarf for additional color and interest.

You’ve seen my Merona thrifted bag a few times now on the blog. I thought it was a good choice for this springy look. I also opted to wear my Steve Madden platform sneakers. When it comes to platforms, these are very low, which I like. I really don’t like all the extra bulk of a thicker platform or a really thick lug sole on boots.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear them together? Do you have these colors in your closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a small commission when you click on a link. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week everyone!

Pantone - Autumn/Winter - 2021 - London Palette: Green Bee, Downtown Brown, and Olive Branch

Hi everyone! November is zooming along and I am still trying to get back into some sort of rhythm, not only here on the blog, but in life. Anyone who suffers from a long term illness can relate to what I am talking about. Not being able to sleep for such a long period of time and still dealing with unresolved symptoms make it hard to get back to what I would say is a normal routine. However, I know there are people who are struggling with much worse situations and I am thankful that I am able to do as much as I can. In fact, this past weekend, we were able to travel to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday with her, so that was good.

Unfortunately, there has also been other difficult things along the way. My son-in-law lost his grandfather this past week and I know that has been a great loss for the whole family. He was a dear man, a wonderful painter and loved his family, so he will be missed. As many of you can relate, it seems as we get older, we see loss happening around us at a more frequent pace. This too is part of life, and for me knowing God is holding me and my loved ones during these times, makes it a little less painful.

Now on to another outfit. As I said last week, while I am wildly behind, I decided to go ahead and show you these Pantone London Palette outfits as possible sources of inspiration for Thanksgiving Day wear. Many of you will be celebrating with friends or family and it is a good reason, to get out of those sweat pants and dress up a little bit, if just for your own mental well being.

You can’t go wrong with a pair of trousers, a pretty top and a fun scarf and bag. Obviously, you can pick your colors, but I chose to combine these earthy tones for a look that is a mix of military meets, moto chic.

My Downtown Brown moto jacket is a thrifted piece that I have styled on the blog before. It is a brand called Celebrity Works. I do like this medium milk chocolate brown. Browns can be tricky to wear, especially when they contain a little too much gray or a little more red, or well, you get the idea. A true brown is hard to find, but I think this brown hits the mark, so thank you Pantone for that one.

You’ve seen my Olive Branch pants numerous times on the blog as well. As I look at them in these pictures, I am thinking I might need to find a replacement pair. These are starting to look worn and really don’t look very flattering. Of course that may have had something to do with my chubby thighs. Ha, ha. These were Gloria Vanderbilt brand and I probably got them at Kohl’s.

For the Green Bee color I chose a thrifted Studio Works popover top that I did the front tuck on, which gave it the blouson effect. I also added the Green Bee paisley print scarf. The thought to add the Dana Buchman floral bag was a last minute addition, but I like how it pulled everything together. A fun floral bag is a great addition to your wardrobe, especially when it can serve multiple season duty. This one works just as well in spring, summer and fall.

I chose my trusty Olive Branch SO ankle boots for my shoes. My ankle boots definitely get used in these cooler fall temps.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear an outfit like this to your Thanksgiving celebration? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments below.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links and are brought to you at no extra cost. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through one of my links I get a few more pennies. I appreciate every penny! All opinions are my own. Please note, I am not familiar with all of the retailers I list in my links, so be sure to read and understand their return policies in case something doesn’t fit or isn’t to your liking.

I hope you enjoyed today’s post. Until next time, have a great day.

Photo credit Jessica Trumbull with Rebecca Trumbull.