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.

Color Play - Red and Orange Cream

As you know, the reason I like to play with color is to force myself to get out of my own preconceived box regarding color combinations. Most of us are familiar and comfortable with combinations like navy with white in the summer, or rust with yellow in the fall. We tend to stay away from those combinations that look like restaurant decor - think yellow and red (McDonalds), or team colors - yellow and green (Green Bay Packers), unless we are putting on our work uniform or going to a football game. However, I like the challenge of finding different or unusual color combinations allowing me to make better use of the clothing I already have in my closet.

Today’s outfit revolves around two new pieces I got in the last month: a red and white striped top and a creamy light orange eyelash cardigan.

I pulled out my thrifted St. John’s Bay wide leg pants. The only reason I chose these was so I could wear my knee brace without it being seen. Ha, ha. But I actually like the way the outfit turned out. Wide legs seemed to have jumped off the trend-go-round until next time, but that is no reason to get rid of them, if you have a pair. Every once in a while it is nice to wear something outside the trend box, just because it is comfortable and the right color.

My bright red striped mock turtleneck tee is from Maurices and was another great deal. I love stripes anyway. I have a few tops that are white with red stripes, but when I saw this red with skinny white stripes, I grabbed it. It is very soft and comfortable.

I also added a long pendant necklace with reds for a bit of fun.

This wonderfully fuzzy chenille eyelash sweater is the bomb. I love the fun texture and the luxurious softness of the knit. It is also extra cozy, so I have a feeling it will be popping up here and there throughout the chaotic weather of spring. I found this on the clearance rack at our local Meijer.

I used my red top handle bag again for the Valentine’s red color and added my SO ankle boots which matched my pants fairly well. However, silly me, didn’t think to put on my brown socks…ha, ha. Oh well, the little foxes match quite well.

Style Tip: To make your legs look longer and leaner match your shoe to your pants (and your socks :)). You can get the same effect with tights and boots of the same color.

What do you think of this color combination? I think it is fun and different, but not so different that it doesn’t work. Let me know what you think by leaving me some love in the comments.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. These are provided for your benefit and do not cost you anything to click on.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

My Style - Blue Jeans and Plaid Blazer

Nothing says comfort and style like a good pair of jeans and a fun blazer. This is the kind of style I love and dressing like this always makes me feel stylish, and confident. An outfit like this can be worn on casual Friday’s at the office, out for lunch with your gal pals, or for a casual date night with your significant other.

In keeping with my month long attempt to use mainly Valentine’s colors in my outfits I had to showcase this recent purchase from Maurice’s. I got this red plaid blazer and a few other fun items at great prices as they are moving fall and winter stuff out to make room for spring and summer. This piece may just be wearable for at least three seasons if not all four. It is a medium weight knit, but still structured enough that it lays well. It has a double breasted feel, with a one button closure.

My jeans are oldies that I have worn for many blog posts and Instagram photos. They are a brand called Kikit, and like many of my favorite jeans are beginning to show their wear. Do you have a few pairs of favorite jeans that you always find yourself reaching for over and over?

I thought this Elle brand, Eiffel Tower sweater would be a good mix with the black and white in the blazer. While this interpretation of the French tourist attraction is by no means symmetrical, I like the way it is filled in with the black velvet paisley swirls, flowers, and lace.

Since I was going for a casual, fun look I opted for my thrifted black marled Converse sneakers. My jewelry was simple with a short chain necklace with blingy globes and the burgundy twist bracelet. Last, I chose my black top handle/cross body bag, which was from Amazon.

Do you like to wear a blazer with jeans? What is your go to style for a casual Friday look or going out with friends? Let me know in the comments below. I love to get your feedback.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few cents when you click on a link. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own and you are not charged anything extra to make a purchase through my links. I supply these links mainly to give you ideas and options for outfit pieces you may not already have. I appreciate all you clicks and purchases.

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!

Fashion Fun: Men's Oversized Button Down

When it comes to thrifting for fashion, I like to think outside the box. I always peruse all the sizes, because so often size is relative. What I mean by that is, it is relative to the brand. A size 12 in one brand might fit you perfectly, but a size 12 in another brand, might be too big or too small. I honestly believe sizing is different than it used to be. If you shop vintage clothing, at all, you will see that most of the pieces are relatively small. Women tended towards being smaller in the waist, hips, and shoulders than we are now. Not sure why, but it does seem to be the case.

I have also started looking in the men’s section of thrift stores for fun pieces like tees and printed button downs. I like the roomier cut of a men’s medium or even large shirt and they often have textures, prints and fabrics that are different than those on the women’s racks. Today, I am going to show you three different outfits using three men’s button downs that I purchased while thrifting.

Outfit 1 - Men’s Button Down as a Tunic

When I saw this paisley madness, I knew I had to have it. This is Visconti brand. If you type the name be sure to type in Visconti clothing. and you’ll see they have them at Dillards. They also have their own website, but I am not here to encourage you to buy a new shirt. This to encourage you to look at the men’s racks if you thrift, or even if you shop clearance. I absolutely love the colors in this piece and it is easily worn all year round as a top or as a “shacket”.

I topped this look with a thrifted, black Nadia brand, corduroy vest. I added my Simply Vera, Vera Wang skinny jeans and my black knee high boots. The black embroidery on these jeans are what sold me. The abstract floral print goes with so many other pieces.

I didn’t really need to add any jewelry since the print is so busy, but I thought it would be fun to add this piece that has a variety of colors and textures. It blends in, yet also stands on its own.

Outfit 2 - Men’s Button Down as a Work Wear Top

This shirt is Izod brand. This year’s Pantone Color of the Year is called Very Peri. I think it is a very pretty color reminiscent of the Periwinkle flowers, which can come in blue, purple or white. I thought this checked shirt fit the color well. One thing I have to do with most of the men’s shirts I purchase is roll up the sleeves, but rolling up the width of the cuff is just the right amount, so you can hardly tell.

My denim pencil skirt is also thrifted and Gloria Vanderbilt brand. I like the length of this and if I still had a reason to wear a skirt would definitely be wearing this often. I added the navy hose to cover my veiny legs and thought the black, thrifted Nine West loafers gave it a work wear look. I also added the denim blue cloth belt and the dark purple agate pendant necklace. My thrifted, Merona bag, also brings in that Very Peri vibe.

Outfit 3 - Men’s Button Down as a Shacket

I’ve had this thrifted, Ruff Hewn corduroy button down for a few years now. I love the color and typically think of it as a fall piece. It is soft, warm and roomy, so a perfect piece for wearing over lightweight sweaters, sweatshirts or long sleeve tees.

I wanted this outfit to have more of a spring vibe, so I went with my Sonoma floral joggers, and a thrifted light pink Express short sleeve tee. I opted for metallic accessories including my silver Sketcher sneakers, pewter hand-me-over bag, and my silver and copper necklace.

Here are the three outfits side by side.

I hope you enjoyed this look at how to style a men’s oversized button down. It is fun to explore other options in your fashion wardrobe, and you never know when something you try will become your new favorite style. Which outfit was your favorite? Do you wear men’s clothing? How do you like to style a men’s or women’s oversized shirt? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by the blog. I have provided a few shopping links for your enjoyment. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - London Palette - Pickled Pepper, Orange Ochre and Sphagnum

For today’s outfit I decided to combine the two greens that were on the London Palette. Both Pickled Pepper and Sphagnum are great green shades for summer time. While Pickled Pepper is one of the main palette colors, Sphagnum is one of the palette classic colors. Olive is a great neutral and goes with just about every color out there, so Sphagnum, (which is actually a type of moss), makes for the perfect classic color.

My Pickled Pepper popover top is Sonoma from Kohl’s a few years ago. This top is easy to wear, as well as cool for these hot, humid days. I don’t usually prefer to wear sleeves with elastic, but as long as the elastic isn’t cutting off the circulation in my arms I’m okay with it.

My Sphagnum utility vest is Mudd brand, and was another clearance purchase from Kohl’s a few seasons ago.

These light wash jeans were a recent thrift find. A brand called Ella Moss, this brand is available at stores like Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Amazon, Dillards, and others. I like the cropped length and the high waist of this pair.

For the Orange Ochre color, I grabbed my thrifted, orange suede bag and a fun pendant choker. It is much easier to include a brighter color, if you do it with accessories.

I had to show off my new clearance Converse sneakers from DSW. They are very comfy and I love the blue color. They are similar in color to my thrifted Keds, which are showing a bit of wear, so these were a great find.

Here are a few silly pictures. I was jumping for joy. Ha, ha.

What do you think of these colors? Do you like to wear green? Do you have Sphagnum (olive) in your closet? I would love to hear from you. I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Graphic and photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - London Palette - Purple Rose, Lava Falls and Baby's Breath

Today’s colors are a blend of pastel purple, bold red and creamy off white. I have always loved purple, but it really isn’t a color I regularly wear. I easily got on board with Purple Rose which is a medium purple that goes well with many other colors, especially things like brown, olive and navy. Why, then did I decide to pair it with a fierce red like Lava Falls? Because I always like to show you things outside the box. It is not very often, that I think to put purple and red together.

The factor that clinched the deal on putting these colors together, was that my thrifted Old Navy, Lava Falls, paisley popover top had both of these colors in it. How fortuitous was that? Ha, ha. This is a fun, tunic type shirt that has short sleeves, and the interesting details of a shirt tail hem line and a lace up v-neck. I love the paisley print too, which always reminds me of the 70’s.

The Croft and Barrow cardigan is older and I like I said, doesn’t get a lot of regular wear, but i just love the color so I keep it around.

You’ve seen these creamy, Baby’s Breath, thrifted, St. John’s Bay ankle pants on the blog before. I really think this look would have been cuter with a creamy denim pencil skirt or a pair of Bermuda shorts, but I don’t have either of those. I am not as fond of the silhouette, but it is okay, just not great.

I didn’t need to wear a necklace and this long opera length beaded strand is exactly the same color as the top, but sometimes I like the subtle texture and shine of a piece, even if it is a similar color. Wrapping this long strand of beads around my neck makes it look like I have on a choker.

I added a few beaded bracelets with similar reds, although there is plenty going on in the top, so it wasn’t really needed. Often, less is more.

My thrifted Simply Vera, Vera Wang cross body bag is making another appearance. This is a great little bag for the warmer months. The off white color goes perfectly with the Baby’s Breath color of the pants.

These Steve Madden platform sneakers were a new purchase from DSW. I had a coupon and I had been looking at this type of sneaker since last summer. I finally took the plunge. They are not something I would use for walking, but they are cute for a casual day of picnicking or window shopping.

What do you think of these colors? Do you think you would ever combine red with purple? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love.

I am including a few shopping links in these colors, so if you have time, give those a look. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Graphic and photo credit, Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - London Palette - Intro

I am finally getting around to sharing the Pantone London Palette with you. It has been hard to get things posted in a timely fashion. Even though I would normally try to get these colors to you, much earlier in the Spring, I figure they are meant for spring and summer, so we are still okay. Today’s post will introduce you to the colors and give you a few little sneak peeks from our recent photo shoot.

These are all great colors for spring and summer. The palette is a nice mix of warm and cool colors and there is likely to be a color for everyone. The classic colors, while still showcasing your typical navy, gray and creamy white, also includes a soft light brown and an mossy olive green. I really like the blues included with this palette. They make me think of tropical waters and blue skies.

Enjoy these sneak peeks.

Be sure to check back on Thursday for the first outfit in this series. I hope you had a lovely Memorial Day weekend.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - New York Palette: Burnt Coral, Marigold and Desert Mist

Today’s outfit blends three colors that seem to epitomize summer with all of its beauty. The deep orange yellow of Marigold, combined with the rustic feel of Burnt Coral and the soft pastel of Desert Mist makes me think of picnics, outdoor parties and long walks on the beach. While my outfit today is probably too warm for summer temperatures, I works well for that in between time when the weather is still unsure of what it is going to do.

I ordered this waffle weave dolman sleeve top from Maurices earlier this year. It has elastic on the bottom, so has more of a cropped feel to it, which isn’t always my favorite, but I think this works well with pieces where the top can be worn without the need for tucking or wearing a belt.

I wasn’t going to use this Roz & Ali medallion print skirt again, but I was having a hard time finding things in my closet that were going to work with these colors. Besides this is a pretty skirt, so I don’t mind using it again. You can see how I styled this piece for several other Pantone color series. Last fall I styled it with a neon yellow short sleeve sweater, and the fall before that with a purple short sleeve sweater. I like that this skirt works perfectly for spring, summer and fall. The skirt contains all the colors from the graphic, even though you can’t see Marigold as well, you can definitely see the Burnt Coral and Desert Mist.

My Desert Mist sweater is a little light compared to the Pantone color, but again, this isn’t about having an exact match, but about giving you options that you can find in your closet. This is a thrifted St. John’s Bay piece. It is always good to have a neutral cardigan or jacket that will work well with many different outfits and colors.

For the Marigold color, I just added a few accessories, similar to what I did in last Thursday’s post with Raspberry Sorbet. The necklace and Sophia Caperelli bag are both thrift finds.

You were recently introduced to these Clark’s flats. They are perfect for wearing with a skirt, whether long or short.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have all of these in your closet? Would you wear them together? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Here’s a picture, just for your enjoyment. Ha, ha.

Have a great evening!

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer Trends - 2021 - Wearing White, Bubblegum Pink and Ballerina Flats

You know how much I love color, so I was excited the Spring Trends for 2021 included a few fun colors. Once again, white is on the scene, and like pastels, seems to now be a year round staple. Winter whites this past winter were very popular and I felt it was an easier color for many to wear than a stark, brilliant white, but even bright white has a place, and this spring and summer it will have its day. In addition to white, this spring/summer season is heralding the addition of bubblegum pink. This bright, deep pink can be worn full on, or sprinkled. Just like ice cream toppings, you can decide if you want to drizzle or drench. Today’s outfit is a simple combination of these two colors. Let me know what you think.

My bright pink striped sweater is a thrift find from a few years ago. This Old Navy brand top is comfortable and light weight, so perfect for these still chilly days of spring. My biggest problem with pullovers right now are my belly flaps, or as they are more commonly known - the spare tire. I don’t really have as much of a bulge in the front, but definitely on my sides. At the suggestion of my daughter, I am discreetly hiding the fact behind my clutch. Ha, ha.

This picture is silly, but I put it in here for several reasons. First, I thought you might enjoy a good laugh. I think this was one of my dance moves: maybe the wave? The second reason has to do with what I did with my pullover top. I often do the front tuck. Doing this helps to hide some of the middle area bulge that many of us are carrying around. I did this as an after thought, so it isn’t as pretty as it could be, but you get the idea. Finally, I wanted you to see this maxi skirt that I have styled before on the blog. This St. John’s Bay skirt from JC Penny is one of my favorite summer pieces, as it is fully lined, has an elastic waist and groovy texture. You can see it styled with a green jacket and an orange striped tee.

I like to give you links to past posts, to show you the versatility of the pieces in your wardrobe and how they can be styled for different seasons and with different pieces. You don’t have to have a clothing fetish like I do to have a full and interesting wardrobe. Having a few key pieces, like a white skirt, whether maxi, midi or mini; a-line, pleated or pencil, will give you lots of options for warm weather looks.

I’ve included a couple of pictures that show you up close the details on the skirt.

Once again, I chose a long, pendant necklace. I also added a silver and gray stone bracelet. To keep my accessories similar I grabbed my silver clutch and my silver SO ballerina flats. As I said last week, low soles are back in style, so grab your flats and your sandals and walk in comfort.

Do you wear white in the summer time? Do you like this bright, bubblegum pink? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Yellow Iris, Rose Brown and Cuban Sand

Today I am featuring two colors I was not quite sure what to do with. When I began searching for these colors in my closet I was sure I wasn’t going to be able to find them. Rose brown is an odd color; not exactly brown, but not really pink, it has a purplish feel to it. Yellow Iris was another tough one for me. I don’t have a ton of pastels in my wardrobe. I like jewel tones and earthy colors, so this pale yellow was stumping me. I have a lot of yellow in my wardrobe; bright yellow, mustard yellow, sunflower yellow, and so on, but not a lot of pale yellow. While Sunlight from the New York palette had an almost light beige or tan vibe to it, this Yellow Iris is strictly a pale yellow. This is what I came up with. Let me know what you think.

I found this floral embellished tee first when looking for these colors. The flowers bear a close resemblance to Rose Brown. This is a thrifted Christopher and Banks tee. The Yellow Iris button up is a thrifted White Stag piece and while not quite as dark as the Pantone color is similar enough. The next pieces I had that were a light yellow were too yellow. Ha, ha.

I added this brown woven belt, because it has a bit of that Rose Brown vibe going on as do the two necklaces I chose. They are definitely a darker brown color, but different than a regular brown, and I thought they went well with the tee.

The gold in the longer necklace made me reach for my gold clutch. You can also see that I added a few simple seed bead bracelets to add a touch more of the Rose Brown color.

My white crop pants I have styled on the blog before. You can see them styled with a dress in another Pantone shoot here. These are a thrifted St. John’s Bay brand.

I looked up the difference between a caged sandal and a gladiator sandal and discovered that there really is no difference. Many gladiator styles come up higher on the leg, much like a boot and involve some sort of lacing, but both gladiator and caged sandals are basically an open style of sandal with numerous straps coming across the foot. They can be open toe, thong or closed toe in variety. The gladiator style ones I have on are Massini brand. I like that they cover more of my foot than a sandal with only a few straps. They also have a small block heel, which I think makes them a little more dressy.

What do you think of these colors? Are they colors you would wear? Do you have pale yellow, this purply brown in your closet? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I am leaving you with a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photos and graphic Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Faded Denim, Orange Peel and Lark

I must give the creators at the Pantone Color Institute credit for coming up with interesting names for their colors. It is especially mind boggling when they have been doing it for so long. Coming up with new words to describe color has to be no easy task. The name Faded Denim is cute and evokes memories of well worn jean jackets and tattered jeans. Orange Peel, mmmm, can’t you just smell the juicy, citrusy goodness? A Lark is a type of bird and you can see a few images of one here. On seeing the images the color will make perfect sense. On to our outfit.

The Pantone version of Faded Denim is a more of a medium wash denim that has paled a bit from repetitive washing. I chose my light wash Christopher and Banks pop over chambray top, which is a bit lighter than the Pantone color, but it serves the purpose. I’ve used this top on the blog before. You can see how I styled it with white pants, and with a denim vest. Here is a picture without the sweater, which I’ll come back to.

This Lu La Roe maxi skirt has a fun multi-colored print that includes Orange Peel. I like a printed skirt like this because I can match it up with so many different colored tops or sweaters. Even in this situation where the top is not one of the colors in the skirt, it works because the light blue goes well with all of the other colors. You probably could do this with numerous other colors.

I found this Lark (or camel by any other name), colored sweater thrifting. It is Old Navy brand. It has a bit of a grunge vibe, which I like. I thought pairing it with this more dressed up skirt and top gave the look a cozy feel.

This chunky orange necklace was perfect for this outfit and the small little black clutch with heart appliques kept the whole look from being too overwhelming. Some times a big skirt and a big sweater and a big top with a big bag, just gets to be too much.

This black pair of peep toe shoeties from Clarks are so comfy and I like the zipper on the heel. They are very easy to get in and out of.

What do you think of Faded Denim and Orange Peel? Would you wear these colors? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments.

I’ve included a few shopping links, just for fun. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Graphic by Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Classic Blue, Chive and Navy Blazer

As usual, the names for the Pantone colors always amuse me. Classic Blue is pretty normal. Obviously, Chive makes me think of green onions and as you will see, the color is a pretty dark green. Navy Blazer is one of the classic colors and is your typical navy staple, which many of us have a piece or two in our closets. Since Classic Blue is the color of the year, I decided to start with it. The idea to combine it with Chive was a natural progression when I pulled out this thrifted summer midi dress.

This outfit centers around this thrifted OliviaRose dress that I got numerous years ago. Its pretty floral print combines blue, white and green a black background. I didn’t even have to think when I pulled this out of my closet. Classic Blue and Chive were the perfect pairing. An outfit like this really can be worn year round.

This bright blue scarf was gifted to me for Christmas and I used it to introduce the Pantone Color of the Year back in January. You can see that post here.

My faux suede blazer has a little more of a blue undertone than the Chive color, but I thought it was pretty close. This thrifted ISB Inc. blazer is meant to have a double breasted appearance when buttoned, but my figure right now will not allow for that. However, I think it looks just as nice left open since there are buttons on both sides.

You can see in the next picture how nicely the blazer fits through the back. I like that it is more fitted, rather than boxy. I was also trying something different with my hair.

This thrifted Simply Vera/Vera Wang bag has made multiple appearances on the blog as has my thrifted Relativity loafer heels.

I also added my sparkly Classic Blue bracelet, which was also a Christmas gift.

If you are not into wearing bold, bright colors, then these colors would be the perfect choice for you. You could easily make this pairing more summery by adding a white skirt or crop pants instead of the darker print dress. You could also wear head to toe white with a Chive colored blazer or sweater and just a few pops of Classic Blue jewelry. There are so many options, so never say never to any color.

Do you like these colors? How would you wear them? Is this the sort of outfit you would wear? If not, what kind of outfit would you put together? I would love to hear back from you. Things are a little lonely around here. Ha, ha. I am sure you all can relate. We really need the world to get back to something more normal, even if it is not perfect.

I hope you enjoyed this post everyone. Until next time. Stay safe and healthy.

Graphic by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links just for something to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Transitional Spring Outfit

Spring time in my area is a carousel ride of fluctuating temperatures and weather which makes getting dressed any given morning like playing the lottery. The best way I have found to adapt to these changeable days is to think layers. As opposed to winter layering that is full of heavy long sleeved tees and bulky sweaters, spring layering is more about lighter layers. Fabrics like cotton or cotton polyester blends are ideal for light layers and still give you mobility while keeping you warm.

Today’s outfit was what I wore on Saturday for our Easter celebration. I wanted something casual and comfortable, but still flexible enough to cook a big dinner and do all the clean up afterwards. I also wanted layers that would be warm, but not so warm I would be peeling them off when the oven was on cooking the turkey.

Transitional dressing usually means you are moving from one season to another and you are in between one wardrobe and another. The move from winter to spring in my area is usually still chilly and even downright cold. Rain, snow showers and wind are common place during the months of March, April and once in a rare while into May. Many people who have a capsule type wardrobe can have all of their clothes in their closet at one time. For those of us who are clothes horses, we need to move out the winter wardrobe and move in the summer wardrobe. I usually don’t do this until the weather is consistently above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold weather clothes spend much more time in my closet than my warm weather clothes, unfortunately. Ha ha.

In this outfit I am wearing two lightweight cotton long sleeve tees. The striped tee you can see is a.n.a. brand and was a purchase this past fall from JC Penney. They had a good sale on long sleeve tees and I bought a few. Underneath the striped tee is along sleeve thrifted light pink tee which is Old Navy brand.

My pretty floral kimono is David & Young brand and a DSW clearance find. Don’t be afraid to look at the accessory sections at different stores. You never know what you might find. The thing that drew me to this piece was the print, the colors and the tassels.

My jeans are Rock & Republic from Kohl’s. I have several pairs of these and love all of them. These are more stretchy and like jeggings rather than jeans. My other pairs are regular denim.

Once again, my chunky burgundy necklace is making an appearance. I love the way it looks with this outfit and I also love the print mix of this outfit. Stripes and florals are one of the easiest and most popular print mixes.

I thought these Spirit ankle boots were a good choice for this look. They are comfortable and yet stylish with a faux suede finish and low heel.

This Massini saddle bag was purchased from clearance at Meijer a while back. I’ve styled this with an outfit before on the blog. You can see that post here.

I hope you enjoyed this outfit. What do you wear to transition from winter to spring? Are you still wearing layers where you are, or is it warm? I’d love to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment below.

I hope you all are well and managing to stay healthy and mentally sound, which isn’t easy to do in these times we are in. I have good days and bad days, but we all need to give ourselves grace. These are difficult times, so set small goals and try to get outside.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. Thanks for stopping by the blog.

Styling an Easter Outfit Around a Scarf - Casual Look

Hi everyone. These are definitely disturbing times we are living in. I am so thankful for my faith in Jesus, my family and friends, and all of you lovely subscribers who are on this journey with me. I am not alone and neither are you. I hope that you are staying safe and healthy. Everyday there is another article in the news about the virus and the long term ramifications on our health, the state of health care in our country, or the world. It can be very scary and really blow our anxiety levels right through the roof, so please follow along for a little break from the bleakness. Follow me into the world of spring color.

I am not starting my Pantone series yet, but I do hope to work on that a little over the weekend. Things look a lot different around here as I am sure they do in your household as well. My older daughter, who is my photographer is trying to stay safe at home and is not venturing out much, and I totally respect that. Therefore, we will not be getting together for pictures for a little while. My younger daughter works and since her son is off school I see both of them several days a week, so we have contact. If you have the option of staying home and not having contact with other people, even your family, please do so. It is really best for everyone. For those of you who are helping your families with child care or in other ways, just be sure to wash hands, sanitize and try not to have too much up in your face contact (hard to do with babies and toddlers.)

As my title says, I decided to give you two spring outfits this week that would be perfect for the upcoming Easter weekend. I know most of us won’t be having our normal family gatherings, but whoever you are with you can still dress up and maybe Face Time or Skype with your other family members. My older daughter said her husband’s family is going to do a progressive dinner of sorts, where they each make something, divvy it into portions for each household and then deliver it to the rest of the families involved. Then when they are all back safe in their own homes they can have video dinner time together. What a great idea! I am not sure what our family will do, but even if you are in your own home with just your spouse, or another significant family member you can still celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and the hope that this current darkness will pass.

Today’s outfit centers around the pretty print scarf I got as a gift. A fiesta of feathery friends, and flowers adorns the light pink background on this long, rectangular piece. There are plenty of colors to choose from including several shades of blue, green and yellow. For this outfit I opted to focus on the blue, green and pink.

This St. John’s Bay utility jacket was my first utility piece. I had never had a utility jacket up until I bought this one at JCPenney I have these longer sleeves rolled up once and they actually came with tabs, so you could roll them up farther and button them. You can see how I styled this same jacket with a striped tee and a pair of distressed crop pants here.

My light pink pants are Christopher and Banks which I got on sale at the end of last season. These are very comfy and have good amount of stretch making it easier to move around. I was not really thinking about my hair in these pictures, so this is what you get. Ha, ha.

Here is a closer look at the scarf and you can also see my SO thrifted polka dot denim shirt. I thought it went well with the medium blue in the scarf.

Once again I went for my thrifted olive American Eagle hobo bag. I didn’t realize how closely it matches with my jacket.

I added this simple beaded bracelet for a pop of orange. I got this last summer at a street fair when we were visiting family.

It must be spring, because the bright blue thrifted Keds are back in the rotation! Ha, ha.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this colorful outfit. On Thursday, I’ll use the same scarf to show you a more dressy outfit.

What are you going to wear for Easter Day? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I hope you are all staying safe out there. Hugs and prayers for you all.

I’ve included a few shopping links. I know it is easy to shop from home, maybe a little too easy, but it is where we are at, so enjoy looking at these. These are affiliate links, which means when you click on a link I get a few cents. When you make a purchase through a link, I get a little more. I appreciate all your clicks and your comments.

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2019 - Fiesta & Princess Blue

Today’s Pantone outfit revolves around two, rich, party ready colors, called Fiesta and Princess Blue. Fiesta is another red on this spring’s palette, with a leaning towards orange undertones. This bright, cheerful red is perfect for pairing with this royal blue. We’ve had other versions of this royal blue color appear on multiple palettes over the last few years. You can see a few of my renditions and other names for this color by clicking on the links. Riverside Blue, Marina, Lapis Blue, Palace Blue, and Nebulas Blue. While each of these is not exactly the same as the other, you get the point.

I found this Popsugar Fiesta Red top at Kohl’s on the clearance rack. I was very excited, because all the the reds in my closet either lean more towards a purple/brown base - maroon/burgundy or towards a blue base - a truer red. This red definitely has more yellow undertones, which when you see it compares to other reds, makes it look more orange.

You’ve seen these Ruby Rd. pants on the blog many times. When I went through all of my pants, I thought about getting rid of these, but then realized I don’t have anything else in this exact color. They were a thrift find, when shopping a friend’s closet, and they fit pretty well and are made of a denim type fabric, so a perfect for more colorful looks. I just don’t think to grab them that often for everyday wear.

This Do Everything in Love, kimono is from DSW. I absolutely love this piece and when I saw the Fiesta Red top and Princess Blue pants next to it, I knew I was going to get my party on. This has so many amazing colors in it, so it will be useful for many outfits. This would look really cute with a white tee, and jean shorts, or a pair of crop pants with some fun sneakers.

Again, I kept my accessories simple, lest the outfit get too overwhelming. I thought the yellow flower pendant necklace a good choice to bring in the yellow in the kimono. The bag is a clearance find from Meijer and the gladiator sandals are Massini brand.

Do you have your toenails painted yet? I need to do that pretty soon. It’s lovely when you can go to a salon and get a manicure or a pedicure or both, but I don’t do my finger nails very often as they tend to chip and tear easily. I do try to paint my toes when the weather gets warm enough that I can put my flip flops on. It hasn’t warmed up quite to that point here, but my hubby and I are hoping to go on vacation next week and it will be warmer then.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like these colors and would you wear them? I love to have your feedback. If you have the time, leave a comment below. It helps me to know what you are thinking and as always, if you have any suggestions for the blog, I’d love to hear that as well.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Thank you for spending time on the blog. I appreciate all your input.

Have a great day.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen.

Print Mixing Mash Up - Plaid Bomber Jacket - Outfit 2

This second look featuring my plaid bomber jacket from Eden Fashion Boutique, might seem a tad overwhelming if you are new to print mixing. Some might say there is too much going on, but I think it works. In fact, it was this combination that inspired me to use the plaid bomber as a print mixer in the first place. Besides, why not get a little crazy once in a while!

When I saw this multi print tunic hanging in my closet, I thought this might be a good opportunity to get it out. This festive, colorful roz & Ali piece is a past purchase from dressbarn. I think of it as a party shirt. It seems so bright, cheery and happy, that it just wants to dance and party. That’s a little bit of a contrast to my more subdued, introverted nature, but it is good to get out of our comfort zones once in a while.

Pairing it with the plaid jacket, I let it hang around for a while and kept looking at it, wondering how I could make it work for this print mixing series. Then I remembered my thrifted, cobalt blue, Gloria Vanderbilt jeans.

You can see more of the details in this photo. The tunic has a lace up v-neck. Since there is already so much going on with the print, I opted for shorter necklaces in a more classic style. Rev it up and tone it down. I know some might go for bright beads in various lengths, but my objective with this outfit was to party, but party conservatively. That’s me in a nutshell. I don’t drink, but I do like to dance. I also liked the way the pearls and black cord on the choker, compliment the black and white stripes on the jacket.

Funny story about these cobalt shoes. I have had these shoes for a long time. I’ve worn them on the blog before with various outfits and I really like that they are so bright. The last time I remembered wearing them for the blog was summer of last year. My daughter and son-in-law were in the process of moving out of their apartment into a house and we had planned a shoot at the apartment complex so I could help do some packing. That was the last time I ever saw them (the shoes, not my daughter and son-in-law). I thought for sure, they had gotten thrown away in the chaos of helping to pack and purge at the apartment. I gave them up for lost, even though I searched my house all over thinking I may have just misplaced them when I got home to put things away after the shoot.

The other day when I was working on outfits for this series, I was going through shoe boxes looking for some of the pairs I had put away that were more spring/summery. Lo and behold there my shoes were in a box in my closet. Ha, ha, ha. Maybe I am starting to lose the plot, as my hubby likes to say. Dementia is highly likely with my family history, but I just pray I’ll be sweet!

This bag is another thrift store find. I like the style. Now, being a fashion blogger, I do have a few Pinterest boards, that I like to play with. I need to do more with those, but there are only so many hours in a day, as everyone of you know. However, I do have a board that is called Fashion Vocabulary and I put things on there like different types of bag styles, dress styles, skirt lengths, heel heights and so on. Anyway, I looked for the proper name for this bag and I would say that it is a hybrid between a doctor bag and a barrel bag. A true doctor bag style would have a metal frame connected to the opening. So now you know.

I personally feel, what makes this outfit work is the bright blue pants and shoes. Obviously, you could have done the same thing with black pants or a skirt, or orange. The solid color ties the two pieces together, and compliments the blues in each pieces.

What do you think? Am I helping you to get over your fear of print mixing? I certainly hope that these posts are inspiring you to think outside your fashion box.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links for you to have fun with. These are affiliate links. If you click on a link I get a few pennies. All opinions are my own.

Spring Transition - Striped Jacket

This last outfit in my Spring Transition series features a striped jacket that I got from Christopher & Banks. This jacket was one of the first purchases I made from Christopher & Banks after I became familiar with the retailer. The material is a heavy weight cotton, almost like a denim or canvas. This jacket makes me think of an old time train conductor's suit or hat. Actually, I think I used to have a hat that looked very similar to this pattern. 

The jacket has long sleeves that can be rolled up and kept in place with a snap tab. It has a full zipper and a thick collar that can be stood up and kept in place with drawstrings. This makes the jacket a great piece for a cool summer evening outing as you can lengthen the sleeves and zip it up all the way, to keep yourself a bit cozier. 

i am not sure why these jeans are so wrinkly. These are ANA brand. A dark wash skinny ankle jean is a great piece to transition to the warmer weather. In fact, when the heat goes up, I just turn up a pair of pants like these to form a cuff and have a pair of crop pants. 

This red tee has 3/4 length sleeves and a lace up v-neck. The lacing makes for a fun added detail. I found this Chaps tee on the clearance rack at Kohl's. 

For shoes I chose my SO floral flats. Yes, I have three pairs of these fun and comfy shoes. They are great to wear with jeans, skirts and would probably be cute with shorts. Here is a link for the same flats, but in different colors. I have fairly narrow feet and they fit me perfectly. 

I chose my green Style & Co. bag, just because the shoes have a little bit of green in them. I added the blue fringe dangle to add a little bit of fun to an otherwise plain bag. 

To add a little bit of jewelry, I threw on a couple bracelets. 

This is a very casual outfit and you could easily put your own version of this together with your own jeans, tee, jacket and shoes. You could even use a pair of fun sneakers like Keds, Converse or Vans, if you don't like the ballerina flat option. If you like a little more color, you could use a hand bag that has a bright, fun pattern or a jacket with a floral pattern. This is easily an outfit that you can put together from things you already have in your closet. 

Let me know what you think. What would your version of this outfit include? I love hearing your thoughts.

This is a late post today. My hubby and I just got back from our vacation late last night and I spent most of the day trying to restock the fridge, unpack and, of course, I had to pick up my Grandson from school. It was his last day, so summer officially has begun.

I hope this post finds you well. Until next time, thanks for stopping by the blog. 

Spring Transition - Floral Dress

When dressing for spring in the mid-west, one must think in terms of layers. Either the layers need to be in the form of things like jackets or sweaters that can be taken off, or they need to be in the form of light weight fabrics that will be easy to wear even as the day warms up. My first two posts in this series centered around outfits with jackets. The first was a light weight quilted jacket from Christopher and Banks. You can see that post here. The second used a light weight bomber jacket for the top layer. You can see that post here. 

For this post, I am leaving the jackets behind and wearing a light weight, long sleeve floral tunic. The dress/tunic is from H & M, but I found it in a thrift store. I love the navy blue back ground and the orange, blush and light blue print. I am pairing the tunic with my pumpkin orange pants from JC Penney. I wore my same blue SO flats that I wore in my Outfit Inspiration post from last Thursday. For jewelry I kept it minimal since the top is so busy. I'm wearing a beaded choker. My bag is from Kohl's last summer season. A large woven tote, it is perfect for the beach or for travel, when you want to throw in a book or magazine. 

When the weather warms up just leave the pants behind and throw on a pair of flip flops and use this as a swimsuit cover up. I could also see this paired with white cropped pants and a pair of Keds or Converse sneakers. There are lots of options when you have a dress/tunic like this and it will cross seasons. I'm sure I will be wearing this often. 

Would you wear a piece like this? Do you have a dress in your closet that you are not sure how to wear? Try thinking outside the box, by pairing it with jeans or leggings. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. 

I've included a few shopping links for other pretty tunic type dresses. This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. 

Spring Transition - Bomber Jacket Outfit

Last week, I started a series on transitional outfits that take us from winter to spring to summer. Last week's post featured a red jacket worn with a graphic tee, bootcut jeans and peep toe sandals. You can see that post here.

What exactly makes an outfit transitional? An outfit becomes transitional when it crosses over one season to the next or when it takes you from a daytime work wear look, to a night time date look. Usually, an outfit that transitions will incorporate different layers and things that can be taken off or swapped out easily for a different look. 

For today's look I chose another outfit from a Chico's catalogue that inspired me. This look centers around a summery dress, worn like a tunic over leggings, topped by a bomber jacket. 

I've styled this Simply Vera dress before on the blog, when we went to Florida, last December. You can see that post here. I found this cute piece on the clearance rack at Kohl's a few season's back. Here, and here are few cute styles for this season. 

This black bomber I picked up somewhere and I don't remember where! Ha, ha. It is an off brand, but I'll provide a few shopping links for jackets, bags and shoes at the end. 

These black leggings became mine, when I shopped a friend's closet. They are super comfy and thick, but not too thick. I am more inclined to wear leggings at this transitional time, as they are warm, but not overly warm. 

I chose my purply blue agate pendant necklace. I received this as a gift and it is one of my favorite pendant necklaces to wear because of its unique color and shape. Here are some very pretty options from an Etsy seller. i might need to buy myself another one, or two!

For my bag I chose this beauty that I've featured before on the blog. I really love the color and the texture of this pretty clutch, that my younger daughter gave me. It also has a strap so I can wear it as a cross body bag. It goes perfectly with the bluish green in the dress. 

I'm loving these peep toe shoeties from Clarks. They are not only cute, but comfy and the zipper up the back makes them pretty easy to get on and off. 

Here's a look at the outfit without the jacket. If it gets too warm, just take the jacket off and you have a light weight sleeveless dress. If it got real warm, you could take the leggings off as well. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. Do you have any light weight summer dresses that you are dying to wear, but don't feel that it is quite warm enough yet. This is the perfect way to extend the wearability of those pretty summer styles and still be warm and comfy. 

Thanks for stopping by the blog. Leave me some love and don't forget to check out my Instagram and Pinterest pages. 

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull. Make up Rachel Christensen. 

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, I get a few cents. If you purchase something through my site, I get a small commission. All opinions are my own. 

Tuesday linking up with Catherine of Not Dressed as Lamb, Jess of Elegantly Dressed and Stylish and Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge. Thursday linking up with Jacqui of Mummabstylish.  Friday linking up with Nancy of Nancy's Fashion Style.