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!

Yellow Hooded Vest and a Shout Out to Tommy John

It finally feels like real winter here in the midwest. We had a few inches of snow over the weekend, and I was very excited. Being from Buffalo, NY, I miss the snow that we typically get back home. There is just something fun and cozy about watching the snow fall from inside a warm, comfortable place. However, a substantial snowfall is rare in my area and in just a few days we will be getting a dose of bitter cold. All the more reason to layer up.

I was contacted a few months ago by the Tommy John company, who asked if I would like to pick out a set monetary amount of product in exchange for a mention on my blog. No money was exchanged and all opinions are my own. I selected three pieces: a cami, a pair of underwear and a pair of socks.

Let me start by saying no underwear will be shown in this post, ha, ha. Although, you will see the socks. Tommy John was not looking for a model, but for a real person to try their product and give an honest review. I did wear the pieces under my outfit that I will be showing you and I am pleased to say, I love their products. The cami and panties are made of a soft, light weight cotton blend that does not bind or pinch. The cami is extra long, so it can be worn tucked in without fear of it untucking. The panties are smooth and won’t leave panty lines under your tighter fitting pants or skirts. The socks are thick and soft. I chose to use them as a pair of boot socks since I was wearing boots.

I got this yellow vest from my daughter for Christmas. It is a great piece with a faux fur lining and a zip off hood. It is very warm for those days when you want to do some shopping and don’t want to wear a full coat for running into the store.

In keeping with my love of layers I started with my Tommy John cami, followed by a Chico’s turtleneck, and a thrifted long sleeve button up. I wanted a completely casual look, so left the button up untucked and wore my distressed jeans.

My yellow bag was a recent thrift find. I like a light weight cross body bag and this one fits the bill. It is made a a nylon material and has serval pockets. It also has a wider strap which helps keep the neck and shoulders from getting kinks in them.

You can see the vest has pockets and toggles to make it tighter or looser. The hood is nice too and also lined with the same faux fur as the rest of the vest.

The button up top is busy enough on its own, but I did add this fringe pendant necklace just for fun.

The boots I chose to wear are my brown Sonoma biker boots. These are a mid-calf boot with a wider shaft so are great for tucking in, but also work perfectly under a boot cut jean.

These are the socks I picked out from Tommy John.

If you are looking for quality made socks and underclothing, be sure to check out Tommy John. The price points are rather high, but if you hit a sale or have a special coupon, it is worth it.

I hope you liked today’s outfit. I’ve included a few links for vests and biker boots. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Have a great day.