Pantone Spring/Summer 2026 - New York Palette: Muskmelon, Marina, and Sage Green

Hi everyone! It is time for another Pantone color series. If you are new to my blog, every spring and every fall the Pantone Color Institute comes out with a palette of colors for the coming season. Due to life being relentless, I usually don’t cover these colors until we are well into the spring and/or fall season, but I have had many of you tell me that you enjoy this series, so I decided to just keep doing it even if I am a bit behind.

Instead of trying to put together the colors on the palette by my own choices I made it easy on myself and simply went down the column of colors on the Pinterest pin which you can see here. As you can see in the first column we have today’s colors: Muskmelon, Marina and Sage Green. As per usual the first ten colors on the palette are the new colors for the season and the last six are the classic colors. Both the New York and the London palette contain a color named White Onyx, which I may or may not include in an outfit or two. I feel that white is a personal choice when it comes to fashion. Some women look better in cream, others look better in a crisp white, so I leave the whites for you to decide.

Style Tip: You can easily add white, in whatever variation you like to wear, to an outfit in the form of a bag, beads, a scarf, or a pair of sandals or sneakers.

Let’s start with this pretty Muskmelon orange. It is not pink, but also not as orange as an orange would be. I think this one has been named appropriately. I chose my Natural Reflections flannel shirt from Bass Pro Shops, due to the color and the cozy factor. It might say spring on the calendar, but in my area spring is here one day and gone the next. Right now Bass Pro has a number of flannel shirts on clearance. It is a good time to stock up. See more here. Kohl’s is also having a good clearance sale right now, so check them out too.

For the Marina blue, I decided to use these thrifted Sidefeel jeans. These have a wider leg, and a bit of stretch, which makes them comfortable, but also a tad bit dressier. I had never heard of this brand before, but if you click on the link you can check out their website. I know nothing about where their products are manufactured, but I get a feel they are a fast fashion retailer due to the low pricing and the statement that they purchase their items “in bulk.” I prefer to stay away from the fast fashion manufacturers and retailers, but I am also a thrifter, so I feel there are plenty of gently used items that need a new home. However, I realize not everyone wants to thrift and everyone also needs to buy according to their own budget.

For my Sage Green color I chose this thrifted Jenny Buchanan quilted jacket. I love this piece, and it is reversible, so it can be worn with the sage green out or switch it and it will be a pretty forest green. My biggest complaint about this piece is that it doesn’t have pockets. Ha, ha. Here is a very pretty quilted jacket from Kohl’s, not in the same color, but a fun piece.

I felt there was enough going on in the outfit between the plaid and the quilting on the jacket that I didn’t need to overdo the accessories. My second hand Tignanello bag was like a brighter version of the Marina blue.

My jewelry was all over the place as far as the blue color was concerned and I almost feel I should have went with something orange to bring out more of the Muskmelon color, like a scarf, but I didn’t have anything that was close to that color. It is obvious my bracelets were too much of a purple color. Oh well. :)

My booties were a thrift purchase last spring and I haven’t really worn them, but they are so cute. They are Merona brand and actually wool. I love the wedge heel. I am also amazed that they are as comfortable as they are. I need to remember these next fall to wear with skirts.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have any of these in your closet?

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have a moment leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear from you and your feedback helps keep my blog alive.

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Have a great day.

November Styles - Flannel, Denim and Fur

For the month of November, I decided to take a closer look at some of the prints, colors, and textures that are trending this fall. It is hard to slow down and not let our minds go straight from Halloween to Christmas, but I want to take a deep breath and just enjoy fall before winter sets in. We’ll have time for holiday vibes in a few weeks, but for now just sit back and enjoy the changing leaves as they begin their descent to the ground, and savor the scents and tastes that come back around this time of year, like cider, pumpkin, and the outdoor smells of the changing season.

For today’s outfit I am drawing on three pieces of inspiration from a few of the fashion gurus on what was trending for Autumn 2025: earthy plaids, full skirts and luxuriously textured outerwear.

Plaid always comes around for fall, at least in my closet it does. I love my flannel shirts, my wool blazers and my plaid pants and skirts. This year plaid is back in earthy browns and rusts on the runway. See this article from Glamour. I guess you could say I was going for the Town and Country Chic vibe with this outfit.

For this look, I started with the plaid, flannel shirt. It is a men’s Croft & Barrow shirt from Kohl’s. It actually belonged to my hubby, but he never wore it, so I confiscated it. Ha, ha. I love flannel, oversized shirts and while this one is not very feminine, I enjoyed the challenge of making it into a more feminine look by adding the skirt. The shirt has both the dark, earthy brown and the dark blue, so it seemed perfect for the look I was trying to achieve. I also added the silver and brown beaded necklace for a little extra femininity.

My dark wash denim skirt was a thrift find a few years ago. It is a Liz Claiborne - Liz Sport piece. What’s not to love about this full, midi length skirt? It even has pockets. It is a medium weight so easily wearable all year round, and perfectly twirl worthy. You can see this piece styled previously on the blog with a fair isle sweater, and with an olive military jacket.

My Emma James, (an older offshoot of Liz Claiborne) faux fur and faux suede coat is another second hand find. I nabbed this one four years ago as soon as I found it and tried it on. I love the way these types of jackets can be used dressed up or down and the neutral color means it can go with anything. You can see another outfit I wore this coat with here.

I kept my accessories minimal to keep the focus on the outfit. My b.o.c. bag was a hand me over from my best girlfriend in NY. She is an avid thrifter too, and always finds great things, some of which she passes my way.

My boots are thrifted. I find a lot of boots at second hand stores when I am not looking for boots. Right now I am looking for a few new pairs of combat boots and do you think I can finding anything second hand? Nope! I also haven’t been thrifting in a while so that might be another reason. Ha. ha. These are a brand called XOXO. The are faux leather, but still look pretty good so they were a good find. Apparently, you can find this brand on Amazon.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think I hit the Town and Country vibe? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. I always appreciate your interactions with my little blog.

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Have a great week!

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.

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Have a great week everyone!