Spring Colors: Rose Quartz, Serenity and Iced Coffee

in , , , ,

Today I am stylin' rose quartz, serenity and iced coffee. My color palate is usually darker or brighter colors, but for the sake of showing off the Pantone color line, I paired this rose quartz blouse with a leopard print skirt. You might say the skirt whispers the iced coffee in its spots. I then added gold jewelry with just a hint of serenity in the form of bracelets and a necklace. The simple clutch is charcoal gray with gold trim.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Trumbull, Makeup by Rachel Christensen

I like the clean look of black hose and black pumps with this outfit. It makes the outfit perfect for a night out with my hubby, a spring wedding or Easter morning church service. 

Find the Look:

Top Ideas - Kohl's $30, Loft $59.50

Skirt Ideas - Macy's $49.50, Kohl's $36

Clutch Ideas - Kohl's $40, Lord & Taylor $48

Shoe Ideas - Kohl's $54.99, DSW $29.95

Jewelry Ideas - Kohl's Necklace $28, Etsy Bracelet $15

I hope you enjoyed viewing this outfit. If you follow me on a regular basis, I would love for you to show me your Spring outfit ideas. Find a light pink top in your closet and pair it with those crop pants you just picked up at the store. I'd love it if you picked colors from Pantone's Spring color line up, but any Spring outfit would be fine. Send me a pic on Facebook, or to my email and if I get a few pictures I'll post them on the Sylin' Granny Mama Facebook page.

Now for our next Closet Clean Out Tip.

 

Closet Clean Out - Tip 4 - Pants:

You might feel that I am being repetitive, but that is because I am. A huge part of cleaning is organizing. If you already have a system in place then you may not need much incentive to get your closet in ship shape. But many of us, just need a plan. I have found, for me, the best plan involves organizing as I clean. 

I have my pants separated by style. I keep my pants folded in a bureau of sorts, but you may hang yours. I put my skinny leg jeans together in one cubicle; my boot cut or straight leg jeans in another cubicle, and dress pants in a third cubicle. Several years ago, I went through all of my pants. I tried on every single pair and got rid of many that didn't fit, or that I had a, "What was I thinking," response when I looked in the mirror.

Jeans and slacks should compliment, not draw attention to. Now, the world of pop and movie stars may disagree, but an actual woman wants to look nice, put together and once in a while sexy. A good fit will either lift and define or skim, depending on the look you are going for. If you have pants in your closet that make your thighs look like bumpy sausages, then put them in the donation box. Work pants should be appropriate for your job. I can wear many things because I work at a university bookstore, but we do have a dress code. If I wear leggings I have to wear a top or tunic that covers my behind (which is the only way I will wear leggings). I am sorry ladies, but leggings that look like skin may be comfortable, but they are not appropriate out in public. Do you really want everyone to know every curve of your bootie, where nothing is left to the imagination? If you want to be comfy that's great, but at least consider wearing something that covers.

As you go through your pants think about, where will I wear these? How many pairs of boot cut, straight leg and skinny jeans do I need to have? How many pairs of dress pants do I  need to own? Think about colors as well. Will you really wear all seven pairs of pink crop pants or would one or two be enough? 

Believe me, ladies, I am preaching to the choir. I love to shop and I am continuously paring down my closet. My method to the madness is if I go shopping and buy four things, I try to get rid of four items in my closet. It doesn't have to be match for match, skirt for skirt, but no less than four items. 

I hope these tips are helpful and that you are getting a great feeling of satisfaction as you clean and organize. 

Next week, Spring Outfit Number 4 and more Closet Clean Out tips. Enjoy your Easter!

Spring Colors: Serenity, Buttercup and Iced Coffee

in , , , ,

Here we are! Ready for Spring! I just can't wait for warmer weather. While I am waiting I thought I would try on some of Pantone's Spring color choices.

My outfit this week emphasizes Serenity. It is the perfect name for this light blue that reminds us of warm, sunny days and gentle breezes. 

The light denim button up (similar here) is very close to the Serenity hue. Once again, I am layering and put the top over a summer dress (see Lord and Taylor version) that feels like a tee shirt. Underneath I have a pair of leggings that hit just about mid calf. The leggings are close to Pantone's Snorkel Blue. The outfit would be great without the leggings too. I opted for leggings as I currently have bad varicose veins. The boots (similar from DSW) and clutch (similar here), as well as the belt (seen below) are as close as I could get to Iced Coffee with what was in my closet. My choices really have more of a carmel edge than the Pantone color, but you get the point.

For my accessories I chose the color Buttercup. The vibrant yellow pulls in the yellow on the dress and adds a pop of sunshine to the outfit (Etsy option). Below you can see it all put together!

My hubby liked this outfit! Which says a lot! It would be great with sandals or flip flops for a causal beach vibe as well. 

I hope you enjoyed this week's post. Be sure to check in next week for another Pantone inspired Spring outfit! And keep reading for this week's Closet Clean Out tip!

Closet Clean Out - Tip 2 - Trim the Socks and Underwear

Have you ever noticed how full your sock and underwear drawer are? I have a drawer for socks and a drawer for underwear? Why? I mean I only wear one pair of socks per day and one pair of underwear. If I do laundry once a week that would mean I should potentially have seven pairs of socks and seven pairs of underwear. Heck, I could fit them all in the same drawer. But I don't! I have a whole drawer dedicated to socks and a whole drawer dedicated to underwear.

Okay, I get the need or let's say want, to have a variety of underwear. Casual, comfy, pretty, sexy, cotton, polyester blends, various colors, bikinis, boy cut, on and on the list goes, but a whole drawer? So let's trim down.

Dump out the underwear drawer and immediately discard anything with holes, fraying rubber, torn lace and so on. Next get rid of anything you cannot fit into, or that you do not deem comfortable enough to wear for more than a few hours. Of course it is okay to keep a few sexy items that might only stay on for a few minutes, but get your spouse/partner's input for what they like. The majority of us are wearing those items for them, not for ourselves. I know there are exceptions and many of you may like a lacy thong as your go to underwear. You decide what you want to keep....same rule as last week...try to get rid of ten items.

This goes for bras as well. Some of you girls collect bras like others collect purses or shoes. Do your self a favor, get rid of those ones you cannot wait to take off! If you have a little (or a lot) of excess weight like I do, buy a few new bras that have larger back straps that help smooth out and conceal bulges. Don't buy bras off the clearance racks unless you try them on. And don't be too proud to step up a size. For years I was a 36 B, now I get a 38 C, not because I am so much bigger in the cup, but because they fit better all the way around.

Once you have gotten rid of those items you no longer want, spend a few minutes deciding on a way to organize and keep your items looking neat and easily accessible. Bras really should be kept so the cups are out, not squashed together, which leads to wrinkles and pock marks in the cup area. A bra is supposed to make you look smooth, not like your boobs have indentations and bulges. Underwear is a little more versatile, so feel free to roll, fold, or toss, if that is your preferred method of organization. 

Use the same method for your socks. Dump out your drawer and get rid of any socks with holes. If you have two pairs of sock that are exactly the same and only one pair has a hole, keep the one sock without holes for a replacement for the other pair when one of them gets worn. Sort through your styles and colors. Obviously in the winter you will want a few pairs of thicker boot socks. In the summer you may only use a few no-show socks and the rest of the time be in sandals. Also, think about the colors of socks you have. I usually pair my sock color with my pant color, so most of the socks I wear are blue, because I am a jeans kind of girl. I seriously do not know why I have so many other colored socks. Maybe I am saving them to make sock puppets with my Grandson! Seriously, get rid of what you don't use.

Here you will see a few links for organizers that look cool. Personally, I do not have anything in place yet, but I am hopeful that someday utopia will be reached in my home and I will be organized.

Next time we will talk about dresses and skirts! Stay tuned!

 

*All Photos By Rebecca Trumbull, Makeup By Rachel Christensen