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.

Spring Outfit with Orange Pants

Just like I did for the blue pants, I wanted to show you a new outfit with my Worthington orange pants. For this one I focused on a work appropriate look. With many people finally returning to their jobs I thought it would be a good time to feature an outfit that would be perfect for the office, especially as air conditioners come back on.

I wish I would have thought to get close up of the details on this thrifted Maurices vest. I snatched it up, because I don’t have any summer weight white vests and I thought the eyelet detail and the texturing on the pockets made this such a unique piece. It has the utility vibe with the patch pockets and drawstring, but is dressier.

You can also see my H&M button down top. I found this one on the clearance rack a few years ago and just loved the botanical print with its flowers, butterflies and birds. I thought tying the front shirt tails made for a more summery look, but one that remains work appropriate. I also like the soft contrast between the stark white of the vest and the more off white of the blouse.

I added a double layered purple necklace and a few purple metal bangles to pull out the purple in the top.

I opted for more neutral shoes and bag. I thought the outfit had enough color with the bright orange pants and the flora print in the top. The neutral accessories give it not only a summer feel, but a polished and professional look. If I ever go back to an office job, I would definitely wear this. My bag you have seen on the blog before and is from Walmart and George brand. My perforated peep toe sandals are Sonoma brand from Kohl’s.

I was pleased with how this outfit turned out. What do you think? Would you wear something like this to work? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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

Have a great day, everyone and thanks for following along on the blog.

Spring Outfit with Bright Blue Pants

I thought I would come up with another outfit using my thrifted, bright blue, Ruby Rd. pants, since I was just talking about them on Tuesday. It was a beautiful day, so I managed to snap a few pictures for this post. They are never as good as my daughter’s pictures, but that is okay. This is real life, right? I never want to come across to you all as having it all together. There are so many bloggers and people who post on Instagram and it is easy to feel like we don’t measure up to their fabulous outfits, looks, or homes, but I know reality. It is messy, hard, busy and many times overwhelming. So I am trying to be as real as possible and not so great pictures are my reality, and so is my wide bottom. Ha, ha.

I wanted to create a look that was casual with just a touch of sass. My Star Wars tee belonged to my oldest daughter and she didn’t want it any more. I’m all for fun graphic tees and certainly am a Star Wars fan. I am actually a bigger Star Trek fan, but Star Wars is a close second.

Funny story about my thrifted silver belt. I chose the silver belt and my silver SO ballerina flats to jazz the look up a little bit, and it went with the silver lettering on the tee. When I went to pull the belt through the first belt loop a ton of the silver flaked off. I had silver dust all over my pants and my rug. Needless to say, I threw the belt in the trash when I was done with the pictures. I was disappointed, as I had great plans for that belt. Oh well, like I said, real life.

I’ve styled this thrifted, white, Sanctuary, jean jacket one other time on the blog. You can see how I styled it with a leopard print skirt. This jacket is not truly denim, it is a thicker cotton material, but doesn’t have the same characteristics of denim. However, I really like it and it is a good piece for the warmer weather and something different from the traditional jean jacket.

I didn’t take a picture of my little silver clutch, but you have seen it on the blog before. I chose it because it went with the belt and shoes. I do like things to match, but it is okay to not have things match as well. Many of our old fashion rules have gone by the wayside. I always go back to the idea, do what is best for you. If you like things to match, then make them match. If you want to wear purple shoes, carry a red bag and wear a green belt, you go girl! As bloggers, we are only here to give you inspiration, not tell you how you have to dress.

I want to know if you have gotten yourself a pair of bright blue pants? Ha, ha. Actually, they are a little hard to find, but if you thrift shop, be sure to check there. Thrift stores will often have loads of brightly colored pants, because they are no longer trending.

I hope you enjoyed this post and one more idea on how to style those bright blue pants.

I’m including a few shopping links just for fun. These are affiliate links brought to you at no added cost. If you click on a link I get a few cents. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - New York Palette: French Blue, Cerulean and Buttercream

Today’s three color combo is the last of the Pantone Spring/Summer New York Palette. I am going to take a week off, as I hope to go visit my mom next week. In due time, I will proceed with the London Palette, but I haven’t even begun to pick out outfits. Breaking my wrist has really thrown a wrench into the works, so bear with me. I got my second Covid shot yesterday, so getting up this morning was grueling. I got the shot in my left arm, figuring it already hurts and I wanted my right arm to remain relatively pain free. I say relatively because there is some pain in my wrist and rib cage on that side, from having to do all the work. This is making me see how much I need to get back to exercising, especially weight lifting and walking since I have osteoporosis. We ladies need to take of them bones, and all the other parts as well. Ha, ha.

I thought it would be fun to pair these two blues, for a fun, casual summer look. Adding the off white of buttercream gives the outfit that perfect warm weather vibe. I kept my accessories casual to add to the picnic ready style. This would be a great outfit for a Fourth of July get together, just add some red jewelry or a bag.

French Blue and Cerulean are two cool colors that make me think of blue skies and water. I found this French blue plaid shirt while thrifting. I really like this medium blue for spring and summer, as opposed to a dark blue like navy. This button down is Faded Glory brand.

My Buttercream ankle pants have made an appearance on the blog before. These were thrifted St. John’s Bay. You can see these styled for two other Pantone series. This one is styled with a yellow button down and this with my Chevron print dress.

Cerulean is a different light blue. I like the sky blue feel of this color, yet it leans towards a bit more pastel. My top is a thrifted Ralph Lauren piece. I like that it has a lining that is similar t-shirt type material to the outside. It has a fun faux lace texture to it.

I kept my accessories simple. This thrifted French Blue bag was a recent find and I had to grab it since it matched the color perfectly. This is a nice small bag for carrying just the essentials.

My pendant necklace had little flecks of all the colors. I have been on the search for more of these large beads with the hole in the middle. It is so easy to make a necklace out of them.

Lastly, my thrifted Keds finally fit the Pantone color. Cerulean is the right name for these sneakers that are great for warm weather outfits.

What do you think of these colors? Do you have these blues in your closet? What about Buttercream? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’d also love to hear which of these colors you would put together to make an outfit.

I hope you have enjoyed this look at the Pantone Spring/Summer 2021 New York Palette colors.

I am including a few shopping links, so be sure to check those out. These are affiliate links. I get a few pennies when you click on a link, so I appreciate all the clicks.

Photo credit and graphic Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - Raspberry Sorbet, Mint and Willow

Today’s Pantone outfit revolves around a tantalizing pink, a refreshing green and another earthy color reminiscent of the weeping willow trees that hug the banks of lakes and streams. Raspberry Sorbet, Mint and Willow combine in an outfit that is both sleek, colorful and casual.

When I think of the color mint, I am more inclined to think of the light Green Ash color from Tuesday’s post. I guess my rendering of mint is based more on ice cream and Christmas candies than it is the actual plant. The mint plant is a bright, living green, so I think the Pantone color is much truer to the natural source. My Mint green top is a thrifted Falls Creek piece. I wore it for this shoot and then I got rid of it. It has been hanging in my closet for a while and I wasn’t certain, why I didn’t reach for it more often. After putting it on, I just didn’t like how stiff the fabric was. I’m all for structured pieces, but a piece has to move with me for me to want to wear it.

My camouflage pants, also Falls Creek, are a recent clearance find from Meijer. They are light weight, so good for summer. Unlike some camo that is more green, these tend towards more brown and gray. The Willow color is in there as you can see in the following picture. Willow was hard color to find. Most of my pieces are more olive green and Willow has more of a brown undertone.

Instead of choosing another clothing piece for the Raspberry Sorbet color, I opted to include it in my accessories. My necklace, bracelets, and the Vera Bradley tote were the perfect pop of this bright, saturated pink.

I went for my silver SO flats to tie in with the silver chains on the necklaces.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Do you have the color Willow in your closet? I love to hear back from you, so leave a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to peruse. These links are brought to you at no cost, but using them to purchase something gives me a few pennies as a kick back. I appreciate all your support. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - NY Palette - Amethyst Orchid, Green Ash and Inkwell

Today’s combination of Pantone colors from the New York palette is a study in contrasts. The dark, moody blue of Inkwell, which mimics a night sky is a type of color disparity when side by side with the pale pastel of Green Ash. When I pair colors I often go for bold with bold, or light with light, but I wanted to experiment by creating an outfit with an eye catching difference in color. The addition of Amethyst Orchid gives the perfect compliment of medium purple color.

Let me start the outfit details by talking about this recently thrifted tee. I love the bold flower on the front and purple has long been a favorite color of mine, so I was glad it was on the palette. This tee is St. John’s Bay brand. The darker inner petals are actually separate pieces of material, which gives the tee added dimension.

To go along with the Amethyst Orchid color in the tee, I also added this recently thrifted scarf. I love the large gingham pattern. It was the perfect accompaniment to the whole look. Another interesting feature of this scarf is the ruching of elastic throughout its length adding texture.

These thrifted, Inkwell pants are a brand called Hydrant. A dark pant like this is great for making our lower halves look longer and slimmer. I really like these, but they are a lint magnate. Wearing them with a fuzzy sweater like this is probably not the best idea. Ha, ha. You can also see I added a wider, olive belt since belts are trending and did my usual front tuck.

My fuzzy Green Ash sweater might be a little light, but it is pretty close to the Pantone color. This was a Christopher and Banks purchase last year. Before I bought this piece I had very little of this color in my wardrobe. I have picked up a few things since then. It is a pretty pastel color to wear, especially in the spring and summer. I really like how well it goes with the Amethyst Orchid color.

I decided to go with white for my shoes and bag. White is definitely a go to in the warmer months. My white Keds will be on repeat. My white shoulder bag is a new thrift find. I have been searching for a different white bag and this one has plenty of room and can also be worn as a cross body bag. This is a brand called Bueno.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear a light pastel with a dark color like navy or black? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.

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

Photo and graphic Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - NY Palette - Illuminating, Rust and Ultimate Gray

I wanted to share this outfit with you first, because it contains the two colors that were chosen by the Pantone Color Institute as the colors of the year. Illuminating is a bright, sunny yellow. Pantone describes this yellow as, “Friendly and joyful, an optimistic yellow offering the promise of a sunny day.” Rust is typically a fall color, yet it is an earth tone, thus its inclusion in the spring palette. Ultimate Gray is a classic and comfortable gray that everyone can wear.

I have plenty of yellow in my closet. It is a color that has quickly become a favorite. I love the many different shades of yellow. I have mustard, sunflower, lemon, blonde and pineapple. Look up shades of yellow in your search bar and see all the fun names they give for these lovely pieces of sunshine. Illuminating is not really a different shade, but a different name for a shade that might also be called bumblebee, butter or dandelion.

Since I love the color so much, it was a no brainer that I add this thrifted, bright yellow, denim jacket to my closet. This is a brand called d & co, or denim and company. When I looked it up, it is a brand that is sold at retailers like QVC, Walmart and others. I like the relaxed style of this piece, as well as the 3/4 sleeves. It will be a great topper for cooler summer days.

We were back at the Toledo Botanical Gardens for pictures and things are starting to bloom over there. This tree was gorgeous and I had no idea what is was because the blooms were so big. It turned out to be a white magnolia. I grew up with a pink magnolia in my parents’ yard. I didn’t even know there were white ones.

You’ve seen my boho skirt on the blog before. I looked at other Rust colored options in my closet, but just wasn’t satisfied with how the outfit looked. Choosing this skirt not only gave me a print, but the perfect blend of classic and bohemian. This skirt is a brand called Notations, but I can’t remember where I got it. Ha, ha. You can see it styled with a green top and a different gray top.

This simple Ultimate Gray tee is from Kohl’s and is SO brand. I got this one and a red one a few years ago. I love that they are light weight, but still provide coverage. The hemline is a straight cut and the length is shorter, so perfect for wearing out. I did the front tuck, just for a more polished look.

When I was rummaging through my necklaces, I saw this one and thought it would pull in both the rusty oranges in the skirt and the yellow of the jacket and bag. To go with the coppery colors I also put on my thrifted beaded bracelet. My yellow diamond patterned tote was a fun find at a thrift store. Another thrift store find, my ID Required combat boots get plenty of wear.

What do you think of these colors? Would you wear rust in the summer time or do you think it is a color strictly for fall? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me some love in the comments. Your comments keep me motivated to keep providing content to you all.

I’m providing a few shopping links for you to look over in your spare time. These are affiliate links brought to you at no cost. When you click on a link, I get a few pennies, so I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.

Photo and graphic Rebecca Trumbull.

Pantone - Spring/Summer - 2021 - New York Palette: Introduction

I am a bit behind on the Pantone colors this year. I had a hard time getting back into the swing of regularly posting, but here I am. While we are a few weeks into spring, the Pantone colors for this season are for spring and summer. I don’t pay attention too much to their time table, because they already have the colors out for the fall/winter season. Who wants to think about fall/winter when we have barely made it into spring? Ha, ha.

Just as a quick review, the Pantone Color Institute is an entity that provides the color trends for both the fashion and interior design industries. If you go to their website you can see all sorts of information from color swatches you can order to educational opportunities. Obviously, these are not the only colors that you see trending on the runways, but Pantone is easily considered a color authority by both design areas.

Every year, Pantone chooses a color of the year. Last year it was Classic Blue. In 2019 it was Living Coral. This year they picked two colors, Illuminating, a sunny yellow and Ultimate Gray, which is a classic medium gray. Typically, the colors of the year are seen on both the New York and the London Palettes. As I have done in the past I will be starting my series with the New York Palette. This year, the palettes are quite dissimilar, which makes it more interesting for me, as I pick out outfits and for you, my lovely subscribers.

Here is the New York Palette.

This is a mix of jewel tones and pastels, so if you lean towards one or the other, this palette will make everyone happy. Rust is a different color for summer, but I think it can work well with many of the others colors. Once again there is a selection of classic colors, which to me are helpful if you want to tone down an outfit and just accent with the brighter colors through jewelry and other accessories.

The following are a few photos from our shoot which give you some sneak peeks at how I combined these colors.

I hope you will join me on Thursday as I start the series. Have a great day!

Photo and graphic credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Lady with a Twist

Today’s final Spring/Summer 2021 Trend is called Lady with a Twist. The idea behind this trend is taking classic feminine workwear pieces and adding casual, athleisure pieces for a blend that I often refer to as dressy casual. This trend could certainly be worn in most work places, but it also could be worn for a day out shopping or a walk in the park. Just make sure you have on your walking shoes.

My outfit is less about going to the office and more about looking fun and comfortable. I would definitely wear this to the coffee shop to work on writing projects or for a day running around with a girlfriend.

Everything in this outfit is thrifted, except the bag, which was a gift from my youngest. I am a lover of all things Edgar Allen Poe. My shoes were also a new purchase from DSW a few years ago.

I am sure, I have a bit of Lucille Ball in me, with all my silly facial expressions and antics. Ha, ha. Anyway, this thrifted skirt was a recent find. It appeared to be a piece that was altered. It must have been a much larger size and was brought in to make it smaller, so it has no brand name on it. It has a bit of a fit and flare silhouette, so is more fitted through the hips and bum, then flares outward towards the knees and ankles. It is lined, so no worries about having to wear a slip. The material is a medium weight and is covered with stitching giving it a textured feel. What really drew me to it, were the yellow sunflowers!

You’ve see this thrifted Paris tee on the blog before. It is such a great summer piece because it keeps me cool and comfy. You can see it worn with another maxi skirt, and olive pants.

This pale yellow zip up hoodie is a nice alternative to a cardigan or more structured blazer or jacket. Another thrift store fine, this is a brand called SB Active.

Since the look was a combination of feminine workwear and althleisure, I didn’t want to over accessorize, but I did add a couple of necklaces for an interesting layered look. I used my Poe tote bag for my purse and donned my Saucony sneakers.

What do you think of the Lady with a Twist trend? You certainly could do this in many different ways. Instead of a maxi skirt, wear a pencil skirt with a fun sweatshirt and platform sneakers. If skirts are not your jam, then wear a pair of joggers with a structured blazer, heels and a clutch. There are a lot of ways to carry this trend off. It is completely up to you.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Spark Joy

This trend is a bit different and I think really open to each individual’s own interpretation. The idea of Spark Joy is color and print combinations that make you feel like you are wearing a party. I actually enjoyed putting this together. You know I love print mixing and this pushed me even further outside of my color and print mixing box. Let’s take a closer look.

I got this Universal Threads, sun print top at Target at the same time I got my pastel colored eyelet shirt (seen last week on the blog). Once again, you can see the puffed sleeves. Usually, I am not a ruffle girl, but once in a while, I find something that doesn’t make me look like a clown and this top was one of those times. I think the gathering around the neck helps and that the ruffles are vertical rather than horizontal. Horizontal patterns on us larger ladies are harder to pull off, and that goes for ruffles as well. In fact, when placed as they are on this top, I think it balances out my wider bottom.

This is another LuLaRoe skirt that I found at a local thrift store. The thing I like about these maxi skirts is that I don’t have to worry about wearing a slip. They are comfortable and easy to wear. The fun patterns are great for print mixing as in this outfit, or you can pick any color in the pattern and match up to it. I know not everyone can wear a maxi skirt and I will include a few shopping links at the end for shorter printed skirts for those of you who prefer a midi or knee length style.

My floral, Erin London, bomber jacket you’ve seen before. It was a purchase from Shop National from their mark down section a few years ago. You can see it here with a floral top.

My accessories were simple since there was already plenty going on in this outfit. I chose another long pendant necklace, this time with some bling and fringe. I also opted for a wide black belt to make more of a definition between my top and the skirt. I added a few bracelets, my thrifted, black, a.n.a. loafer heels and my thrifted bucket bag. My daughter does not like this bag. What do you think? She doesn’t like the shape of it. I told her I would ask for your opinion, so be sure to comment below.

So what do you think of this crazy print mixing outfit? I do not really expect you to go out and wear something like this, but it is truly fun to experiment and push ourselves outside of our normal outfit ideas. Would I wear something like this? Probably not exactly as I have it here. I might swap out the skirt for a solid black skirt or pair of pants, or I might change the top for a solid tee. I might even wear the top and skirt together, but switch out the floral bomber for a solid cardi or light weight jacket. You can still have joy with bright colors and print mixing, but you can also look polished and classy.

I’m including a few shopping links for fun prints. Be sure to check those out. These are affiliate links. When you click on a link, I get a few cents. I appreciate every click. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

I hope you are having a great week.

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.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Eyelet, Luxe Leather, and Long Necklaces

I am continuing my look at Spring/Summer trends today with a focus on eyelet, metallic faux leather, and long necklaces. I have always like eyelet. I think it is a pretty, feminine material that is light weight, making it perfect for the warmer weather. Besides the feminine aspect of eyelet, I also like the textural element that a fabric like this adds to the outfit.

This top is Universal Thread brand. I added a similar colored tank top underneath for warmth. I thought it was appropriate that this top also has puffed sleeves since these are trending as well, as you saw last week. I personally like the puffed sleeve better when it is puffed at the end of the sleeve on a long sleeve top like last week’s. However, when I saw this top at Target, I fell in love with it, and I do like the way it looks. It will be a fun piece for summer with cropped pants and sneakers, or a skirt and flats.

The choice to wear my straight leg high waisted Gloria Vanderbilt jeans was a no brainer. The embroidered flowers on the leg, not only fit in with the fantasy floral trend, but they also went so well with the top. As I have said before, I am not getting rid of my skinny jeans, but I will gladly wear a pair of straight leg jeans on occasion.

You’ve seen this metallic faux leather moto jacket on the blog before. I got it at Nordstrom Rack and is a brand called Coffee Shop NY. It is a tad tight right now, due to my excess pandemic bulge, but I can still wear it open and I think it looks perfect with this outfit. You can see how I styled it with a camo shirt, and with a graphic tee and pin striped shirt combo.

Long necklaces are in this spring, as I mentioned before. I have quite a collection of pendant necklaces, like the one above, but I don’t think the trend is strictly limited to pendants. I think long dainty chains and multiple layers are trending too, so it really is what you want to make of it. I find almost all of my jewelry on clearance racks and at thrift shops. Once in a while I’ll get something brand new from one of my family members as a gift for Christmas, Mother’s day or my birthday, but otherwise I prefer cheap. Ha, ha.

My large pale green tote is making another appearance. I have used this numerous times on the blog and it was a purchase a few years ago from Charming Charlie. Big tote bags are also trending for spring. I think this often comes around again, because people are looking forward to traveling and going to the beach. We will see if Covid allows these simple pleasures in life again.

I figured since I was styling a moto jacket I might as well add my moto boots as well. You’ve also see these on the blog before too. These were a Kohl’s clearance purchase and are Sonoma brand.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like eyelet? Do you like to wear moto jackets? Wear do you get most of your jewelry from? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. You are what keeps this blog going. I know I don’t spend time talking about make up or hair products, and other fashion related ideas, but if you would like to see more of that kind of content, just leave a comment and let me know.

I am including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links, which means I get a few pennies if you click on a link. I appreciate all your clicks. All opinions are my own.

Have a great Tuesday!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer - 2021 - Puffed Sleeves, Pastels and Pops of Blue

I think most of you who follow me regularly know I love to combine ideas. For example, when I do my Pantone color series, I try to combine several colors at the same time. Part of why I do this is to save time, but it also stretches myself outside the normal, jeans and tees, types of outfits. I wanted to do the same thing with the Spring Trends, and today’s outfit also added the fun literary technique called alliteration. If you don’t already know what that is, it is the combining of words that all start with the same beginning sound. My grandson recently finished up a poetry unit at school. Why they think ten years olds need to know all the poetry terms and examples to go with them is beyond me. My grandson, came away with an unfortunate loathing for poetical form, which makes this writer sad. But I digress!

Today’s outfit revolves around three spring trends that we have seen before. Puffed sleeves keep coming back around, as do pastels. I think pastels are here to stay, as they can be used in so many ways as neutrals. The color blue is always classic, but I really liked the idea of using it as a pop of color in any outfit, so I might try to incorporate this trend into some of my future looks, just for fun.

I started this outfit with a recently thrifted top by John Paul Richard. I love the pattern and the puff sleeves. We often think of puffed sleeves as being puffy on the top, but on this particular top the puff is on the lower part of the sleeve. I won’t get a ton of wear out of this before the warmer weather hits as it is a heavier weight material, but it is perfect for those in between days. I also love the smocking on the bodice, through the back and upper sleeves. Having it loose through the body is a plus right now too, for my lovely love handles.

At first I had the top paired with some jeans that were more of a cognac color, but then I pulled out these blush Christopher & Banks trousers and thought it worked quite well. As you can see there is a light pink in the top, so my matchy mind likes the combination. However, I did like the way the top looked with the other colored pants as well, but I was trying to triple up on my trends. Ha, ha.

For my pops of blue, I added a beaded necklace, I got two Christmases ago, a couple of beaded bracelets with a few blue beads and my thrifted blue Nine & Co. bag.

The warmer weather always brings out my SO ballerina flats, and this year they are back on trend. However, the colors are more metallics and statement making patterns, but flat soles are in.

What do you think of these three trends? Do you like puffed sleeves? Do you like to wear pastels? Do you have any blue accessories that you can boost up your outfits with? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so leave me a comment or two. Your comments help keep me blogging.

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

Have a great weekend!

Photo credit Rebecca Trumbull.

Spring/Summer Trends - 2021

I am actually a little behind as far as being on the trend wagon, but I figure since spring hasn’t officially sprung yet, that I am right on schedule. Ha ha. I am going to do a few weeks on spring trends and then I will start my Pantone color series. It is always fun to head into summer thinking about new color combinations, so while I might be behind schedule, at least I am heading in the right direction. Let’s take a look at what is trending for this spring and summer. Remember, there are hundreds of trends that fashion entities put out and I just pick a few that I think you will find interesting. If you are interested in seeing more trends just type Spring Trends 2021 into your search bar and you will see all sorts of articles from fashion gurus like: Vogue, Cosmopolitan, WhoWhatWear, Marie Claire and more. I usually peruse as many of these sites as I can find, making a complete list, then I go through and choose the ones I like and that I can pull off with things from my own closet.

Statement Trousers

Pants have gone wide for spring and summer so be prepared for palazzo pants, wide crops and other statement pieces made of all types of fabrics from slinky knits and flowy chiffons, to more structured linens and unique denims.

Fantasy Florals

Florals are once again making a scene in the fashion world. From small prints to big and bold, you can find floral prints on everything from dresses, which I’ve shown here, to tops, bottoms, sweaters, bags, and shoes. I’m glad that florals are here to stay and that they are multi-generational

Belts

Belts are making their own statement this spring, so showing off your waist is essential whether it be by wearing a crop top or like me, by doing the front tuck. Another way to show off your belt acumen is by wearing a wider belt over a longer top, tunic or dress, to cinch in your waistline. Making a few investments in good quality leather belts is on my list of things to look for at thrift stores.

Eyelet

Texture is in for the warmer weather. We know texture plays a big part in our outfits in the winter with fur, chenille, velvet and others keeping us cozy. For summer the textures are just as noticeable with trims including feathers, fringe and string. Fabrics like eyelet, lace and netting are again popular providing extra interest for many outfits. I chose to focus on eyelet, because it is the more modest of the popular choices. Don’t get me started on what was being worn, or more truthfully said, what was not being worn on the fashion run ways!

Puffed Sleeves

One thing that is definitely true of this spring is size matters (pardon my vulgarity), but when it comes to sleeves, shoulder pads, bags and shoes, bigger is better. I have never been a huge fan of oversized shoulder pads, and platform shoes, while cute, are not something I would regularly wear, so I chose puffed sleeves for my oversized novelty.

Luxe Leather

Just like last spring, leather is still shaking up the fashion world. Leather (or faux leather for those of us with much stricter budget or looking for animal friendly options) is not just for jackets. You can find leather pants, tops, skirts and the usual leather pieces like shoes and bags. Wearable leather is much more wearer friendly these days with light weight and softer pieces. Leather also runs the color gambit, so look for leather in metallics and pastels.

Pastels

Pastels are here to stay and seem to be wearable in every season, but especially as we look forward to the brighter, warmer days of spring and summer. These lighter colors can be worn as statement pieces on their own, or you can incorporate them into your wardrobe in small doses with a bag, shoes or other accessories.

Bright Pink

This bright pink will get more air time when I do my Pantone series in a few weeks, but for now be aware, this bright, sometimes bubble gum pink is getting some attention. While blush has made its place as a new neutral in fashion, this bright pink is making a place of its own.

Wearing White

Wearing white after Memorial Day is a given, but that particular fashion “rule” has been disbanded by most people. White is a year round color, just like black or navy, or olive or blush. However, I am much more likely to wear white in the summer in the form of crop pants, skirts or shoes. If you have been wanting to get out your whites and give them a ride, go for it.

Pops of Blue

I thought this was an interesting trend that anyone could easily add to their wardrobe. The idea is to put together whatever outfit you are going to wear, then add a pop of blue. Whether you are dressed to go to work, or for a day running errands, you can easily uplift your outfit and your mindset with just a small pop of blue.

I hope you have enjoyed looking at a few of the Spring/Summer 2021 trends. I’ll be discussing a few others as I get into my outfits and possibly even into the Pantone series. If any of the pieces above look interesting, just click on the link for more details. These are affiliate links, brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

I hope you are having a good week.

Having Fun with Layers - Plaid Skirt

I have been trying to get back to more of a regular posting schedule, but I am still struggling, so bear with me for a little while longer. Everything takes time, which is often the thing I am not really good at managing. Just when I am on the cusp of making changes and doing better, something seems to happen to throw me off. Last night I hardly got any sleep due to a sore neck. I have no idea what happened. I didn’t twist it or jerk it, but during the day I got a bad headache and by evening, my neck on one side felt like it was cramping up. Ugg. Now I have a big lump back there. Like many people, I carry my stress in my neck and shoulders. Yes, we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Ha. ha. Anyway, thank the Lord for ibuprofen, heating pads and frozen bags of corn and peas!

Today’s outfit revolves around a thrifted plaid skirt. I have styled this Michelle brand skirt on the blog before. You can see how I styled it with a gingham shirt. It is a simple a-line piece with a fair amount of stretch, but still enough structure. The plaid pattern is embellished with an embroidered floral arrangement in the lower front corner of the skirt.

Because I love when things have some continuity I chose to wear a sweater that matches the blue in the flowers. This is a thrifted Croft & Barrow cable knit piece. As you can tell, I like these types of sweaters and have a number of them in various colors.

I have been looking for an excuse to wear this thrifted HSZ Studio wide wale corduroy jacket and this seemed to be the perfect look to combine it with. The lighter color says spring, yet the material is still plenty warm for the chilly days still to come. I almost got rid of this piece, because after I got it I never wore it. The sleeves are a little short and for a time, I thought about cutting off the sleeves and making it into a vest. However, I hung it back in closet and now I am glad I did. I think it will work well, even with the shorter sleeves as then I can have other colors peeking out by my wrists with long sleeve tees, sweaters, or button downs.

Once again I used my heavier sweater tights to keep my legs warm. I chose my thrifted, Nine West, black, buckle loafers instead of boots and my green Axcess bag.

I like the length of this skirt. Do you like your skirts shorter, longer or in between. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section down below. Since so much of this outfit is thrifted, what the best piece you have found thrifting?

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, but are brought to you at no cost. If you click on the link, I get a few cents, but every penny counts.

I hope you are having a great first week of March!

Pantone Spring/Summer - 2020 - Blush Beauty, Bossa Nova and Blanc de Blanc

Today’s two bright colors might seem like an unlikely pairing, but then if you have been following me for a while, you know the crazier the color combo the more I want to try it. In some ways these colors combined almost make the outfit seem monochrome. Blush Beauty is a pinkish orange, so we might say it is like salmon or coral. Bossa Nova is a dark red with a little bit of a brown undertone. I added a Classic color Blanc de Blanc which is white by any other name. I know that there are shades of white, but for all intents and purposes, white is white. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

My paisley short sleeve tunic top is a thrifted Old Navy piece. It has a lace up detail that is just for show, but the print is what drew me to it. I have always like paisley. It just makes me think of the 60’s and 70’s and lots of my Dad’s old ties. Ha. ha. Here is a look at the outfit without the jacket so you get a better view of the top.

My pants are W63 from dressbarn. I’ve styled these on the blog before. You can see them worn with a coral sweater, a multi print jacket, and with a LuLaRoe perfect tee. One thing I noticed as I looked back at these pictures and the one above, these pants are always wrinkled when I wear them. Part of that may be the material as it sticks to my legs, and part of it may be my chunky legs. Ha, ha.

Here you can see the lace up detail on the top and the thrifted distressed Rue 21 cropped jean jacket. This is another piece that has gotten frequent wear on the blog. See it with a floral midi dress and a maxi dress, a high-waisted skirt, dark wash jeans, and with a leopard print skirt.

I thought the white accessories were a good compliment to go with the white in the top. The Jaclyn Smith bag was thrifted and the Keds were a Kohl’s clearance purchase a year or two ago.

What do you think of these colors together or even separately? Do you like Bossa Nova or Blush Beauty better? How are your clothes fitting these days? Ha, ha.

I hope you all are doing well and that you have a great weekend. Thank you all so much for following along and especially for your lovely comments. If there is ever anything you’d like to see or have me talk about on the blog, let me know. I have had someone suggest I do a video on how to tie scarves, so maybe I’ll try something like that in the fall.

I’ve included some shopping links to look over, so if you have the time, check those out. You never know when you might need something new. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Photo and graphic 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 - Sunlight, Flame Scarlet and Ash

There are so many ways to combine these colors. I have had a few of you make comments about which colors you like and love to combine. Susan told me she loves today’s pale yellow, Sunlight, combined with Tuesday’s medium pale blue, Faded Denim. What a great combination. I had Karen tell me she usually veers towards the Classic colors, but suddenly realized she had a few new outfits in her closet when she saw last Thursday’s combination of Classic Blue and Chive. I would love to spend most of my blog time just talking about color combinations, because the more I do these Pantone series, the more I realize how many more beautiful combinations there are. However, I know there are other fashion topics to talk about, so I’ll keep the color talks to the Pantone series and my monthly Color Play posts, which will be back soon. Thank you, all of my beautiful subscribers, for your input and support.

Today’s color combination may not have been your first choice. When we think of combining yellow and red my mind immediately goes to McDonald’s. Anyone else have that reaction? Yellow and red seem almost clownish together, but you may change your mind when you see how a pale faded yellow pairs with a stark red. I like it. Let me know what you think.

This thrifted Christopher and Banks corduroy jacket was the perfect Sunlight color. This jacket is soft, flexible, and great for those in between days when it is still cool.

Another thrift find, this Nautica 3/4 sleeve tee is a great spring and summer staple. Not only does it have the bright Flame Scarlet and white stripes, but it bears the nautical sign of the anchor. It makes me think of the anchor of the Lord, that moors my boat in this ever stormy sea called life.

These Ash gray jeans are another thrift find, and are Gloria Vanderbilt. I used to wear Gloria’s jeans all the time, then got away from them. This pair is soft and have just enough stretch to make them so comfortable to wear. I think the length of these is great for summer. How do you like to wear your pant length in the warmer months?

I kept the jewelry minimal and threw on this opera length string of large beads. Doubling it, gives it a fun layered look.

I chose this simple thrifted Jaclyn Smith top handle bag to keep the look light and fresh. This also comes with a longer strap so it can be converted into a crossbody bag. You can see how I styled this bag with white jeans, Bermuda shorts and high waisted jeans.

My Dana Buchman tweed loafers are making another appearance. Loafers are a great shoe for this in between time, before you really want to go out in sandals.

What do you think of this color combination? Have I changed your view on wearing red and yellow together? It would not be my first choice of colors to combine, but I am glad I did it for this series. It helps me to think outside my box. As always I love to hear you thoughts.

Graphic created by Rebecca Trumbull.

I’ve included a few shopping links which mimic this look. These are affiliate links and all opinions are my own.

Pantone Spring/Summer 2020 - Intro: The New York Palette

Here we are again, looking at the Spring/Summer color palette for 2020. The Pantone Color Institute puts out two color palettes twice a year; the New York palette and the London palette. The palettes for Spring/Summer come out in the fall of the year before. The Fall/Winter palettes comes out around January. They are thinking much further ahead than I am. I am just gearing up to talk about the Spring/Summer palette and the fashion industry already has their color choices and styles made up for the fall and winter. It is very hard to keep up, so I don’t even try. I try to show you the seasonal trends, as those are more time focused. Colors, in my opinion are not restricted by times or seasons, although, I am one to pull out my lighter colors for spring and summer and my darker colors for fall and winter.

This Spring/Summer palette is full of colors that just about anyone can be pleased with. If you are a pastel kind of gal you will love the lighter shades of pale Sunlight, Coral Pink and Faded Denim. If you enjoy bright and bold, you’ll want to reach for Flame Scarlet, Saffron and Orange Peel. Maybe you enjoy tones that are more earthy, then you will like Chive, Classic Blue and Cinnamon Stick. Looking for color inspiration for resort wear, then take a peek at Grape Compote, Mosaic Blue and Biscay Green. In addition the Institute always includes a classic color palette if you prefer the main part of your outfit to be more neutral and conservative. This year those colors include a deep tan, called Lark, and a dark blue called Navy Blazer. Bright White and Ash are also classic options on the New York palette.

A good way to combine these colors is to take a navy blazer, a gray skirt and then add a bright pop of color like Orange Peel or Saffron in a blouse, jewelry or a bag. If you don’t normally like a bold approach to your wardrobe, this is a great way to still stay in your comfort zone, but add color in small bursts.

The way I will be pairing these, as usual is taking two of the colors and adding a pinch of a classic color to keep things from getting to outrageous. Just so you have a teaser as to what is coming up, here are a few pictures of my color combos.

Classic Blue and Chive

Faded Denim and Orange Peel

Sunlight and Flame Scarlet

Saffron and Biscay Green

Coral Pink and Mosaic Blue

Grape Compote and Cinnamon Stick

I’ll talk more about these colors and how I decided to put the outfits together when I post each of these outfits over the next couple of weeks.

Be sure to come back on Thursday to see the first outfit in the Pantone Spring/Summer 2020 New York palette.

Have a great day!

Graphic provided by Rebecca Trumbull.



Transitional Spring Outfit

I thought it would be fun to show off a new purchase I made at a local retailer I have mentioned on the blog before. I made this purchase back in January, so well before the shelter-in-place went into effect. Today’s focal piece is a floral maxi dress that I purchased from Eden Fashion Boutique. I did a feature post on this local retailer back in 2018. You can see the original post here.

A maxi dress can be perfect for transitional dressing. It is long, so still offers coverage for those cool days before summer comes or when fall is on the way. They also are easy to layer with. Just throw on a jean jacket, a sweater or even a sweatshirt and you feel cozy, but still look stylish.

This MikaRose dress is so comfortable I could wear it to bed. It is made out of a soft, medium weight jersey knit. It just slips on over your head with no buttons, snaps, or zippers to get in the way. It has an empire waist, so there is absolutely no pinching or binding. I like that the sleeves are closer to elbow length and that it has a scoop neckline. Of course, the selling point for me was not only the feel, but the floral pattern, and in this case it is an olive background rather than white, blue or black. I think that gives it an all season look.

My Say What? brand vest is from a few years ago. I thought the colors went well with the flowers in the dress for a little print mixing. The hand crafted look and the fringe gives the outfit a boho vibe. You can see where I styled this vest on the blog before with a short sleeve tee and a pair of checked trousers, here.

I chose this necklace for its fringe-like appearance and the light pink cording.

You’ve seen this dark olive hobo bag on the blog many times before. Most recently I carried it with my new red plaid jacket from Maurices, which you can see here. The pink flower pins are perfect with the dress. At some other point in time, I’d like to focus on the yellowy color in the dress as a way to pick out complimentary accessories.

I opted for my SO faux suede ankle boots, because it is still too cold for sandals. Boo, on this crazy weather. Ha, ha.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like to wear maxi dresses? How do you style yours? I’d love to hear you opinions, so leave a note or two in the comments. I appreciate your following and interacting with me on the blog.

I’ve included a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great weekend and stay safe