Neutrals for Spring

The weather is glorious, and the azaleas are bursting forth in bloom along with my Lady Banks Roses!!   some days the highs have been in the upper 60’s and even entering the 70’s.  That means that I have been busy in my closet changing my winter elements out and accessing what I currently have that is still a good fit and ready for spring.

One of the trends for spring that I mentioned a few posts back was the move to the relaxed elegance of the soft colors like oatmeal, biscuit, blush and off-white along with the darker earth tones. I definitely love these colors, so I spent some time in my wardrobe pulling my neutrals in these soft tones and taking stock of what I currently own that will go towards building some great looks for spring and summer.

One of the fabulous things about these neutrals is that they can stand alone in a monochromatic look or paired with other shades. They also work so well with those statement colors for a lot of versatility and to increase the number of outfits you can style!

The look I have styled today came together using 2 thrift purchases from Goodwill and a new item from TJ Maxx.     I recently found this cool brown skirt with some great details in  a Columbia Goodwill for the grand total of $1. I was very excited to add this to my wardrobe for such a bargain!  I bought this top from TJ Maxx and am so excited to add this to my neutral wardrobe elements.  It was perfect with the brown skirt with the varying hues in the top, and  I also love the fringed hem! I decided to belt the top with this look, but you will be seeing it in the near future unbelted! It works both ways.

I added a Zara vest from Goodwill in Mount Pleasant in a cream hue to tie in the cream of the top. My belt has a brown front but  varied neutral colors along the back.  Cream shoes and  vintage  two toned pearl necklace and earrings along with a pair of gold speckled sunnies complete the look.

Take some time to go through your wardrobe to gather your neutrals and see what you have, then style some different looks!  Shop your closet and check out the number of choices that the shops  and online shopping sites have!!  I was just in TJ Maxx this past weekend, and saw so many that I liked. However, They are everywhere.

Let me know what you have in your already existing wardrobes and what you see out and about.  You can share the pics in the comments of our Facebook page –   !!!!!!!!.  If you haven’t followed us on Facebook, now is the time to hop over and give us a like. I look forward to seeing these and even pics of y’all in your looks!!!

 

 

Down to Earth

Every fashion season the designers in Paris, New York, and all the other major fashion meccas, send their models down the runways teasing us with their latest designs and colors!! The shows for the Spring looks were no exception, there were colors galore in all sorts of styles!

Orange red, a deep jester red, turmeric orange, corals, pinks, greens, golds and blues were all there in large numbers! We all know that I adore color and love to style with it.  However, there were also some other colors there that I truly love and which are going to be very hot this spring and summer!!

The earth tones – the most subtle of colors-  are such a rich array of hues, and they are more than perfect additions to our wardrobes. Earth tones are those neutrals that reflect the colors of the earth- sometimes muted and sometimes dark and rich!

 

The color of toffee, soybean, sweet corn, and brown granite and many other shades are part of the earth tone trend for this upcoming season.

 

I love wearing looks with these colors because they are so versatile and very easy to style with.  They are indeed the most versatile of wardrobe color staples and can form at least part of the foundation for your wardrobe!  Here are a few looks from the runways in the earthy tones.

This past week, I decided to put together a few style inspirations from my own closet incorporating some of these neutral earth tones.  Of course, my looks are not runway designs!! They are instead very functional and have a bit of my style. Now, I know it’s not spring yet,  but we all need looks to be part of a transitional wardrobe from winter to spring.

My first look is  a vintage meet modern look! I recently found this neat earth tone print top and have been waiting to style it for this post. I just love the myriad of neutral hues in the print, and I adore the funky buttons!!! I find that vintage clothing always has the best details and oh, the buttons are divine. I chose some simple off white pants, a belt, and my boots to pick up on the color of the buttons.

My purse and my hat are also vintage as well.  The purse is a soft butter color with a brown lucite handle. I was also able to add several of my lucite bangles to the look.  My hat is a jaunty little brown straw creation.  I consider myself lucky to find quite a few vintage items here in Charleston and in Nashville. I do love incorporating the vintage in with my modern pieces.

My second look brings in a medium hue of camel in a simple sheath dress with 3/4 sleeves and a belt. I decided to add a pop of color to the look with my accessories. It’s a simple look, and an easy one to style.

My  maroon boots are  from Tommy Hilfiger. My scarf is actually reversible with different shades of camel and maroon. I also added my maroon hat to the look. My wooden necklace brought an extra texture to the outfit.

The last look that I styled was completely neutral and another vintage meets modern look.  I recently purchased this  vintage lace dress from Buffalo Exchange for such a fabulous price. I am so looking forward to all the ways that I will be able to style it this spring and summer.  I paired it with a long lace jacket in a soft, soft butter hue. I included the same belt from my first look to tailor the jacket a bit, but the jacket can also be worn open and unbelted.  I will style it that way soon.

My hat is a soft straw bonnet with an oversized brim that can be adjusted into different silhouettes. The addition of neutral pumps and a floral bag complete the soft and feminine look.

Neutrals are always on my BOLO (be on the lookout list) when I go shopping because I can always use them in styling so many looks. They are essentially the workhorses of my wardrobe. I hope that you have found a little inspiration for styling some looks with these hues. Visit your closet – pull those neutrals out- and style away!!

Naturally Neutral

There are so many days we get all dolled up with hot pink lips and vibrant colors and then there are days like today when Michele is “all-naturaal” and Susie is in neutrals. 

 

Both kinds of days are important. You can’t be bold and bodacious everyday. But being in neutrals and natural doesn’t mean you have to be boring at all.

Take Michelle’s dress today for example. It was so comfortable- it had pockets, high slits on each side and a corset back. It was definitely made for warmer temps. Michelle is definitely on the hat gravy train… as it seems she has one to wear every day. She has surpassed 35 and is really seeing some signs of aging. Anytime she can get some shade from a wide brimmed hat- or small she takes it.

Lipstick wasn’t in the limelight today although for Michelle most days it is! Today was very slow paced and easy going- there was no need for hot pink so she just dabbed on some neutral gloss and went  with it.

At 57 and counting>>> Susie is a woman of a “Certain Awesome Age”! She is well acquainted with ensembles in a neutral hue. She loves color so much, but often feels the call of the natural hues in fashion. However, her lipstick is a fashion gotta- have! Her look of the day is a layered casual look.

Her tunic from Affordables  is a myriad of creams, tans, and taupes and is accented by a wooden button at the base of the V-neck and pockets of course!! A simple cream shell under the tunic is a perfect partner. Her Khaki pants from Cato are soo comfortable. Her accessories are all neutral as well. Her shoes are gold mules- comfortable with a pop of metallic appeal. The final touch is a cream crocheted scarf as a very light weight shawl!

Whether you find yourself on that natural path or look down and think wow, I’m in all neutral colors today stand tall put those shoulders back and be beautiful you!

Ladies,  thank you for taking the time to stop by and share in our passion!!! We hope your Easter weekend is both happy and blessed!!!

Weekend Antics

Pops of color and neutrals. Love and love. No matter how you slice it- both are great picks for a Saturday!

Michelle chose a bold cobalt shirt with an asymmetric hem with her white jeans. In order for them to be the right length for her suede boots, she had to tight roll her pants. Yes, tight roll- I know- bringing back the early 90’s- and loving every second of it! It’s true every fashion style makes its appearance again and again, but each year the style picks up its own familiar flavor.

Susie went with neutrals- her favorite combos. They go with so much and are the basis for so many great outfits.  Susie started with a soft brown maxi dress and paired it with a very neutral long cardigan. Adding a brown belt with matching brown suede boots provided a contrast to the long cardigan.  Her scarf also provided a neutral pop to the neckline. It’s a soft and easy look for the fall!!!

So whether you choose to wear neutrals, brights, or a combination of both, you can rest assured that you will be in style and ready for some weekend antics!!

Enjoy your weekend, Ladies, and keep styling!!!

No Grit… No Pearl

Have you ever thought about that saying? No Grit, no pearl… those words pack a punch that really hit home with us this week.

Being a pearl is work, it takes time, nurturing, it hurts sometimes, but in the end it is a beautiful creation that occurs from the grinding of one hard surface and another. We need people in our lives to sharpen us. Make us think about life and readjust our focus when we need it most! We call these people true friends, and we certainly have been blessed with far more quality friends than we deserve. Sometimes these friends even say things like that skirt just isn’t your color or that neckline is stunning on you. Today was a day you needed that friend in your closet advising you on what you should put on. Hello…. it’s a Monday!!

Yes, today was a Monday… From the 5:45 alarm all the way to right now there was no denying it. We were full steam ahead all day. But do you know what was so cool about today? We showed up at school, both smiling, and excited to be back together again, and would you believe that both of us had a kinda summer-kinda fall outfit on.

Michelle was in a long floral maxi, but she paired it with a cardigan to make it more fallish. Susie wore neutrals layered-one linen and one a textured cotton. Because of the texture and layering it had a very fallish feel.

You see, the south can be a very tricky place to try to dress appropriately. For example, most wouldn’t wear sandals into November, but somedays it’s still in the 80’s into November, so sandals here don’t seem so far off.

This morning was the kind of day where you stand in the closet and say what in the world am I gonna wear, I have nothing!! Luckily we both found something- the alternative would scare people to death! And just like always, without even saying a word, we both dressed kinda summer and kinda fall and it all worked out!