New Year, New Hair!

It was time. I guess my current thirst for color isn't limited to just clothing and just fuchsia (spelled it right the first tiiiime). There is no way I would go fuchsia on my hair. At least. Not all over my head. But the point is: my color craze has manifested itself in a new way!

Ombré highlights might not seem crazy to you, but as a hair color virgin, let me tell you this is the result of a year's worth of me hemming and hawing. I know, it's a little wimpy of me. But I did it, and I love it. Kind of liberating.

Up dork factor to 10, I know.

Excuse me while I freak a little and do a happy dance. And bring on 2013! Happy New Year!

Collage: All Kinds of Stars

This was a "quick, I'm feeling inspired!" collage I made one afternoon a few months ago.

The feeling I wanted to evoke was watching shooting stars through a skylight, in bed (it's a little dream of mine to have a skylight in my bedroom). I used the following details to follow through on this theme:

• Shooting stars are "Lucky" and used to make "wishes"
• The navys/blacks with the contrast of oranges/sunflare yellows create a night sky feel, plus a day/night contrast
• "Sun is better" -- the sun is the biggest star / provides a day/night contrast
• The tribal textiles evoke the idea of bed & blankets, along with the picture of the skylights
• Plus multiple kinds of star shapes (duh)

I know, it's not exactly airtight. But I think that's part of what art is: a mixture of things that provoke a specific associations for the artist. These things connect for me, based on my experience and what I want to communicate. Putting them together in a collage is my attempt to help you see and feel the same experience.

And Color of the Year Goes to...

Let's keep talking color, shall we?

I found out a few years ago that every year, Pantone names and claims a Color of the Year. This is a real thing. The color for 2011 was "Honeysuckle" and in 2012, it was "Tangerine Tango":

And, drum roll please... the Color of the Year for 2013 is "Emerald":

Pantone states that Emerald is "the color of growth, renewal and prosperity -- no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity..." (quote via Design Taxi).

So we'll be seeing a lot of Emerald green in both fashion and home decorating schemes over the next few months. If you're eager to begin collecting Oz-appropriate pieces for your closet, here are some pretty picks to get you started:



And, if you're curious, here's a little background on the Color of the Year, via Wikipedia:

"Annually Pantone declares a particular color "Color of the Year." Twice a year the company hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations' color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year; for example, the color for summer 2013 was chosen in London in the spring of 2012. The color purportedly connects with the zeitgeist; for example the press release declaring Honeysuckle the color of 2011 said "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues." The results of the meeting are published in Pantone View ($750), which fashion designers, florists, and many other consumer-oriented companies purchase to help guide their designs and planning for future products."

Kind of crazy and kind of cool, right? Pantone also produces seasonal color palettes -- here are the other colors that will be popular this coming spring!

Hot Pink Upgrade.

We've spent most of the past month talking about holidays and all they bring: sparkles, red, gold, etc. blah blah blah. I have to admit... I'm on holiday outfit overload at this point. Anyone else? Ready for a switch up? Upgrade? Trade in?

(via Purse Blog)

Please come now, Spring.

Underneath the veneer of holiday blogging, I've been secretly longing for warm breezes and bright colors (like fuschia fucshia fuchsia. Drat. Someday I'll spell "fuchsia" correctly on the first try. Today is not that day). This happens around January 1 every year... After the holidays, I have no use for Winter and its gray, dreary, shivery existence.

(via Viva Luxury)

I'm ready to pack away my browns & grays & creams and bust out the color! Which is probably why I've been wearing my fuschia fuchsia (DANG IT) loafers most days. I haven't gone so far as to binge on pictures of tropical locations yet, but the only clothes I seem to be able to see currently are brights.

(via Atlantic-Pacific)

April? May? June? Are we there yet?

Merry & Bright

Here's wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas!

We're still hoping for some snow... we saw some flurries Saturday, but we're holding out for the real deal. Vi is doing her part to encourage it: she's got the boots. She's got the sparkly pom-pom hat. She's got the attitude. And she got her Christmas present (a doll stroller) 3 weeks early because I couldn't wait any longer...

Now all she needs is a white Christmas. How can the Universe say no to that face?

I'm off to make a coffee cake... merry merry.

Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve

Happy Friday! We made it to December 21 without the world ending. Those prankster Mayans.

Any fun weekend plans? Ours kicked off yesterday (if you count Thursday as a little pre-weekend)... I went up to my mom's and made seven different kinds of Christmas cookies with my siblings all day. We made the classics (for us, anyway): sugar cookies, chocolate chip walnut, orange glazed, cranberry white chocolate chip, ginger, raspberry jam thumbprints, and the family favorite -- chocolate blossoms. Last night we visited the Downtown Holiday Market in DC with friends after a warm dinner of pho (my first time trying it... and Violet's. She downed that stuff like it was candy). Tomorrow we get to catch up with my long-lost brother who's home from college for the holidays, and then before we know it, it'll be Christmas Eve, which brings a buttload of presents to wrap because traditionally, I leave wrapping for Christmas Eve. In between all that, we'll be wishing real hard that this dratted rain will somehow turn into snow before the 25th. Or just sometime before March. We're not that picky.

On serious note, whatever you end up doing this weekend, take some time to love on your close friends and family. A week ago today, the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary occurred. Those sweet children and their families are very much on my mind, especially as the holidays approach... instead of wrapping and cookies this weekend, they're facing the task of burying their 6- and 7-year-olds. I know... it's such a harsh reality. But I really feel that, even as the headlines grow smaller, we should continue offering our support and love. If you pray, pray for them.

People Watching: Holiday Party

My friend Meaghan showed up to a holiday gathering wearing a simple but elegant black peplum top with a pair of flattering red jeans, and I loved how festive and trendy her outfit was. I recreated the look here, pairing the top & pants with some glittery flats and necklace (she wore patent black flats -- also a great choice!). Perfect for a holiday party with friends and family.

Wearing Plaid Chic-ly

Hannah left a comment saying: "So any tips for wearing plaid chicly? I end up wearing long-sleeve plaid shirts a lot in the winter, and I'm NOT going for the lumberjill look."

Fun question! Especially because I used to write plaid off because I too didn't want to look like a lumberjill. Probably had something to do with the fact that when I was ages 10-12, I wore my older brother's hand-me-down plaid shirts day in and day out. They were masculine in both color and shape, but I loved the warmth of the flannel and the awesomeness of the plaid even then. I've since learned how to style plaid in classy ways -- it can be done!

A few thoughts:

Choose your plaid carefully. Classic plaids like the ones pictured below are safe bets. This isn't to say you can't pick something with pink or teal or yellow in it (although that color palette would lend itself better to a skater/boarder look)! But you're guaranteed chic when you go classic:

In terms of styling a plaid shirt, the key is mixing it with chic textures, colors, and accessories (with some feminine touches, to contrast the masculine plaid print). And I will now list my chic standbys: think black, gold, pearls, leather, tweed, chiffon, tulle, denim, boots, heels/flats, etc. Avoid wearing the shirt hanging open (unbuttoned all the way), or with chunky layers or anything that's too earthy or wooly if you're really trying to completely steer clear of lumberjack.

If you're working with a more modern plaid like the ones pictured below (i.e. a pattern with more "unorthodox" colors), keep the rest of your outfit more neutral so you maintain a streamlined look. Tuck it in, rather than wearing it un-tucked or open. Focus on the accessories/shoes: flats & jewelry can do a lot to chic it up.

Side note: While there's a danger of going too lumberjack, there's also a danger of going too "mom-ish" -- be careful when you pick a gingham or a newer multicolored plaid.

Any other ideas for chic ways to wear a plaid shirt? Do tell!


The middle pic in the second set above (blonde hair/sunglasses/watch) is via Happily Grey.

Wishlist

Just a few things I'm wishing for this Christmas...

1: UO Rug: Something bright and colorful to put at the foot of our big armchair. 

2: Sequin skirt: For outfits like this. 

3: Amour necklace: You can never have too many circle gold pendants. Plus this one spins! 

4: AE Tank: Sadly, no longer available. But isn't it pretty? Perfect under a cozy cardigan. 

5: Lemon Zester: It's what my kitchen is missing. And I hate washing out my grater. 

6: Striped Washi Tape: For collaging and wrapping and stuff. 

7: Essie's Beyond Cozy & Mango Bango: Neutral + sparkly & bright coral nailpolish for gray winter days. 

8: Anorak jacket: Styled with jeans, socks, and boots... a great throw-on Fall/Winter/Spring jacket. 

What are you hoping for this December? Share a link in the comments if you've made a wishlist too so we can all see the pretty things you love.

People Watching: Dinner Out in Ballston

My friend Mindy showed up to dinner the other night wearing the above outfit (or an outfit comprised of similar pieces). I asked her pretty much immediately if I could put it on my blog (yeeeah... my friends put up with a lot). She looked fashionable but comfortable and cozy at the same time. Perfect for a nice dinner with friends at Rustico. The sweater skirt plus the cable tights complemented each other really well, and the outfit was a good representation of how to style a chambray shirt into the winter.