Hot Mama Style

Hey, you guys! I was featured a few weeks ago at A Stylish Little Lady's blog and I loved her post. She selected several mamas who, as she put it, hold down the fort at home but also pursue other interests.

Don't we all know how hard that can be?? So it was nice to have some recognition for that and for our efforts to be stylish in our own sweet way. Go check out the other hot mamas!

Speaking of hot, sheesh, the temps! I'm glad I wore some of my fave 3/4 cardis early this season because it is almost too hot for them, already. Here's what I've been wearing lately to beat the heat ...

Forgive the bad hair day and the lack of makeup. I wanted to take the pictures before I finished getting ready, to get them out of the way.

What have you been wearing this spring?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Having trouble deciding which season you are? I'd be happy to help!
Start the process of finding your season by taking my
seasonal color analysis quiz
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"When we find the set that enhances you above all the others, what we have really uncovered are the exact pigments already in your skin, in your body. When you then wear the colors you already are, you look like magic because your person and your attire is sending the same wavelength of energy to the viewer." ~~Christine Scaman, 12 Blueprints

Warm, Clear & Deep: A Clear Autumn Conundrum

Happy Memorial Day!

In addition to celebrating family and feeling thankful for our military this weekend, I have been thinking about color analysis (yeah, what else is new?)

When you get right down to it, color analysis is about finding home for someone’s coloring. Where does it fit best?

Is her coloring warm or cool?

Soft or clear?

Light or deep?

Finding a fit within the 12-season model can sometimes be a challenge, because not everyone fits easily into those categories. What about someone like me who is not warm and clear and light, but warm and clear and deep?

If you’ve been reading along for the past six months or so, you know that I grappled with this off and on and just recently, came to the conclusion that I was a deep spring. Having to fit inside the 12-season model would have left me with either light spring, warm spring or clear spring and neither seemed quite right.

But in the 16-season model, deep spring seemed perfect for me.

Until I tried it within the Color Alliance framework!! First, a colleague suggested contrasting chestnut spring, so I tried it. The palette was not nearly warm enough. I chose my own coordinates and came up with vivid chestnut spring. Well, surely that would be rich and warm, right? Not so much!

I talked it over with two of the trainers for Color Alliance and they explained several differences between this system and the 12-season model that I did not know.

(1) Instead of deep spring meaning that you deepen already-warm spring colors, contrasting spring is borderline winter.

(2) In Color Alliance, warm and clear and deep is not best found in spring.  Autumn is significantly warmer than spring (spring is not that warm), so my level of warmth is going to be best found in autumn.

(3) And orange, especially the red-orange that is one of my best colors, is not plentiful in the spring palettes. In the 12-season model, they are included, but not in Color Alliance. So all of this combined has landed me right back where I started, in clear autumn.

Or, in Color Alliance words: vivid rich autumn.

So once again, I am going to order another palette and will get it, hopefully, in a few days. The picture is an example of a vivid rich autumn palette. Mine will be slightly different, I'm sure, but hopefully, very close.

But if it works for me, it will certainly prove right what they told me. And I will be the third warm or deep spring who is an autumn in Color Alliance. Something to keep in mind as I do color analysis.

And speaking of that, I have decided to spend a little more time getting to know the particulars of how this system works, so I can keep them in mind when doing my own work. I want any new system I use to add value to my work with clients and it has become clear that in order to do that, I better get to know this one better.

And Color Me Beautiful is still rolling everything out, so  it wasn’t quite ready anyway. I was so excited about it, though, that I was planning to jump the gun a little. I’ve changed my mind on that but will let you know as soon as it’s ready!

I am taking today off but will link to all my fun fashion friends on Tuesday or Wednesday! Have a wonderful Memorial Day.

On Wednesday, I will link up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday, and hopefully, to Melaina at Transatlantic Blonde for What I Wore Wednesday and A Stylish Little Lady for Life Lately (if they have it this Wed.).

COMING SOON: 
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"A unique system of color analysis, firmly grounded in scientific measurements & circumscribed by the timeless principles of art. 
It produces a color palette unique to you, 
specifically designed to complement your own skin, hair and eye color." 
–Color Alliance
Click here to find out more!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

My Goals for May: Here's How I Did...

The end of another month! How did it go for you?

(1) Preparing for My Fashion Feng Shui Course: It begins next week and there were a few assignments I need to get done before it starts.

Not only did I finish last week, but I decided to tweak one of the assignments so that I could combine everything into one picture and I'm still done! This is the new picture I created...

(2) Healthy Changes: Mmhmm, this one is back again. Sleep more, slow down, eat better, drink more water, etc.

Well, I think this one is going to have to follow me into the next month. There were some improvements (eating a smidge better, drinking a little bit more water) but there are two fairly big areas where I didn't improve at all...

Not nearly enough of this...

Or this...

(3) Exploring Spring: Since last year, I have been loosely exploring (here and there) which version of warm and clear would suit me and I have landed in spring.

Last week, in Wednesday's post, I explained that I ordered my own coordinates from Color Alliance that I will be using with my virtual color analysis clients, but my first client was me, and I chose a different skin color coordinate than the other woman did.

Which makes me a vivid chestnut spring, instead of a contrasting chestnut spring. I had been waiting for my color palette for contrasting chestnut spring and when I got it, I knew it wasn't right. I knew I needed more color and more warmth than that, which proves how important each coordinate choice is. I have ordered the color palette for vivid chestnut spring and I should get it later today!!

I am not sure what it will look like (yet) but if I could choose, these are the colors I would pick...

How did your month go?

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!! (I can almost smell the hamburgers already.)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Having trouble deciding which season you are? I'd be happy to help!
Start the process of finding your season by taking my
seasonal color analysis quiz
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"When we find the set that enhances you above all the others, what we have really uncovered are the exact pigments already in your skin, in your body. When you then wear the colors you already are, you look like magic because your person and your attire is sending the same wavelength of energy to the viewer." ~~Christine Scaman, 12 Blueprints

Color Alliance & My Life as a Chestnut Spring

Color Alliance

A couple of weeks ago, I told you about my transition from autumn to spring. And I mentioned that a color analyst colleague of mine had used her system to determine that I am a contrasting chestnut spring.

Well, almost immediately afterward, I found out that Color Me Beautiful, with which I am already a consultant, bought that system to use for their very own. Not from the lady in NZ but from the original company here in the states, Color Alliance.

So we now have that computerized, scientific, personalized system of color analysis! Naturally, I was excited and immediately jumped in with both feet. 

After I got up to speed about how the system works, and bought my own set of color coordinates to use, I was ready to try it myself with my first victim (I mean, client): me! 

The process involves identifying skin, hair and eye colors to find a person’s season and then verifying it with the other color analysis tools that are part of the system. Though you don’t have to match the person’s colors exactly, you want the best overall representation of skin, hair and eyes.

Skin Color Analysis: What She Chose vs. What I Chose

The color that she chose to represent my skin color is definitely one of the variety of colors in my skin. But it is one of the lighter ones. Once I got my own hands on the coordinates we use, I looked at several different colors, all a part of my coloring, but decided to choose one of the richer ones (similar to those in the picture).


And I believe that is what I will do with clients, as well.

I think it is easier to experiment with softer and lighter colors we might wear, but sometimes we have no idea how rich we can go. And we either go too far or not far enough in our color choices. I want to know the upper limits, since my experience has been one of discovering more and more color possibility.

So, I chose a richer, but still accurate, representative of my skin color and that changed my season name from contrasting chestnut spring to vivid chestnut spring. And I’m sure you will not be surprised to hear that I am ordering that palette, too! And can’t wait to get it.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of my palette yet to show you, because we don’t get to see them until they arrive in the mail, but as soon as I get it, I will show it to you all.

What about Your Seasonal Color Analysis?

If you’re wondering when you can find out what your own three-word season is, using the Color Alliance system, we are almost ready! They are hard at work moving the system from one place to another, which sounds simple, but takes time. I will let you know as soon as it’s ready to go!!

But one big reason I am excited about this system is that it offers 16 seasons! For every season, there is light, true, vivid and contrasting. 

Vivid Chestnut Spring

Here is what my season means…

Vivid: Vivid means that my coloring combines bright and deep colors. “Your skin, hair, and eye coloring is mid-value to dark. Your best color combinations are bright and dark colors worn together. Your best single colors are bright.”

Chestnut: The chestnut category includes rich brown eye color, the deepest brown hair color and peachy, apricot or soft tan skin color. Yep, that’s me!

Spring: Spring means that my coloring is both warm and clear. “Spring tells you your coloring is warm, vibrant, and active. Your colors are clear, crisp, and warm. Neutrals have a touch of gold.”

I wonder what your season would be in this system. Have you ever been color-analyzed?

I am linking up today with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday, Melaina at Transatlantic Blonde for What I Wore Wednesday and A Stylish Little Lady for Life Lately (if she has it this Wed.)

COMING SOON: 
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"A unique system of color analysis, firmly grounded in scientific measurements & circumscribed by the timeless principles of art. 
It produces a color palette unique to you, 
specifically designed to complement your own skin, hair and eye color." 
–Color Alliance
Click here to find out more!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“When we find the set that enhances you above all the others, what we have really uncovered are the exact pigments already in your skin, in your body. When you then wear the colors you already are, you look like magic because your person and your attire is sending the same wavelength of energy to the viewer." ~~Christine Scaman, 12 Blueprints

"The spiritual path is a journey of surrendering who we aren’t in order to experience who we are." ~~Marianne Williamson

Summer Travel Capsule: A Reader's Request

Requested: A Warm Autumn Summer Travel Capsule

A reader emailed recently and asked for suggestions for a warm autumn travel capsule...

"I will be traveling overseas in July/August on a guided tour for seniors and the average temperature range is likely to be about 50 - 71 degrees. Could you advise me on a couple of neutrals and a couple of accent colors around which to build a 15-17 piece travel wardrobe?"

Absolutely! Here's what I came up with for her, using Nancy Nix-Rice's Core 4 formula, which takes 12 pieces and offers 96 outfits, as long as every piece matches every other piece. Though she asked for 15-17 pieces, she can add on a few more if she really wants to do so.

A Warm Autumn Core 4

"This magical wardrobe grouping starts with what I call a Core Four.  That’s two bottoms and two tops, all in your Key Neutral...Your hair color almost always points to your Key Neutral – your personal “basic black” – the anchor color for your wardrobe basics like trousers, classic skirts, jackets and tops." ~~Nancy Nix-Rice

I don't know her hair color, but I am cheating a little by going with 2 browns as the basic "black" and adding an extra piece to the core four pieces...

Warm Autumn Colors: brown, orange and ivory, so far. Here are the next four pieces I'd recommend, this time with our original four included so that you can see some of the different possible combinations...

Warm Autumn Capsule for Summer: The Final Three Four...

Since I didn't follow Nancy Nix-Rice's advice prescription precisely, I can't promise 96 outfits, once you add these next 3-4 pieces (I threw in an extra), but I feel quite sure they can get you through a lengthy summer vacation...

I am linking up today with Nina from Momma Go Round for Real Momma, Real Style, if she does it this week, to Kristin at BonBonRoseGirls for this week's Monday Mingle and to Not Dead, Yet Style for Visible Monday. On Wednesday, I will link up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday, Melaina at Transatlantic Blonde for What I Wore Wednesday and A Stylish Little Lady for Life Lately (if she has it this Wed.).

COMING SOON: 
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"A unique system of color analysis, firmly grounded in scientific measurements
and circumscribed by the timeless principles of art. It produces a color palette unique to you, specifically designed to complement your own skin, hair and eye color." –Color Alliance
Click here to find out more!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"When we find the set that enhances you above all the others, what we have really uncovered are the exact pigments already in your skin, in your body. When you then wear the colors you already are, you look like magic because your person and your attire is sending the same wavelength of energy to the viewer." ~~Christine Scaman, 12 Blueprints

May Goals: How Did You Do this Week?

We're in the home stretch now, more behind us than ahead! How are you guys doing this week?

(1) Preparing for My Fashion Feng Shui Course: It begins at the end of the month (this is what I was saving for last month) and there are a few assignments I need to get done before it starts.

I am done, baby!! I did both of the assignments and they are here and here if you want to take a peek. Anyone familiar with last year's Easter disaster story will be amused to see that dress show up as an answer to a question.

(2) Healthy Changes: Sleep more, slow down, eat better, drink more water, etc.

Um. Confession: I am staying up way too late!! Gotta work on that and frankly, the other ones, too. Though my eating has been a little healthier this week, in some ways. Well, healthier for me. LOL! Baby steps on that one.

(3) Exploring Spring: Since last year, I have been loosely exploring (here and there) which version of warm and clear would suit me and finally, I think I have landed in spring.

I am having a blast exploring spring, and the only change is that I am finding out that I am a more vivid deep (or chestnut) spring than I had thought. Unfortunately it means that that color palette I showed you last week is not quite right. I will explain that in more detail in next Wednesday's post. But meanwhile, say goodbye to contrasting chestnut spring...

How was your week?

COMING SOON: 
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"A unique system of color analysis, firmly grounded in scientific 
measurements & circumscribed by the timeless principles of art. 
It produces a color palette unique to you, 
specifically designed to complement your own skin, hair and eye color." 
–Color Alliance
Click here to find out more! ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"When we find the set that enhances you above all the others, what we have really uncovered are the exact pigments already in your skin, in your body. When you then wear the colors you already are, you look like magic because your person and your attire is sending the same wavelength of energy to the viewer." ~~Christine Scaman, 12 Blueprints

What I Want to Wear

If I could try out a whole new wardrobe just to see what was what, these would be some of the colors I'd choose.These colors aren't all in my deep spring palette but they are in light spring and my coloring matches some of the colors in that palette, too.

Once I get my new color palette, what I would probably do is add in some of the deep colors with these.

And here's what I've been wearing. Not an exact match to colors in that Polyvore, but close enough!

What about you? What colors and styles and shiny new things have you tried lately?

COMING SOON: 
 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"A unique system of color analysis, firmly grounded in scientific measurements & circumscribed by the timeless principles of art. 
It produces a color palette unique to you, 
specifically designed to complement your own skin, hair and eye color." 
–Color Alliance
Click here to find out more!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"When we find the set that enhances you above all the others, what we have really uncovered are the exact pigments already in your skin, in your body. When you then wear the colors you already are, you look like magic because your person and your attire is sending the same wavelength of energy to the viewer." ~~Christine Scaman, 12 Blueprints

Mother's Day

Mother's Day

This year, for Mother's Day, one of my best friends was in town for the weekend, and I was planning to have brunch with her and her family!! I hadn't seen her in years, so naturally, I wanted to look my best.

These were the outfits I was considering...

(1) Brown/green handkerchief shirt w/ khaki pants ~ needs bright scarf
(2) Green duster, orange tank, khaki pants w/ scarf
(3) Brown lace cardigan, ivory pullover, camel pants, scarf (see below)

The only one that doesn't involve at least a slight compromise with my contrasting chestnut spring color palette is the third one, although my green duster is a lighter version of a color in my palette and might be okay.

She called yesterday morning and had to cancel because her little boy was sick and they'd been up all night and were on their way back home so they could take him to his doctor in VA. So I stayed home in my pjs.

But here's the outfit I was going to wear and might wear when I see my own mom later this week...

What did you wear?

Mother's Day Card

My cutie-patootie son made me this card and then, we colored it together. On the front of the card is a bench for sitting on and watching the boats in the water. Inside the card, I am dancing with him, dancing alone, relaxing with a glass of sweet tea, & as a really old lady, enjoying a game of bingo. :)

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

I am linking up today with Nina from Momma Go Round for Real Momma, Real Style, if she does it this week, to MomTrends for this week's Monday Mingle and to Not Dead, Yet Style for Visible Monday. On Wednesday, I will link up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday, Melaina for What I Wore Wednesday and A Stylish Little Lady for Life Lately (if she has it this Wed.).

 COMING SOON: 

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"A unique system of color analysis, firmly grounded in scientific measurements
and circumscribed by the timeless principles of art. It produces a color palette unique to you, specifically designed to complement your own skin, hair and eye color." –Color Alliance
Click here to find out more!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"When we find the set that enhances you above all the others, what we have really uncovered are the exact pigments already in your skin, in your body. When you then wear the colors you already are, you look like magic because your person and your attire is sending the same wavelength of energy to the viewer." ~~Christine Scaman, 12 Blueprints