WALK ON THE WILD SIDE!

Zebra is everywhere this year. Frankly, I've never even given it a nod, it seemed a little juvenile. But, with the new Spring releases I'm taking a second look. If you can pull off a full zebra jacket or sweater I say, "go for it"  Even as an accessory, its got the "wow factor."  Either way you won't be lost in a crowd!

My favorite thing about zebra is that it looks fabulous with hot pink. I just purchased these fun zebra TOMS and can't wait to wear them with a pink jacket, white cami and my favorite black linen ankle pants. At $28.00 the necklace from Norstrom gives it that tribal edge.

 Its a WALK ON THE WILD SIDE!

                      TOMS $54.00                                              NECKLACE NORDSTROM $28.00

Be sure to google "TOMS coupons" and take advantage of $5.00 off and FREE shipping.

ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE!

Big chunky necklaces are the hot accessory this season. Just looking at them gives me the same rush I use to get when I rifled through my mother's costume jewelry drawer as a little girl. They remind me of an old line from the musical CARNIVAL ... "Beautiful candy, too pretty to eat!" 

This gorgeous necklace popped up on the BANANA REPUBLIC website today. Originally priced at $98.00... with the online sale it is $63.00 and FREE shipping! It would make a bold statement paired with this ZEBRA JACKET ... coming soon to Talbots $198.

                     NORDSTROM sale price $48.00                 NORDSTROM Tory Burch $225.00

GREAT NECKLACES but at very different price points.  There is somethings for everyone. Bold jewelry is not an accessory that I have ever worn but I am dazzled by it.  I am looking for just the right piece and maybe I can pull it off. Guess I need to push a few limits.

Do you love jewlery? What's your favorite piece to wear? I'd love to hear from you.

NEUTRALS...THE WORKHORSES

I love this"Little Black Dress" but it somehow didn't feel appropriate for a 64 year old.  I found "my version" of it... a simple black lace sheath that falls to the knee. It even has a grograin ribbon around the waist with a small flat bow. We're never too old!

 

I use to watch an HGTV home decorating show called Christopher Lowell.  He was kind of a crazy guy who made me laugh. I quickly learned he knew his stuff.  He has a book out called The Seven Layers of Design... available from Amazon. When he designs a room he starts with the wall color (that's a topic for another day) and then moves on to the "big ticket items" the furniture. His advise is... KEEP IT NEUTRAL.

That doesn't mean boring beige. It means brown, black, tan, grey, white or navy, even denim. Within that spectrum he uses tweeds and textures and even glen plaids Then he makes everything pop with color and pattern in his choices of drapes, pillows and throws. These things are less expensive and more easily replaced if you get tired of them. I looked at my big floral chair. Yes I was tired of it and it was going to cost a lot to replace it.  He completely changed my approach to decorating.

So... when I was faced with a near empty closet, Christopher's theory came to mind.  If it worked in decorating a room, which it did, then it should work with decorating ME. I began with the neutrals. I bought skirts and pants and sweaters and jackets and coats, even handbags and shoes in a variety of browns and blacks and greys.

I purchased a beautiful mid calf brown wool skirt but I also bought a knee length brown tweed with godets.  "Who knew" there was such variety of colors and shading within each neutral. I indulged in a full length Fleurette Italian wool black dress coat. Now six years old and going strong its classic design will never be out of style. Once I got a few basics, accessorizing with bold patterns and prints in beautiful colors made everything "POP"  

There is nothing boring about a neutral. If carefully selected, and infused with a variety of textures and hues, it is the perfect jumping off place. Your choices will become the WORKHORSES of your wardrobe.

What is your favorite basic wardrobe piece? I would love to hear from you.

THE SCENT OF A WOMAN

Every woman wants to smell good. For some that's as fresh as soap and water and others its a trip down the perfume aisle. Prior to writing this article about the Gardenia's role in making perfume, I had never heard of a Top, Middle or Base note. I learned a lot. Read it, it might make buying your next bottle of perfume more interesting.

• Article written by contributing editor Suzanne Roberson for E-How  http://www.ehow.com/info_8609815_perfume-gardenia-oil.html#ixzz2riQRHN7Y

The process of combining aromatic compounds and essential oils to produce perfume is complicated but fascinating. The ingredients are arranged in a way that allows for vaporization and evaporation in a predictable, staggered pattern.This is referred to as a "musical metaphor." There is a top note, a middle note and a base note. The heady scent of the gardenia, which is widely used in the making of perfumes, is considered osmically balanced. In other words, it is perfectly balanced and contains all three notes.

The Top Note

• The top note or head note is what we smell when the perfume is first sprayed and is the determining factor in its ability to sell. It has a lighter scent and evaporates quickly, usually in about 10 minutes. This evaporation is followed by the vaporization of the second note. The gardenia is often used as the top note, emitting a delicate fragrance that is described as intoxicating.

                The Middle Note

• The middle note or "heart note" may be evident from the beginning but does not fully develop for 10 to 30 minutes. When a perfume is categorized, such as fruity or floral, it is the middle note that is being described. This note covers the base note, allowing it time to mellow and become pleasant. Gardenia is also used in this position and is often combined with other scents such as orchid or lily of the valley.
• 
  

The Base Note

• Base notes have a grounding effect on the perfume. They have the greatest molecular weight, slowing down the evaporation rate of the lighter notes and allowing the fragrance to last. The base note becomes most noticeable about an hour after the initial spray. Each note has a role to play and all are needed for the final harmonious effect. Because the gardenia is so well balanced it can also act as a base note, giving the perfume depth and longevity.

Antique Perfume Bottles

A Single Flower Perfume

• Most perfumes today are floral bouquets, a combination of sometimes dozens of scents. The gardenia plays an important role in many popular fragrances. Its beautiful white pedals are crushed and refined to extract an essential oil that is powerful. Although a key player in the perfume industry, this sweet smelling flower is still one of the few that can stand on its own. With its perfectly balanced nature and its ability to create its own "musical metaphor," it is still used as a single flower perfume.
• What's your favorite perfume?  I would love to her from you.

PINK IS AN ATTITUDE

My eighth granddaughter is about to be born and even her name, "Elsa" evokes softness. I plan to swaddle her in a delicious pink knit blanket. Many of us started that way... wrapped in the softness and aura of pink.  It is the quintessential essence of femininity. Synonymous with Spring it's both dainty and delicious, but make no mistake, it can also pack a punch.

When I began to put my life back together and fill my very empty closet, I was surprised that I just never felt comfortable wearing pink.  I thought it was lovely and sometimes even breathtaking, just not for me.

I had lost my "PINK"  

Through all the years of a difficult marriage and stresses with family and finances I had let it slip away. I didn't feel young, or feminine or even pretty... I wasn't worthy of pink!  

A bed is a big deal in a marriage. The most intimate of places, it holds our dreams and sometimes even our secrets. Sleeping alone in a bed I had shared for years was painful so I made myself a guest in the next room. Then one day I was walking through the Bassett Furniture store and saw this. I was smitten. It was purchased and my daughters and daughters- in-laws put this very heavy bed together... on their own. (there's pink with a punch)

This is the picture from the showroom at Bassett Furniture

I draped the bed in linens and comforters in varying shades of pink and cream and white. Now when I slip beneath the covers I feel pampered and even pretty. It has become my sanctuary. The place where I read and study and cry and pray and hope and finally allow myself, my feminine self, to dream. I have found my pink. It's an attitude that allows me to value myself and to feel beautiful again, 

WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?

Click on the links below...

        

                  Dooney & Bourke Handbag $298                                     Fox Scarf $22.99 Navy or Grey

When I stumbled across this darling scarf on the Mod Cloth website I couldn't help but laugh.  It's the FOX!!!  No words are needed,  paired with a denim jacket, comfortable dark grey cords and your favorite boots. (almost any neutral color will do) I couldn't resist the Dooney & Bourke handbag.  Found it on Amazon discounted a $100.00 with FREE shipping and no tax!

NOTE - Notice how many textures there are in this outfit... nap on the corduroy, suede on the boots, nubby socks, leather and shearling on the handbag and denim. Things are always more interesting with a variety of textures.

Official You Tube Clip

TOWARD SPRING

I love it when the new catalogs come. It's so conventient to browse and then shop online. I am always looking to add timeless pieces to my wardrobe... things I can dress up or down and things I will go to season after season.  Look what I found on the Talbots webside... 

Classic Boat Shoe in denim or stripe $89.50   I can see the denim pair well broken in and becoming a "go to" favorite for Summer.

Chambray Polka Dot Shirt $69.50   With princess seams that give it a flattering fit this a great wardrop basic. It's a no brainer with navy or red but perhaps a jean jacket, white denims and a great chunky orange necklace would spice it up.

                             

                                     Orange Toms  $48.00                  Nordstrom $58.00

NOTE - If you order Toms from their website you will find there is FREE shipping now through April 1st.   E-mail me suzanne881@msn.com and I can send you an invitation from TOMS to receive $20.00 off your first pair.

Pearl Taffeta Anorak in Red $159.00  Red is a color that I have only recently felt comfortable wearing and this jacket seems stylish but still casual. I'm excited to see the fabric in person... pearl taffeta sounds like it would have a sheen. It's worth a look.