Pantone Color of the Year 2014 - Radiant Orchid

This week Pantone announced their color of the year for 2014 - Radiant Orchid. It is a beautiful mix and not too purply. It has great pink/gray undertones that make for a really nice subtle color from the purple family. I think this color will do great in many different markets, fashion, interiors, and even weddings. "While the 2013 color of the year, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. Love the color?! Great news, Pantone and Valspar paint announced the addition of PANTONE Radiant Orchid, to the PANTONE UNIVERSE Paint Collection by Valspar available exclusively at Lowe's stores nationwide. Woohoo, paint the town orchid!  Below is some of my favorite visual inspiration images that Pantone posted on their Pinterest, isn't this the most lovely color. 

xoxo, dnb

Outfit Diary #3

Todays outfit diary I am obsessed over. This outfit was so comfortable (it felt like I was bumming it) and I love that. It seemed effortless to put together, something I sometimes struggle with. It is appropriate for  a casual outing as well as semi-casual! I wore it to school for the first day of the semester. I seem to always be an hour away from home at school many days so, I need to have outfits that are comfortable to sit in all day and also have a slim chance of malfunctioning (I cant just drive an hour casually to change!). Back to the outfit-  I have a love for structured polyester shirts. If they are made correctly they can have great structure and they look nicer (and dressier) than a cotton fabric. SO I paired my shirt with the MOST COMFORTABLE jeggings from Macy's. If you don't own any I would suggest to invest in some, my best decision ever. My chain necklace is also a trend i've fell in love with recently, and I finally found one I liked at forever 21. Stacking rings has also become one of my favorite things. My favorite things change ALOT but adding a few extra rings gives the look something a little extra, and i'll always go for a little extra bling! So stack em' up! Slightly transitioning into dark fall colors, I still wanted to have a semi-summer look so I paired my attire with nude flats. Saving the best for last I want to talk about my purse for a second.......because I just love it so much. Kate Spade makes the cutest purses, jewelry, tech items, totes, shoes, clothes...okay i'm done. But seriously everything is amazing! This purse is perfect to complete any look.

Top: Forever21

Pants: Macy's 

Shoes: Express

Jewelry: Forever21

Purse: Kate Spade

Sunglasses: Francescas Collections 

xoxo- dnb

Finding Your Personal Style

 

 

"Listen to your inner voice. First instincts are usually the right ones. Choose items that you feel comfortable wearing, and don't be afraid to try new things. Most important, feel good about what you're wearing. Choose a wardrobe that reflects your lifestyle, your passions, and your dreams."
Donatella Versace

Today's post is all about finding your own personal style, how to go about doing this, and a few tips to help. Some people really struggle with this and it is kind of a tough slump to get out of. Maybe you arent around people that care about fashion at all, like I was when I first starting becoming really interested in it. From personal experience I know how it feels... to want to dress fashionably.. but youre scared of what people will think, or feel like you dont know what looks good together. Honestly I myself, cant even directly put a catergory on my personal style, I just buy anything I like and I think will look good on me. Whether it be on 'trend' or not. I think the most important thing about any outfit is just feeling confident in what you're wearing. Wear what you feel good in and dont let the clothes wear you! Confidence is key.

 

 

Here are some of my most favortie fashion tips I have ever come across! Seriously, they are amazing and so true.

 

SHOP SOLO: You'll be able to concentrate more on what you are trying to find and what you want. This is something I really have been doing recently and I love it. I dont have to worry about opinions from friends or family that effect my purchasing decisions. Countless times I have left an item I love because of one opinon from who im shopping with!

 

OPEN YOUR MIND: Always take one "its cute but not really my style" thing into the dressing room. You never know! Usually these are the items I end up getting, something different!

 

ORGANIZE YOUR CLOSET: Organize your closet. This way you'll be able to see what you own (and actually wear it). Separate your clothes by garment. Figure out what needs to be hanged. Use storage shelfs for purses and buy a shoe rack. I have my closet organized by garment, (blouses, tanks, tshirts) Then by color. I have a hanging shoe rack and also a shelfing unit shoe rack, keeps everything super organized! Also you should be able to see everything you have without rummaging. Make sure your clothes have breathing room and every 6 months to a year clean it out and donate! (I'll admit, i'm a clothes hoarder....I have a hard time getting rid of them!)

 

ACCESSORIES: Accessories are always, always, always a good buy. Spend most of your budget on it! Having the right pieces of accessories can make and outfit from dull to amazing. A statement purse or necklace is perfect for dressing up any plain shirt. Its always a good idea to accessorize in color, it adds so much energy and creativness to any outfit. Surprisingly color purses are super versitile and can go with a lot more than you think. Once you have that under control try wearing a neutral based outfit with shoes a bag two different complementary colors! The right extras can make you feel more relaxed about the rest of your outfit.

 

KNOW YOUR JEANS: The secret to a soft and formfitting jean is 95% cotton and %5 Lycra! For jeans to hold their shape they need at least 2% Lycra.

 

LAYER YOUR NECKLACES: Coco Chanels more-is-more approach still makes a statement today. Layer up! It adds originality to your outfit and makes it more interesting!

 

PAIR LOOSE WITH TIGHT: This is what leggings are made for yall, the thing I hear all the time is "leggings are not pants" well yes I agree in some cases, but here is really how you wear leggings. Pair them with oversized tops, sweaters, blazers, shirts...(make sure all the right things are covered) The shirt has to be long and flow with the type of leggings you have or else you will be the one everyone is staring at in the mall and cause someone to tweet or facebook the infamous "OMG leggings are not pants, how do people not understand this?!" quote. Be careful! Here some examples of the correct way! If you want to be safe go with a pair of 'jeggings' leggings that are still technically jeans, they are super comfy yet you can still get the chic tight-loose look with them!

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed todays post! Comment, like, or share and let me know what you think!

 

xoxo dnb