Fall 2012 Color Trends

I hate to say this, but Fall is just around the corner. I'm trying to get myself excited about it, so I've been looking into trends and checking out F/W 2012 lookbooks. I always use color as my starting point, so it goes without saying that I've been referring to Pantone's Fashion Color Report a lot.

I needed a place to collect my "thoughts", so I started a collection on SocialBliss. Here are a few of my favorites:

"French Roast" Pantone 19-1012: Polka Dot pants from J.Crew

Honey Gold and Ultramarine Green at Kate Spade

"Olympian Blue" Pantone 19-4056: Viv Patent Flats from J.Crew

Rose Smoke" Pantone 14-1506: Chloe F/W 2012

"Tangerine Tango" Pantone 17-1463: As seen at VersaceF/W 2012

Note: Tangerine Tango is Pantone's Color of the Year!

Update: Cee brought up a good point in a comment on this post: Are these really Fall colors? They seem too bright. Well, my argument is that, yes, I think these work for Fall. Maybe not all together, and maybe you won't really feel like wearing them till later, but when you get sick of black and brown, these colors will be a nice pick-me-up for your wardrobe. Still having trouble imagining how to wear them? Think mod-meets-cocktail-party, like at Kate Spade in the F/W 2012 collection. 

Personally, I don't like how the colors look all grouped together, and I'm not a huge fan of Pink Flambe or Rhapsody (the pink and purple circles), but I know, once I've had my fill of navy and burgundy, a shift dress in Tangerine Tango will be just the thing! 

For more Fall Color Trend reading:

Color Trends: Fall/Winter 2012

The blogger's tool kit

My blog posts have gotten all out of order. I'm pretty behind, too. I post pictures on Chictopia and Lookbook the next day, if not the same day I take them. It takes a little longer for the picture to end up on my blog, though. I should probably prioritize a little better, but a blog post takes a little more thought! This post was actually started long ago, but got interrupted. Many of you have probably even seen these pictures already on Lookbook, etc.

Back to prioritizing... I'm not convinced the blog is the most important place for someone to share their musings and outfits. Sure it is more personalized and presents a broader perspective of you as a stylist (chef, crafter, etc.), but it's also harder for company and fashion reps to find, unless you have a huge, well-established fan base.

Which brings me to another topic, how do you establish that fan base? Do you just wait around and hope a persons random Google search leads them here? Or even more reliable, wait for them to Stumble your blog; that could take a 100 years! That's why sites like Chictopia, Lookbook, and even Hypeed (my least favorite, read why) are such important tools! I've been contacted for features and events through Lookbook more often than any of the other websites or services I use, even my own blog! I think one reason is that these sites, or communities, are almost like having a built-in fan base. The readers are right at your finger tips. They only have to search for "stripes" or "American Apparel" as opposed to entire sentences that magically have something to do with your blog. It still takes some work, but you are definitely more visible within these communities. Think of the internet as the ocean, and fashion communities as a smaller inlet or harbor connected to the ocean. It's much easier for the big fish (clothing companies, magazines, etc.) to catch the little fish in a smaller body of water, instead of trying to track them down in the ocean. Ok, so that's not a perfect metaphor. Unless we're talking about Anna Wintour, these bigger fish I speak of aren't actually gonna eat you, but you are part of the fashion food chain now!

The next thing to do is attract the fans you've gained in fashion communities to your blog, which is where you are going to show people that you have the brains, style, and charisma to make it in a sea of other fashion blogs. This is something I'm still working on; my writing skills are not as strong as I'd like them to be, I run out of topics, and I need to find a photographer I'm comfortable with, but I am 100% dedicated to this blog and drive can make all the difference. If you work hard at something you are passionate about, you will at least enjoy the ride, even if it doesn't get you exactly where you wanna be.Check out my latest feature on STYLEPANTRY.COM!!!

In this outfit:

Thrifted United Colors of Benetton sweater

Forever21 skirt

Chloe Prince Calf flats

Vintage purse

poor neglected hobbies

Oh man, it's been a WHILE. My poor blog, my poor readers (you guys have nothing else to do but read blogs, right?)

I have a whole list of excuses, but mostly they are boring and/or sad. Nobody wants to hear about how my dog has become horribly sensitive to things she eats or the disgusting results that!

You might want to hear about our "We got married!" party, but I will tell you more about that when I get more pictures. I had so many friends documenting it that I want to use at least one of each of their pictures in a special blog entitled "Look at me! I got married and I KNOW everyone wants to hear about it!" It's a very long title, but it gets the point across. I am waiting on the last of the photos to be "published" and then I will show you all how PRETTY I looked haha (some of you have already seen on Facebook).

Ok, so back to the point of this blog, I've finally had the chance to take some outfit photos and they turned out pretty well. I am getting a little sick of the background, but whatcha gonna do? I am still not gutsy enough to set up a tripod where people can see me.

Have you heard all the hubub about midi skirts? I've read so many articles (Vogue, Wall Street Journal, etc.) about buying them for Fall, that I must say I am very relieved that I bought so many last Spring! I am all set! I have this lovely velvet one that I've had for years and years, then a full one in black cotton, an A-line in black velvet, a striped jersey knit, and a figure-hugging style in dark green velvet. Hmm, that's a lot of velvet...
If you are midi-less, I recommend heading over to Forever21 where they have a few really cute full skirts. All of them have a 1950's feel, which, my darlings, is a trend that is just not dying out!

This look is kind of my nod to Chloe's past few seasons. Somebody really loves this burnt umber color. It's so striking and unexpected, who can blame them?

This outfit:
J.Crew chambray shirt
Vintage velvet skirt
Vintage Coach bag
Vintage leather belt and wooden bracelet

gowns

Wedding attire was the topic of the day. I spent hours at University Village with my fiance's sister and even splurged on a British Vogue that is a special wedding issue.

I nearly spent $500 on a beautiful dream-gown at J.Crew, but opted for more casual, fun, and unique. All I have to say is that I will be wearing ALL American Apparel when we get married on Thursday. (Makes me laugh)

The dress I wanted at J.Crew looked almost exactly like the one I am wearing in these photos. Same color and length with an empire waist; same column style. The Taryn, as J.Crew calls it, is made of silk chiffon, though, and has a twisted bodice instead of a smocked bodice. Mine is definitely more casual, but you can't beat $10!


Everything is happening all of a sudden, but it's ok. I was a little worried I was missing out on the traditions of longer engagements, but this weekend we bought an engagement ring, so I'm happy :) Especially since it is my dream ring. Sapphire is all I wanted. I could careless about everything else when it comes to engagement rings.

I'm sure you noticed it's on the wrong finger, but at the moment it doesn't fit me! We need to have it for the ceremony, so we've postponed having it re-sized till afterward.

Back to writing announcements :)

In these photos:
Forever21 dress
J.Crew cardigan
Chloe flats
Sapphire & diamond ring from Alana Antique & Estate Jewelry

Saturday

Finally a Saturday off! My boyfriend and I went to our favorite Seattle neighborhood, Ballard, to check out the newly-remodeled Field House. They seem to have made it bigger, but I'm not sure how. Maybe just took down shelving. Also, I'm hoping their plan is to get more products, because it seemed kind of empty.

The concept behind the store is pretty neat. They carry a lot of things that an old general store would have; pipes, wool blankets, eggs and milk, penny candy, new and vintage clothing (mostly men's), and the wonderful mending kits shown below.


These mending kits are assembled by hand by the Field House employees and come with everything you need to keep your clothes tip-top. I have a thing for kits, and couldn't pass them up. My favorite feature is the pincushion affixed to the top of the lid. Such a great idea!

As for clothes at Field House, I have included a picture of my boyfriend, who could be a poster-child for the store. Levi's, Filson jacket, bandanna, vintage boots; he really should work there.

In These Photos:

J.Crew Cardigan

Thrifted top & scarf

Ray Ban Wayfarers

Zella Leggings

Chloe Flats

Aldo Bag

COVET.

Introducing Chloe's silk crepe de Chine shirt dress. This is the epitome of my taste in clothes. Simple, soft, understated, yet still luxe. (Not to say this always translates. Sometimes it comes off as just understated and mostly boring.) This dress is also the perfect example of why I love Chloe; the perfect balance of glamor and practicality. I just read Net-A-Porter's description of this dress and my statements are confirmed: "Perfect understated elegance..." Judging by the photos on Net-A-Porter, it looks even better on than when it's on the hanger.



There are two reasons I will never own this dress: 1. There are only size sixes left on Net-A-Porter. Oh, and 2. It costs $1,990. It comes with the little leather belt, so I guess it's like getting two items for, well, $1000 a piece.

I think I will try talking my dad into buying this as my wedding gown... I can already hear him laughing at me.

I guess I will be happy with Chloe Intense. At $98, it's a tad more affordable, and it smells the way I like to imagine the Chloe design firm does. If cashmere and silk had a smell, it would be this.


Chloe Intense is available at Nordstrom
The dress is available at Net-A-Porter

Downtown

So tonight was the Shipley & Halmos shoot. I was suppose to meet my friend Jesse at Barney's, but forgot my phone when I left to nanny and didn't have time to go back and get it. I was able to send him a message on Facebook. We agreed to meet around 6pm or so, but I didn't get there till 6:30. It took me an hour to go about 2 miles! Next time I need to skip the errands and just tackle the traffic and parking hell that is Seattle.

Anyway, I never saw Jesse, but made it just in time for the end of the shoot. I was the last photo of the last stop on their tour! I got to meet the Shipley and the Halmos. They're very nice, good looking, and of course well dressed! Mr. Halmos had on an oxford shirt and tortoise shell frames, both always catch my eye. Mr. Shipley had hair like mine, haha. I only got to see one of my photos, a portrait, which was very nice. I was so nervous, I can't imagine any of the other ones turned out. I get such nerves that I lose control over my body and forgot all of my posing strategies. I will never be a model! Thank God I follow direction pretty well!

I filled out the release and they gave me a card with the URL of where the pictures will be uploaded. The best was when one of the ladies at Barney's told me they were so glad I had my picture taken and that they were hoping I would, because my look was exactly what they (Shipley & Halmos) were looking for. That made my night :) Then the employee and I had a little girly time going on and on about how we wanted the other one's hair (she had wavy, I have straight). Haha, girls are really silly sometimes. Trust me, I know, I am one of the silliest.

black+white

Nothing feels more pulled together than black and white. Crisp, clean and contrasting, it stands out without trying too hard; is casual yet sophisticated. Since they are the ruling King and Queen of Basics, there's no need to hunt high and low for them.

I found this blouse at H&M and decided to add it to my collection of "Mime Styles", haha. It will look so fabulous with a beret! And Trevor will make fun of me, but that's OK because berets are a little ridiculous! Seriously though, is this any different from when I was a little girl and would dress up like Snow White or Mowgli? I am 26 now and still change my outfit at least 3 times a day.




This series:
H&M Blouse
Mossimo leggings
Chloe Prince Calf flats
Juicy Couture charm necklace

In recovery

This past school year I had 5 jobs: nanny, tutor, barrista, property manager, and office manager. But when June came those jobs dwindled to 4-ish, and they're very off and on. It's nice to have the time off, but the flow of dolla bills is not as steady. So I've decided that blowing $300 on a pair of Chloe flats in the 2nd week of June may not have been the best idea, especially since about a month afterward I had to put $975 into my car. I am slowly recovering, but it is a painful recovery.

But OH! how I love my Chloe flats with the ankle straps!

In this photo:
Sheer floral top by Jo-Yana
Tank-top from Forever21
Brass Plum skirt circa 1990
Prince Calf gray flats by Chloe