by | Jan 23, 2011 | Fashion |
Today I have the pleasure of swapping post with JTwisdom. Our featured topic is the color of the year. This is a unique opportunity to get two different perspectives on the same topic. Check out her post on my blog, The House in the Clouds.
Honeysuckle. Sweet, fragrant, optimistic. Reminiscent of happy times and the official color of the year for 2011. By now you might have heard the news, it was officially announced in December 2010.
Ever wonder why you can’t find the perfect shade of red or blue to match an item you bought several years ago, especially when at the time it seemed like that color was everywhere? It’s likely that your color is not longer on trend. It will be next to impossible to find a perfect match to the shade you already have. You’re better off finding something like looks good with it, rather than something to match the hue perfectly.
Why is that? Why are there color trends? Color trends reflect economic and social climates along with art, fashion and entertainment worldwide. They affect everything from cosmetics to fashion to home decorating to design. One need not follow trends for the trends to follow them. Experts around the world study us and develop recommendations based on the conclusion of their studies. 2009 brought us turquoise, 2011 brings us honeysuckle. It’s not only the color of the year but the defining hue for spring 2011.
“Honeysuckle is energizing. It lifts spirits and imparts confidence to meet life’s ongoing challenges.” – Pantone
Professional organizations like Pantone and Color Marketing Group are made up of experts and researchers who follow trends and forecast color up to 18 months in advance. These findings are studied, discussed and debated until the next color is agreed upon. Pantone is the defining standard for color consistency in production and design by means of swatch books for industries such as graphic design, industrial design, fashion and home decorating. Color Marketing Group is a professional organization consisting of color experts from around the world that determine color trends.
Here are some expressions that we can expect to see.
MichelleObamaViasSnsationalcolor.com
RubyBloomRingViaLinkelDesigns
by | Jan 22, 2011 | Blogging / Technology |
I just came across this cool effort to make your blog carbon neutral. It’s a initiative to cut down more of your carbon footprint. Even though we don’t use paper when we post on are blogs we still leave a carbon footprint.
The site To Make Your Blog Carbon Neutral mission is stated below.
“My blog is carbon neutral” is an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it Green” programme, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We plant a tree for your blog and thereby neutralise your blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years! Everyone can make a small contribution to the environment. Every tree counts!”
Isn’t this so cool! All you have to do is write a short post about the mission, email the link to the email address on the site, and make sure you pick up a “My Blog Is Now Carbon Neutral” button to put on your blog.
The trees are planted in Plumas National Forest by the Arbor Day Foundation which is their partner in the US.
This is such a good cause that every blogger should get on board.
by | Jan 21, 2011 | FBFF |
First off lets define what authenticity means.
Authenticity is defined according to Dictionary.com as genuineness, legitimacy. Being true to who you are as a person no misconceptions or puffed up information.
Monday, January 17th we celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. If anyone epitomizes authenticity, it is him. I have include a video of Dr. King delivering his famous “I have A Dream Speech.”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk[/youtube]
When I hear the speech, I think about being a “for real person” in every area of my life. No, I am not perfect; but as I have said before, I’m a work in progress.
As I sit down to write, I think to myself when I put together posts for my blog.
What is real? What is a misconception of truth?
I have to think about what kind of content I want to put on my blog. My blog represents me, so it should have my voice. Well that’s what we are talking about this week on Friend Friday with Katy Rose of modlychic.
What does my blog say about me?
Question 1. Most readers and fellow fashion bloggers value authenticity in the blogs they read. How would you describe blog/blogger authenticity?
Blogger authenticity is creating your own content and not using articles from other venues and calling them your own. Reposting an exact article does not seem authentic to me. In contrast, posting an article and putting my own personal spin on it makes it more authentic because I am expressing my opinion on how I feel about the subject matter. If an article is only regurgitated and there is nothing further, it is useless to me because I can look at the original article if I wanted to see that.
For example, WWD.com posted an article about Rachel Zoe on January 11th, entitled “Rachel Zoe: Mother of Invention.” The article, written by Jessica Iredale, informs the reader about Zoe’s new clothing line. Rachel Zoe is very popular as you know and a lot of people think that just the mention of her name in the title or linking that article will get some hits; but that is not necessarily the case. The title or the link may get a visitor to a particular site, but what’s going to make them stay there and eventually want to come back.
Rache Zoe WWD.com
A fashion merchandising course I had taken about a year ago encouraged me to read different articles and then write about what I thought in great detail. I had to take my own spin at writing a response to an article that had intrigued me. By doing that sort of assignment, it made me feel that it was my writing and I was being real.
Question 2. When it comes to your blog how do you infuse it with that true/authentic feeling?
I think that getting my voice for this blog took some time. I am still growing; but I believe that when people read my blog they can get a little inkling of what’s in my makeup. I do not use this blog as a platform to discuss my personal life; but I do use it to showcase the pretty things I enjoy wearing, making or any other thing that may suit my fancy. By doing this I know that I stay true blue and real.
Question 3. Have you stopped following a blog in the last three months? What made you lose interest?
This is an odd question in regards to authenticity but I will answer to the best of my ability.
I have stopped following a couple in the last three months because:
1. The focus has changed a complete 360, so what I originally followed the blog for is no longer the blogger’s interest.
2. Conflict of personal style ethics.
3. I do not have time to read a lot of blogs and my Google reader was full.
Question 4. We can’t communicate effectively on our blogs, something we don’t live in real life… what are some ways you try to live an authentic life?
I have to write about the way I live my life. I think that it would be very hard for me to write a fairy tale and a half truth. I don’t pull any punches in life so I don’t hold back on my blog either. What you see is what you get, plain and simple. When I was younger I would see kids try to follow that cool kid and would try to imitate their persona. That is not the case with me. I have to be me and dress myself for what works for me and my body shape.
Question 5. Give a shout-out… Which bloggers do you think are truly genuine and why?
This is a trick question, right? Okay really, I would hope that the majority of bloggers are genuinely real on their blogs.
I can see a deep and heavy discussion: Bloggers aren’t celebrities; but in some aspects there is a similarity because you don’t really know them unless you have met them personally. Is this true?
I can say that the bloggers I have come to know through reading their blogs are really special and I think they’re all genuine. How could I say different. I have met some of the nicest people who have either said something nice to keep me trudging along or helped me with my blog in some way. I am experiencing all this goodness because I created this little blog here in lifestyle blogdom.
It’s pretty amazing how a person through blogging lets you into a small fraction of their life, so I am not going to name names.
Seeing that small fraction of a person’s story is precious in itself.
——————–
Postscript
I will be doing a future post on whom I think in the blogger community is truly authentic. After reading some comments I realize that it’s okay. I didn’t name names because sometimes people feel intimidated or ask questions of why didn’t you pick me but I don’t want people to feel that way instead I hope people will feel encouraged.
by | Jan 19, 2011 | Around the Home |
The Backyard - Photo by JT
Freshly fallen snow is so peaceful and beautiful at the same time. I love when the snow flurries gently touches my face and disappears in an instant.
This year’s winter weather in Missouri has been reminiscent of what winters used to be like when I was a little girl. It actually snowed here last week. That snow was almost gone before it was predicted for it to return this evening. It’s amazing how there is no evidence of snow early in the evening. Once I settled in for the night, ate dinner and happen to look out the window a winter wonderland appeared.
Photo by JT
Freshly fallen snow at night looks like dancing diamonds. That’s the jewelry lover side of me kicking in. Oh my!
Forest Park - Photo by JT
This picture above was taken after the snowfall last week in Forest Park next to the golf course.
Snow reminds me of when I was a child and loved to play in it with my doggies. I guess even though I am an adult I feel like a child because when the snow falls I still love running around in it with my doggies. Some things never change.
"Vinny" - Photo by JT
This is a part of the MamaKat’s writer’s workshop where we pick writing prompts on a topic of our choice and link are post(s) on a Thursday of the week. If you would like to check her out please stop by Mamakat’s blog.
by | Jan 18, 2011 | Accessories |
I really needed some new glasses. I wear contacts and glasses so I split the time between wearing the two. I went to Lenscrafters and they have such a nice selection of glasses.
Looking for eyeglasses try these tips:
1. Are the glasses flattering to the contour of your face?
2. Are the frames heavy? If the eyeglasses are heavy you will not wear them long so need to venture long on a decision with this one.
3. The price and is it really worth it? Do you have insurance that will cover new frames and lenses?
4. Try on a variety of pairs of glasses and then narrow down your decision.
Drum roll please!
I chose the Chanel eyeglasses because I love the way they frame my face and the frame color matches my hair, go figure. One other great item that sold me on these glasses were the real pearls on each side of the frame.
The pearls epitomize the iconic glow of Chanel. I had to have them.
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