Honeysuckle is the new black...

I recently ran across Pantone's list of the top Spring 2011 color trends. All the colors are beautiful, and I was interested to see how many are jewel tones because I think sometimes for Spring people think pastels and neutrals. Pantone is the world's color authority and they decide each year what the "hot"color is, based on a variety of factors including analyzing fashion designers and manufacturers ideas of color.

{Source: Fresh Home Blog}

This year, the "it" color is Honeysuckle Pink. It's a reddish toned pink that ranges in shades from an almost coral looking color to the bright pink with slight red undertones. Leatrice Eiseman, who is the Executive Director at Pantone, explains why Honeysuckle Pink is such a dynamic and strong color...“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues.” I think she's right, and it's popping up all over the fashion and design world. Even celebrities are sporting this bold pink on the runways. I love how Ginnifer Goodwin pairs it with nude pumps.

 

{Picture Sources}
1. The Colorologist
2. Pink Cardigan from Roxy
3. Ginnifer Goodwin in Honeysuckle dress spotted here
4. Kate Bosworth in Valentino at Vanity Fair Oscar party
5. Tory Burch tote found here
6. Kate Spade polka dot bracelet seen here
7. Essie nailpolish in "Status Symbol"
8. Colorful inspiration photo found here

P.S. While I do love this bright pink color for Spring, this weekend I will be sporting black and gold instead...I'm headed to Houston tomorrow morning with my dad to spend the weekend cheering on the RAMS! The 80-degree Texas weather will be a nice change of pace from these past few dreary, cold days in DC. Bring it on Butler, the Rams are ready!

New Do for Spring

I am beyond ecstatic that it is officially Spring! Who isn't? I'm ready to thaw out, open up my windows, go to outdoor concerts, and spend happy hours socializing with friends and co-workers on outside patios - hallelujah! This weekend I also ran across the beautiful cherry blossoms blooming in downtown DC when I spent Sunday morning strolling through the outdoor market. Last year I didn't move to DC until August, so I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing Spring in the city yet. I'm looking forward to taking my camera out to capture some of the seasonal changes that are taking place around town. Speaking of changes...I have a hair appointment this Friday {with my love Jerod who I've gone to now for 10 years!} and I'm thinking about a little change myself. Right now my hair is this length, or a little longer...and it has been for a couple years at this point...but I think I'm ready for a major snip snip {meaning more than just a trim, nothing overly drastic}. I'm also planning to get a few lighter highlights since it was a little darker for the winter months. Bring on the scissors and foils!

Summer '10

Here are some photos I've been drooling over for inspiration. I like the ashy blonde look, not brassy yellow, and I definitely don't want to go above the shoulder. I trust Jerod and I know he'll make my highlights the perfect shade of ash blond so they still look natural, and I know he'll give me an edgy/stylish cut with the length I ask for. What do you think?

{Source: Photo Blog}

{Source: Pinterest}

{Source: Carrie.org}

{Source: Coveted Canvas}

Somewhere between all of these perhaps? Haha, clearly I'm not completely sure yet, but I'll bring these into the salon for Jerod to see what I'm thinking about...Carrie Underwood and Kate Bosworth's styles are my favorite from above. Can you tell I'm a little excited about this?! My friends have mixed reviews about me cutting my hair so far, but I've pretty much decided that it will happen...I want a fresh new do to celebrate the end of gloomy, cold, snowy days and the entrance into gloriously long days of sunshine, random thunderstorms, sundresses, cookouts, patio-sitting, flip flops, and the list goes on....

P.S. Sorry about no Travel Tuesdays again, I haven't been travel-inspired lately but hopefully with a few trips coming up in the next few months, the bug will bite me again

Currently lusting after...

Boots and sundresses. I don't care if this fashion trend has passed, I still, and will always, love the look of a classic sundress and a pair of rustic leather boots. This look is so simple, yet chic and put together for a weekend look when the weather gets nice. Perfect for picnics in the park, running errands, a cookout with friends, or an outdoor concert.

Sources: 1. Anthropologie 2. Zappos 3. Anthropologie
4. Nordstrom 5. South Moon Under 6. Zappos

I love the look of pairing a simple sundress, with a long gold pendant necklace, and a pair of cowboy boots. My favorite place to shop for dresses is Anthropologie (although this doesn't bode well for my finances, but sometimes a girl's got to indulge!) and I'm obsessed with Frye Boots (these def are rarely in my budget, but they are so great, really) I got a fabulous pair of new cowboy boots when I was in Austin, TX, and I can't wait to pull out my sundresses to where with them!

Source: Intimate Weddings

I couldn't resist this photo. I read a lot of wedding blogs and I think for a rustic plantation or farm wedding, cowboy boots on brides and bridesmaids are adorable. Love it!

Source: Taylor Swift

What's your go-to style when the weather gets nice?

In Living Color

One of my best and most talented friends, living in Brooklyn, NY and working at a fabulous design firm, texted me last week with some very exciting news. Her company was doing a pitch for Kate Spade's team and their new ad campaign! How exciting {still waiting to hear the details on how it went - but I'm sure they did great}. This leads me to my next point...

I'm currently so so inspired by Kate's Spring ad campaign: Live Color Fully. I had heard a bit about it before last week, but when I heard the news, I popped over to Kate's site to check it out a little further. They're calling it a "Colorful Collaboration." A new color will be released each month and they are working with artists to create a set of limited edition prints and short films designed to be released as each month's color is revealed. January was red and February was pink - I can't wait to see what March is (I'm predicting green or yellow?) I think all this gloomy winter weather {and knowing that the end of it is now in sight} makes me all the more inspired by all the bright colors for spring popping up all around me.

Check out these photos for some weekend inspiration - it will give you an instant mood boost, guaranteed.

These next photos are part of the ad campaign for Kate's new fragrance Twirl - aren't they magical? So chic.

 

Photo Sources from top: 1. Behind the Scenes 2. ExtraOrdinary 3. KatieEvans!
4, 5, and 6. PR Starworks

Style Crush

One thing I love about fashion is the little details of an outfit that make it stand out. I'm big on neutral outfits with bold and bright accessories. Whether it be a bright shoe, a patterned scarf, a few chunky bracelets, a long, bold necklace, or a great studded bag, you can dress any outfit up to make it unique. I bought a pair of fabulous gold disk earrings with aqua, white, and green details at Forever 21 ($3 - yes $3, score!) a few weeks ago, and I can't stop thinking about the outfits to pair them with. To update your spring wardrobe, I suggest stocking up on some of these beauties...

                                                                     *Source* Anthropologie

                                                              *Source* South Moon Under

                                                                 *Source* Anthropologie

                                                                 *Source* South Moon Under

                                                                  *Source* Anthropologie

Spring Wardrobe Dreaming

So this week has been a crazy one at work. Usually I have some down time during the days - especially during lunch to do some browsing and take a break from calls and spreadsheets. This week though, has been filled since Monday with sales training and back to back meetings. Phew...looking forward to tomorrow at 5:30 when I can escape my cubicle for 2 days of freedom. I know I'm not the only one out there that feels that way! I plan on sleeping in, working out, trying out some new recipes, and spending time with great friends.


In other news, in case you didn't hear, the groundhog predicted an early start to Spring for 2011! In my opinion, this is some of the nicest news I've heard this week (although my bestie's little sister dashed my hopes by warning me that the groundhog has only been correct like 3 times in the past 10 years). I'll stick to being optimistic and daydreaming about the day I'm able to pull out my warm-weather wardrobe and put my bulky sweaters, corduroys, and wool skirts away for a long hibernation. More importantly, the start of Spring gives me a reason to splurge a little while out on my shopping ventures. Right now, I can't resist bright colored accessories and neutral blouses and cardigans. Looks like it's time to clean out my closet and make room for new additions! Below are some J.Crew runway looks and beautiful, bright accessories that are calling my name. (The necklace below was added to my jewelry collection this weekend after a little shopping trip while home in Richmond - woo woo!) I mean, how adorable are those ruffled yellow shorts? Paired with neutral wedges, a neutral top and some great earrings? I may/may not be dreaming about that tonight...

Happy (almost) Friday! Here's to hoping everyone has a quick and painless day tomorrow









Photos courtesy of: Style.com, J.Crew, Anthropologie, and Essie Collection.