How to Wear Pantone 2021

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Hey folks! Today’s scheduled post was originally scripted to be a fun guide all about the Pantone 2021 colors of the year. Because many of you are here solely for that reason, I promise I’ll get there. First, I want to start by continuing with reflections from this week’s disturbing events in Washington. Watching the horrifying images unfold left me feeling a whole litany of emotions, ranging from anger to sorrow to embarrassment. Right now, I’m reminding myself that brighter days are soon ahead. As I said in yesterday’s Instagram post… Hug your loved ones, keep taps of your own mental health, and look forward to the better days ahead.

What is Pantone Color of the Year?

Since 2000, Pantone has named a Color (or Colors) of the Year. While they reflect trends in the fashion, entertainment, and travel industries, they are also used to reflect current events. For 2021, they have a duo of colors that almost couldn’t more diverse. Ultimate Gray reflects our joint experiences from 2020, both from the global pandemic around the world and civil unrest in our country. There is ambiguity, uncertainty, and irresolution. Gray at the same time represents composure and resiliences, both being important virtues during this first few days in 2021.

On the other end of the spectrum is Illuminating. It’s a bright and cheerful color that is a stark contrast against nearly any shade of gray. Unsurprisingly, it’s also incredibly optimistic and can be thought of like the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

When the 2021 Pantone colors were first announced, I noticed a lot of disappointment. I know yellow can be a hard color to sell and gray is just a little boring. On the other hand, I thought it was a unique color combination. The fact that I know I look decent in yellow only helped its cause. This pairing is tricky, so I wanted to share a simple way to make it happen and how to make yellow work for you.

How to Wear Pantone 2021

Find the Perfect Shade of Yellow

Yellow is a beautiful color, but it can admittedly be difficult to find the ‘right for you’ shade. The more it stands out against your skin tone, the better it will complement. For my fair-skinned friends, I recommend a deeper, mustard tone. As your skin gets darker, the lighter you can go in the shade. It’s also important to know that when you do find that perfect hue, it’s going to make you look perfectly sun-kissed. There is some trial and error, but I think there’s a shade for everyone.

Be Strategic on Color Pairing

As your yellow gets light and brighter, your gray should get deeper. It took digging to find a combination of yellow and grey that I would be happy with. I was trying to avoid color-blocking, looking for something that seemed like a natural fit. This J. Crew cashmere sweater was a perfect choice. The yellow is as buttery and soft as the cashmere itself. The dark gray donegal midi skirt from Talbots was also an instant decision. With help from my yellow espadrille wedges, yellow and grey come together in perfect harmony. 

Invite Another Pop of Color

Do this day, one of my favorite red carpet looks was Reese Witherspoon in a yellow cocktail dress from the Golden Globes in 2007. She made the bright color even more of a statement by pairing bright red accents. As you put yellow and grey together, consider adding a pop of color into the mix. With my outfit, I could add a swipe of ruby red lipstick or trade my yellow espadrilles for my red ones. Emerald Green accents could also be welcome with your perfect shade of yellow.

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So, this blog post obviously has two things going on. Sure, talking about color trends and fashion are fun, but it pales in comparison to the greater issues at hand. Try to remain positive, always be respectful, and find the little joys in life.

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

Styling Nautical Stubbs & Wootton

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One thing I miss about living in the Northeast is the gravitation towards nautical culture. A favorite escape, that I’ve been thinking about often recently, was our long weekend in Newport, Rhode Island. This is a sailor’s paradise and is a prime example of nautical life. Growing up in Florida, I was raised on the water and am no stranger to being on a boat. Back in the day, my dad was an avid sailor and still wears an anchor chain to this day. All of that together has given me a natural affinity for those nautical motifs that I love so much. If it has an anchor on it, chances are I’ll want it in my closet.

After years of coveting and lusting, I finally committed to a pair of Stubbs & Wootton slippers. Thinking about the color scheme I have in the rest of my closet, picking a navy and white pair was a no-brainer! The white embroidered anchor pattern is subtle and adds a fun punch to a neutral shoe. I’ve been finding myself wearing them with almost everything! Seriously, shorts, jeans, dresses, nothing is off limits. I find that they are a great substitute for when a ballet flat or sneaker just won’t due.

Stubbs & Wootton is a preppy staple and became an instant classic when it was launched in 1993. Some of their most popular styles and designs are tongue-in-cheek motifs that may not be suitable for everyone. Exhibit A. Depending on where you live, you may be drawn to either a velvet or linen pair. Either way, you known you’re getting a high-quality piece that could last you a lifetime with the proper upkeep. For something truly special, consider creating your own style with their Bespoke collection.

When thinking of the perfect outfit for these loafers, I wanted to lean on the nautical influences for a perfectly classic outfit. A crisp pair of white jeans is a good place to start, especially if they’re slightly cropped to show off the shoe. My favorite for the past few years has been this pair from J. Crew. The white is bright and the high-waisted style is incredibly flattering. 

My favorite part of this outfit is this cozy sweater from Talbots. I’ve owned and loved many fisherman sweaters in my day, but this color is a first for me! The camel with navy stitching makes it perfect to wear with both denim and white jeans. I even love the idea of pairing it with a white eyelet midi skirt in the early spring months. Wearing it, even while exploring the St. Pete Marina, gave me the feel of being in New England. Again, Newport, I miss you!

Sometimes it’s fun to dress for the city you wish you were in. Since I’m currently daydreaming of nautical days on the New England coast, that means navy, sweaters, and lots of anchors! Having a pair of Stubbs & Wootton Loafers doesn’t hurt either! If you love the shoes, but aren’t in love with the price tag, I highly recommend shopping them second hand at The Real Real. Even though you never know what you’ll find, you can purchase at a fraction of the price. Happy shopping!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.

New Resolutions for 2021

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It’s a new year and a fresh start on opportunities. I’m a notorious optimist. I know that some of the hardships from 2020 will roll over into 2021. There wasn’t a magic wand that was waved at midnight. Still, all I can think about is a brand new chapter. In years past, I really listed out my new year resolutions. This year, I thought I would just share more generalized ideas that have been running around in my head. Some of those may turn into new good habits or accomplished goals. The year is young and only time will tell!

Personal

Since I spent so much time at home, I was able to do a lot of soul searching. At the end of the day, my goal for 2021 is to be happy. What that specifically means will change throughout the year. David and I have really exciting opportunities coming up this year, but there’s not one thing that definitive yet. I’m a planner and when thinking of all of the unplanned potential, I honestly get overwhelmed. This year, I hope to let the universe take the wheel on this front and I can enjoy the ride along the way. 

Professional

If you didn’t know, I had a shift in my career. By going from the classroom to the EdTech space, I found my dream job as a Community Manager. I love being able to connect with teachers across the country. I’m also very fortunate to have exception co-workers who are so supportive. As life begins to return to normal, I’m excited to connect with more peers in the educational space and hopefully visit conferences and schools. From a blog point of view, I’m so happy with how Orange to Apple grown in 2020. I hope to continue that cadence. Once again, I’m so thankful to my family, friends, and strangers who read and follow along.

Travel

My goodness, do I even bother talking about travel? It’s a top driving force in my day-to-day and I’m always daydreaming about a new destination. The year 2020 was supposed to be the big one for travel. We had flights booked for two separate trips to South America: a bucket list trip to Peru and visiting with family in Ecuador. We also had a Christmas trip to Ireland in our sights. For 2021, it’s incredibly frustrating for me to not even think about travel unless I want to disappoint myself. In a perfect world, I would obviously rebook Peru. Since I turn 30 (gasp) in June, I would love to travel to somewhere really special. Harbour Island, Merida, and Greece are top picks, but honestly, who knows?

For Fun

On a lighter note, I have some little goals that I think could help me keep on track. Obviously, I know I need to add more exercise to my weekly routine. As a career athlete, I quickly fell out of love with the constant working out. The trick is to find something that I love and doesn’t feel like work. Let me give you a hint… Running is not it for me! From a mental standpoint, I want to pick and commit to mastering a new language via DuoLingo. I’ve jumped from Italian to French to Spanish to match upcoming travel plans. Reading more is also high on my list. I used to be such a bookworm and it’s about time to find that side of me again. I’m thinking two books a month is a really great place to start. 

So that’s the short of it. More than anything, I’m thankful for another year to celebrate and spend with my loved ones. Whatever comes my way in 2021, I’m open-minded and ready to find the adventure!

Love from Florida,
Katie

As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.