Pretty in Pink

Not a sign of a flower or anything pink outside on this spring day, but I am feeling pink!

The master bedroom was styled for showing and pink predominates.  The walls are a warm grey, BM Grey Owl.  If I have to paint another bedroom I'd chose Edgecomb but the difference is slight.  The pink is kinda peachy which is well, just peachy!  lol

I luv shelves and I have collected just about everything that is pink and has sentimental meaning in this not so public place.   The Roosters side of the room is a bit more masculine and has his stuff.  Mine, is well, kinda cluttered more than styled.  But it makes me almost blush as I sit and look around.  ;^)

The only other pink in the house is all my red transfer ware and my ruby glass.  Any houses we have looked at will accomodate just about all the furniture we have but this china cabinet is in jeopardy.  But I can't quite let it go.  awe, maybe I'll get a really, really big master bedroom!  :0

I have been playing catch-up with my planner/journals.  Lots has been happening and I'm thankful for my phone camera for keeping me up to date!  How convenient that I'm into a pink section!

The last post had me sharing a colour wheel by Janice Riggs at The Vivienne Files.  I thought I had my core colours nailed down but then she posted this capsule wardrobe inspired by Art!  It features Khaki and a bit more colour.  I like!
 

 But then she posted this one this morning.  YES!!!   I'd down play the denim and bump up the grey and khaki as my neutrals. With the light white/cream,  I'll use pink and green and add an aqua.  But this is definitely coming together for me.  


I don't intend to turn this into a fashion blog but as my story unfolds, I need to embrace who I am.  My face is actually quite red as I take selfies of myself and then actually share them. But it has helped me become comfortable in my own (pink) and aging skin. And my skin reveals that I've had a few bumps and bruises, a few crisises, a few kids and spent some time out in the sun!   I am not photogenic and avoid having my picture taken.  But here is the thing-  if I/you can forget about the camera lens and just let go of any intentions of looking a certain way and are just ourselves, (ie. HAPPY) and feeling good about ourselves, then we'll become more photogenic.  This is true!  Ask me how I know!!!  ;^)

We set rules for ourselves.  These rules are not necessarily bad but when they are never revised they become archaic laws.   My wardrobe rules needed revising and should better reflect who I am today. 

It has always surprised me the amount of pink I've collected in my fabric stash.  It has taken me a while to break the rule that 'mature women' who aren't the romantic, flowery type can DO pink!  Time for me to get rebellious!


The grand kiddies are coming today so I need to get some art stuff out.  I may include pink!  Every time I do Art 101 with the grand kiddies we begin by singing, "If you're happy and you know, clap your hands, if...  3X, then your ART is gonna show it! "   Absolutely true!

If I decorate my home to reflect the Rooster and me.  If I wear clothes that make me feel like ME. If I use the fabric I have subconsciously collected.   If I make art that makes me smile.  If I relax when someone takes my picture.  If I  am authentic.  Then I can concentrate on smelling the roses, which of course, will be pink!

A window of opportunity

We are still wearing our jackets and I did wear my rubber boots to hang up some bedding on the clothes line.  But we are well on our way to seeing the last of the snow and the first of the green shoots.

An incredibly busy time.   I have been styling the house for sale.  I gave away the kids bunk beds to the grand kiddo for his room makeover and I'm pleased they fit well in his space.   I 'edited' a lot of the grand kiddies toys and old clothes from the closet and have reclaimed that closet for my newly burgeoning wardrobe.  I am storing all the darks- blacks, browns and jackets in there.

In amongst the busyness I returned a couple of things I'd ordered online from theBay and as I was strolling around...

I saw two key items that were on my newly focused to-buy list!  I'm not sure I made any headway on that particular deal but I did enjoy the change of pace as I just strolled along and looked in the shop windows.  I now have a trendy but feminine bomber jacket and ballet flats that are apparently as flattering and versatile as they are fashionable.  And on sale!  I think I'll be good till fall now! 

I got the basement all spiffed up by Thursday.  phew  The showing was for Friday morning.  Then my company for the weekend arrived in the afternoon.  The guest room was definitely ready!   We didn't spend a lot of time laying around though.
 

 We were out and about and Sunday night we changed guests.  We brought back the grand kiddies and their mum for an early start Monday morning.  It is spring break!  We headed off to see the big city and check out their views. 

The Children's Museum is wonderful and fully interactive.

Josh luvs to drive the 'for real' train!

Eliana tried hard to master the 'digger'!

 

 

Jolina dared the colour mixing slide.

and of course we made art!

In amongst all this activity we have been viewing properties for sale.   There are a lot of options.  I thought one was THE one but a second look revealed it was a capital P Project!  Maybe not!   I have a new favourite now and first viewing is a phone call away.  It is exhausting even though I am 'only' mentally fitting all my stuff into the new layouts!   My Rooster studies all the structural details while I redecorate and plant flowers!  LOL

 I have a pile of hemming on the sewing table and a tunic pattern to track down.  The 40+Style Club is revamping some of the scheduling as we all become acquainted and try new things.  I am learning so much but I am also looking forward to a slower pace and settling into a gentler learning curve!   Seems like the softer colours work well for me.

This colour wheel could work.  The black would be a slice for a skirt, the grey my main neutral and the green my second.  Pink as my colour and I'd throw in an aqua.  White is the light neutral.   This makes shopping SO much easier!

I have not spent much time in my art room other than prep for Art 101 with the kiddos!  But here is one page in the planner.   I need to expand this as the style club members want to add a health and wellness thread.  Heck, I am all for upping the exercise and tweaking my food choices.  One gal showed me her planner spread sheet so I had to show her 'my' spreadsheet.  lol  

So that is a peek into the window of my world.  But my windows will definitely be changing as we have sold our farm and the paperwork is beginning.  Now to find that new window to look out!

Spring is Trending

We have been having some crazy weather and more is coming tonight.  Cold and the new driveway is willing to accept vehicles.  Warm- not so much.  The snow and slush that has mixed with new gravel is making life very interesting. :{  So I have mixed feelings about the warm weather! 

I DO luv Pantone's colour palette for spring.  I actually have a number of them in my closet and definitely in my fabric stash.

Hot pink is definitely on trend but I'm embracing pale dogwood, myself!  With lots of greenery thrown in.

And then there are stripes.  I haven't met a stripe that hasn't made me smile.  I scored the Coldwater Creek jacket at the thrift shop!  :)

I am enjoying the group of fashionistas at the 40+Style Club.  We learn and we post photos of the daily challenges using our capsule grouping.  It makes for a busy day taking photos and then a quick upload on the weekdays of the challenge.  That is one week of learning and gathering a core of about a dozen articles of clothing, shopping, or shopping our closet.  Then ten days of posting, with one week of socializing (and showing off the also rans)!  I should get faster at this as I progress.   The ladies are most encouraging and last week I got to be a poster girl.  Actually I think it was for most improved.  LOL  I have learned the importance of things fitting and the value of accessorizing.  My mixed media art and fibre art lessons/principles really help.   I need to start smiling but coordinating the requirements,  throwing clothes all over the place,  learning to take selfies,  and then standing still after clicking 10 second timer is all very challenging. 

The new 'me' is going for light-hearted and, casually contemporary.  I'm losing the dark look and embracing the light.   It certainly makes shopping an whole lot easier which makes me very lightheaded.  lol

Through one of the members I also discovered a blog- The Vivienne Files.    I spent Sunday evening going through the 'Starting From Scratch' tab.  Here are two examples of a personal colour wheel.   This totally appeals to me.  I'm just about ready to commit to my basic neutrals and my accent colours.  I was almost going to say navy and grey (no more black) when I realized I have very little navy but I have LOTS of green so it may be green and grey.  Aqua (teal) is one colour and I'm thinking pink (cranberry) for the other.  The 'other' light will be white/ecru/cream- depending.   I did think of two capsules- one for summer and one for winter but remembered KISs just in time.  LOL  But those kahaki sections can still work when I go grey taupe and green based taupe so I can have those for summer.    Then think of all the combos with lights to darks and prints that pull together two colours.  I hate clothes shopping so this would focus me on MY colours.  A jean skirt is a must,  almost considered a neutral and I'd keep my black pencil skirt and LBD (little black dress).

Spring is my favourite season even though it can be quite cool and muddy here.  But the idea of fresh air, pussy willows and green grass just make me happy!  I am happy to put away all the stuff that has managed to accumulate from the previous seasons, spring clean and start all over again with lots of white and minimal clutter.

I'll be accessorizing things that best show off the charm of this old character lady.  ha!  you thought I meant me.  I meant this old house!  We have a  showing for a prospective buyer this week and a contender for our own purchase/consideration.  So I have not been making much art but I have been busy!  Spring is shaping up to be very exciting and summer is looking to be busy!  Bring on the daffies!

Winter Wrap up!

Looks like winter is preparing to leave like a lion.   The warnings are up but I do hope to get away tomorrow for art 101 with the grand kiddies.  We have a sketch date at the library!  :O

I have been working on my garment selections for wrapping up the season.   Seems I need to lose the dark colours and embrace the lighter.  I can do that.  The next grouping will be more colourful.  This is my winter capsule.  I won't be buying much more black.

I seemed to have hit a wall with the journal updates and so I just cleared the deck desk, put my head down and got at it!  I shoveled away all the bits and pieces and used the glue stick liberally.  I'm not quite done but I'm to the point where a finish is in sight.  Hopefully that won't happen again.

I ordered a few clothes internationally and I won't be doing that again.  $54 duty!  I never paid that for any art supplies.  sheesh!  I shall be wrapping myself with stuff from theBay.  I like online shopping but not the duty for international stuff.  TheBay is Canadian, online, and I can do easy returns if I'm not happy.

 I am doing up all the laundry for our star boarder.  He should be back home by the end of the week.  There will be a little less game playing and more creative stitching.  I will put finishing touches to the guest room and send the bunk beds off to Joshua as his room is slated for finishing this month as well.  It is a small room and my custom bunks fit wonderfully.  Downsizing.  I luv it!

Not a lot crossed off my list but a good start.  That's a wrap!

Marching to the Challenges

Thank goodness for clean fresh calendar pages!  I am totally behind on most things.  :/

 The over forty and for me, sixty, style challenge completely stole my month.  It was like my first visit to Michael's Craft Store.  I wanted just about everything.  Looking at the gaps in my recently edited closet sent me off on the clothes hunt.  Gosh there is lots out there!  I got a bit side tracked but I am now back to basics and the 70% around home apparel.  February's challenge was clothing our unique body shapes.Who knew I was hiding good legs,  Well, except the Rooster!  ha!  
The March challenge is Spring and my thrift shop jacket is apparently on trend for colours and will work for the 15% errands and the 15% Dress up section.
It has been a real eye opener and ego let-downer to lay out a lovely ensemble on the bed, dress, and then confront the full length mirror, take a selfie and analyze!  What I saw on the bed and in my mind's eye is not what the camera reveals nor what, ' the people that you meet, when you're walking down the street...' see!  vbsigh   So it will be onwards and upwards from the low point of crying in the closet!  I think I want people to see 'light-hearted, relaxed and rural' as I approach.  Seriously I have learned a whole shopping bag full of useful tips and information.  Why don't they teach us this stuff in school?  You know, home ec???

I will now be marching in light as opposed to dark clothes!  I'll share my spring capsule next week which will highlight the Pantone colour pale dogwood!  I do have lots of 'greenery' and my closet is full of stripes which is also on trend!  :}

My game scores have improved with our young house guest.  My dear hubby has absolutely no luck in games and when asked if he 'really' wanted to play he said yes.  His goal is not to win but to be under 500 points in a low score wins game. lol  My challenge has been to keep my mind on what I'm doing as talking, dealing, sorting and gathering is a bit like rubbing ones tummy, patting ones head and ...  you know!

I did gather the brackets and hinges to complete the sewing room but we've been rather busy playing games!   The work party is scheduled for next weekend.  I had cut out a dark brown tunic and skirt but I have lost my enthusiasm since spring green would be better than brown bark.  I know, I know, scarves, etc.!    lol  heck, paint splatters can lighten just as well.   And then as I was looking to make brown fabric photo worthy I pulled fabric from my quilting stash.  Oh, MY!  I DO have options!!!

 I have managed to keep up with the grand kiddies and Art 101.  We finished art landscapes and are doing Architecture.  Cityscape's are all about lines and shapes with foreground, midground and background.  Their journal/planners are up to date but sadly mine are a mass of loose papers and not enough penciled data!  :[

 I am a regular follower of ...And Then We Set It On Fire... which is featuring Clara Nartey for March.  The challenge is to stitch for 31 days.  On our sewing machines.  I am IN!!!
 I had also signed up for a class on improvisational hand stitching for my evenings but I haven't got past gathering my supplies. My presence has been required at the gaming table.   I may have to carve some time out of the housecleaning slot!  8-}

  We had a lovely 'get away' which is always a time of rejuvenation.   While some of us were preparing for March, Eliana stylishly and exuberantly embraced the freshness of winter's wonderland. 

And I, myself,  will be drawing a big deep breath of fresh air and flinging myself into March's challenges.