Go Big or Go Home!

I don’t know about you, but I feel invigorated by all the color, texture and pattern on the market this season. I mean, I love me some workhorse basics in neutral colors, but it’s the other stuff that keeps me inspired by my wardrobe. Dear Gucci, thank you for bringing it!

Alex is wearing blue tortoise rim sunnies from Frock on Alberta Street and a blue silk Butterfly Blouse by Milly from Sabina’s Style in the Pearl District. All images by artfare.

My dear friend Alexandra Franzen with her vibrant hair and signature robin’s egg blue volkswagen beetle, lives and teaches finding your version of a bold and creative life. She and I and Jolie, our fabulous photographer, got to talking about how across our industries, going big pays off. Listening to your “hut”, as Alex calls it, paying attention to what excites you and having the courage to implement those things leads to a deeper sense of satisfaction.

I’m helping women and men with the visual representation of this 24/7 whether they are stepping on to a big stage, repping themselves (as scary as it is) on tinder, or planning the next big thing for their businesses, etc. What we wear matters. It changes how we feel, how we express, and how we are perceived.

Taking a risk in your fashion to feel a certain way can sometimes be the gateway to a whole new outlook on life. In a culture where we often try to blend in and/or are constantly referencing other people’s work, things all start to look the same – the same art, the same food, the same outfits. We start to question when we we are drawn to something. I love and preach the concepts of slow fashion, quality over quantity, and less is more. But that doesn’t mean all of us ladies “must have” the army green jacket, striped tee, dark denim skinny jeans and ankle boots.

Make up your own MUST HAVE list! And be adventurous!

Alex is wearing a navy leather jacket by Doma  and gemstone necklace from Sabina’s Style, that gorgeous cotton top as seen above from Tumbleweed on Alberta Street, acid wash denim from Levi’s, blue velvet boots from & Other Stories. Acid wash available for all here! 

Alex can put this sentiment in to words in a way that ignites my soul. Read here:

During the photoshoot, Jolie, Scarlet, and I started talking about the idea of being “too much.” Too colorful. Too bold. Too confident. Too sexual. Too opinionated. Too successful. Too happy. Too… whatever.

So many of us—myself included—feel afraid of being “a little too much.” Many of us carry this fear around in our hearts without even realizing it’s there. It’s almost unconscious, and yet it governs so much of our behavior.

All day long, in so many ways, most of us “tone things down.” We think, “I couldn’t possibly say THAT. People will think I’m unprofessional.” Or we think, “An outfit that’s completely blue? That’s WAY too much blue! Everyone will stare at me!” We censor ourselves in so many ways.

After that epic photoshoot, I found myself thinking, “I don’t want to tone things down. If anything, I want to crank things UP.”

Alex went on to say…

If I want to self-publish a new collection of erotic stories, why not? If I want to wear all different shades of yellow, head to toe, why not? If I want to turn on some Enrique Iglesias and drive around town with the convertible top down, is that a crime? If people stare, let them stare! Hey everybody, enjoy the show! And feel free to join the colorblast party!

Dressing “colorblast,” as Scarlet puts it, is so much fun. I highly recommend trying it, at least once! Even if you’re an introverted person like me—not a wild party animal—you can still dial up the color in a way that feels authentic and exciting. In the process, you might catch a glimpse of a bolder, even more confident version of yourself… the person you truly want to become.

So I’m thinking, if you could dress head to toe in one color, what would it be? Try it! Dress in one palette incorporating different textures and fabrics to add dimension and interest to your look.

Pantone says “as it is strongly associated with sky and water, BLUE is perceived as a constant in our lives.”

Blue is a safe one to try if you’re just starting out with colorblasts! The color is dependable and trustworthy, inspiring confidence and calm. That’s why I advise people entering the corporate world to make their first suit a navy suit with an interesting tonal pattern or weave to keep it noteworthy.

Midnight blue is an excellent alternative to black for those of us wanting more color in our lives during formal occasions.

Blue is an all-season color and everyone can find a shade that flatters their complexion. If you like feminine silhouettes, try a maxi-dress or an architectural skirt in your favorite hue to add some sass to your step.

In this blog post we are demonstrating the colorblast concept. Because an active woman has got to be able to moooooove in her clothes, I selected fabrics that feel good against the skin, bad-ass silhouettes, and pieces that stretch. 

Alex is wearing a cold shoulder top from Sabina’s Style, cropped denim from Tumbleweed, a borrowed handkerchief from my pup’s collection, and baby blue sneaks by Phillipe Model from Halo in the Pearl District. Do you see this gorgeous rug from Kat + Maouche? It’s my new fave! And the beautiful prints leaning against the wall are artfare originals.

Blue and white is a classic warm-weather color combination that makes me think of traveling to the tropics or Greece. In Europe, or even just outside of town away from my day-to-day routine, I feel sensual and free.

This season there are cutouts everywhere. I am a fan of showing a little bit of skin, but not ALL the skin, and so these tasteful reveals appeal to me.

Alex is wearing an electric blue silk blouse from Sabina’s Style, white denim from Levi’s, long beaded earrings by Demimonde, and pumps from Halo.

You can be fun and flirty and still wear the pants! Show off your favorite part up top and echo it with a little skin on the top of your feet. This outfit can go anywhere in Portland for a night out! And so what if you are the best dressed. Lets raise the bar here!

Find blue pieces that have caught my eye this season over at the Shop.  Be sure to visit artfare, Jolie’s beautiful platform for her inspired imagery and so much more! And if you are ready to give your shabby blue denim a new life, try this DIY technique to create a shibori look. 

XO,

Scarlet