Fashion on Friday

When I looked at these colors last Fall, I couldnt get excited about them.

However, I'm glad I remembered to revisit this palette because it's been THE most helpful factor for organizing my closet for the Spring and Summer.

Even though the colors look slightly different on various monitors, it's NOT difficult to see them when I'm out and about.  And with the continued chilly temperatures, I'll admit that I've been tempted just to wear the same.old. wintery stuff.

But I know better than to let the doldrums rule.

It's as simple as getting dressed.

So, after claiming Coral Fusion (OPI calls it Hot and Spicey) last week and plastering it on my toes, I looked to see if I could find another one of the colors already in the closet.

Bingo!

Turquoise!!

I found it in the jewelry box - something I'd picked up at a drug store five years ago and worn rarely.  I mention those details to let you know that 1) the jewelry was not expensive, and 2) the Pantone report gave me confidence to step out of the box.

Here's how I paired a necklace of turquoise stones with a white sweater (cable knit turtleneck) and black pants. 










Later in the week when I was trying to decide which scarf to wear with an off-white sweater jacket, I chose the one with turquoise in it.

What are you doing with the new Spring and Summer colors?

Fashion Friday:Color

Fusion Coral is my choice for Spring and Summer Fashion this year.

I'm seeing it everywhere.

Just buying a new nail polish made me feel updated





and ready for the new season that starts officially on Saturday at 1:30pm.


Plus as I put away the Fall and Winter clothing, it seems easier to find the more fashionable colors in my existing wardrobe once I've reviewed Pantone's List of Colors.  There are lots of good suggestions in the article, especially for a non-Fashionista like me ;-)

1) Turquoise
2) Amparo Blue*
3) Violet
4) Aurora
5) Fusion Coral*
6) Tomato Puree
7) Pink Champagne
8) Tuscany
9) Dried Herb
10)Eucalyptus

I just love the names.

Fusion Coral is my first choice:  wearing sweaters and tops in that shade with black or brown pants.

But I'm finding the the Amparo Blue (bright!) is easier to wear than I thought ~ meaning I bought that color T-shirt at Walmart when I otherwise would have ignored it.



It *helped* me finish my 2.5 mile walk/run yesterday.





DD#1 wore Tuscany-colored patent pumps to a wedding last weekend, making her outfit *runway- perfect.*


Now I want some ;-)





Having worn uniforms during my schooling, I'm very tuned into dressing up a limited wardrobe with small accoutrements that can  make a big difference.

How are you addressing Spring and Color?

Corned Beef and Cabbage


Call me impatient.

I couldnt wait any longer.

Even though St Patrick's Day is not until March 17th,


I've already enjoyed the traditional fare once this past Sunday.

Now I'm looking forward to planned-overs tonight!


I braised the corned brisket (for three hours on Saturday morning in a dutch oven filled with water) and wrapped it in aluminum foil for Sunday's re-heating (with the time bake function on my oven.)

Then I used some of the liquid (stock) in the pressure cooker to steam the potatoes, onions, and carrots.

I re-heated the veggies while I was at church on Sunday by using a timer attached to the crockpot?








See the cabbage there in the background.... on the far left?

I did wait until we got home from church to fix that. 

After slicing the head of cabbabe into big chunks, I steamed it in the pressure cooker with approximately 1 cup of stock.


Here's a link to the Irish Soda Bread recipe complete with photo.

A Cavit Pinot Noir complimented the flavorful meal.

Dessert, you wonder?

Georgia Peaches I'd *put up* last August, then served with Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream, a Pecan Sandie Cookie and a cup of Starbucks Verona Coffee.

What's your favorite way to celebrate St Patrick's Day?

Fashion on Friday

Winter is almost over.

Here in north Georgia, we have had a winter to remember...

colder with more snow than usual.

This outfit is my effort to transition from heavier to lighter weight fabrics;






get one more use out of this comfortable dress; and enjoy framing the wintery iron-gray with the springy brighter-yellow.

Check out the Pantone Color Report for Spring 2010.  It was released last September, which was about the last time I posted on fashion.

My old scarf blends two of the new shades:  Aurora and Violet.






What's your *new* favorite color?



I'll reveal mine next week.

Homemade Vegetable Soup - Easy Style

16 cups water
16 tsps beef bouillon powder/cubes

2 lb frozen veggies (i.e. mixed veggies or soup mix)
1 lb ground beef, browned and drained
1 32-oz can crushed or diced tomatoes
2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper

Optional/Later:  Add V-8 juice if more liquid is needed


In a large stock pot, bring water to a rolling boil. Stir in the beef bouillon. Add frozen vegetables. Cook for 5 minutes at medium high heat without boiling. Then add meat and tomatoes. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add seasonings, to taste. At this point, I turn off the heat and add 1 cup alphabet pasta. Cover soup pot with tight lid for 30 more minutes. That should be enough time to *cook* the pasta.

Serves 6-8

Friday Five: Staples

Of all the hundreds of sizes and shapes bread seems to come in, what is your favorite?

I appreciate all the different sizes and shapes for bread, eschewing only the white/off-white, non-nutritious kind.

I havent made bread in ages, but this Ethiopian recipe sounds divine.

My sister made these loaves for her family.  She's a pro at baking bread.


What’s your favorite thing to eat with rice?

Salt is crucial to tasty rice. Not a lot. But if it's not been cooked in salted water, then the flavor is delinquent.

What are your feelings about milk?

Milk rates as a staple in the diet until adulthood, at which time intake should be limited.

What was wrapped in the tortilla you most recently ate?

Some one gave me a sausage and egg tortilla the other day. I reheated it and ate if for lunch. Until that time I'd only eaten tortillas for dinner.

How many staplers are there in your house and where are they?

There are three staplers in my house, one on each floor. That means, one on my desk in the basement; one in the kitchen in the utility drawer; and one upstairs in the study/great room.

Added later ~


Here are pictures of Friday Night Staples ;-)

What did you enjoy for dinner?