Monday Musings- Color Of The Year And Neutral Territory
Happy Monday ladies! Since most of my days meld together of late, I always like to focus on the fresh feeling of a new week. Our weekend was sort of crazy so I loved that our Sunday afternoon drive was extremely uneventful. We got out of the car exactly once, in a deserted town that was, well, deserted. 
We’ve driven through Old Georgetown before but never stopped for pictures so this seemed like a great opportunity.
Here are a few things I’m musing about this week:
Layering
Since my climate is pretty mild, I can usually get away with layering several thin layers to stay warm enough. Yesterday was just such a day.
It was too cool for just this cotton/wool cable sweater so I layered it over my trusty denim shirt (similar). I wasn’t in the mood to tuck my shirt so I wore it out and let the slightly cropped sweater define my waist which helps my legs look longer. My barely boot cut jeans are, no surprise, perfect over my boots:) I love the touch of pattern these boots add in the same tones as my sweater. I wore very simple silver hoop earrings and my favorite new lip color recipe…see below.
Lip Color Recipe
Do you combine products to create your own unique blend that’s the perfect color you like to wear? I do and this season it takes three items.
I start with Jane Iredale Lip Fixation Lip Stain in “Fascination” It’s a long-wearing lip stain I’ve used as a base for years under ALL my lipsticks. When everything else has worn off my mouth, a touch of this remains and it never dries out my lips. After that sets, I line my lips with this Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner in “Supersize Me”. It goes on very smoothly and stays put! No creeping into lines. I top all this with the Kosas Weightless Lip Color In “Rosewater” which is creamy but stays where I put it. I’d love you to share your color recipe in the comments.
2021 Pantone Colors Of The Year
Pantone has chosen Ultimate Gray and Illuminating as their colors of the year for 2021. The intent is to be a color combination that gives us resilience and hope.
“Practical and rock-solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity. It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.” ~ Pantone
After the year we’ve had, color is a welcome addition to my wardrobe, but I’m unlikely to be sporting the yellow. The gray may feel too dreary on its own this time of year but I still find myself still reaching for neutrals, more times than not. I’m simply more comfortable wearing neutrals and find them a better option for investment dressing.
Content
What would you like to see more of here in 2021?
- Friendships have developed within this AWSL community so I would like to foster that and facilitate even more connections. Does a private page for more personal sharing appeal to you? Would you be willing to pay a small monthly fee for this group and have more access to me in this group?
- What would you like to learn from/about me? Are you more curious about my life? What I wear?
- Would you be interested in what I eat and how I care for my physical and mental health?
- Do you like to see me style things that may not be my style, but are your style?
I am so very grateful for your wisdom and engagement here so I want to be sure this space serves you as well as me.
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I always look forward to your blog, makes my day! I am also interested in how to dress for different body shapes. I would really love a segment on petite clothing. I enjoy your DRD so much.
Thanks, Rose
Here’s a suggestion. You team up with Shepherd’s Fashion at the Trainyards in Ottawa Canada. Marlene Shepherd is the owner. The store caters to ladies who have lost their waists a bit, but still want to look great. They have lots of fashion education videos on you tube, instagram etc. They show an item on 3 very differently shaped staffers. Seeing is believing! They are building an online business – shipping to the USA and Canada. They pivoted very quickly and effectively during the lockdown, smart business wise.
Yes, I too enjoy watching the videos by “Shepherd’s Fashion” from Ottawa Canada and particularly like seeing their fashions on various body types, including petit, pear shape, inverted triangle etc. It’s all about looking good no matter what shape you are. It’s excellent!
Happy New Year, Jennifer! This is my first time writing on your blog. I am one of those people who can’t wear yellow (I could and did when I was a red head) but yellow and navy sounds exciting. I have been mostly grey since I was 12 yo and I am embracing it with open arms. Pretty greys really compliment my hair. I agree with just about everyone with their suggestions except paying for your blog for the same reason as the others but have you and your other blog friends ever consider doing a convention in a mutually beneficial place? Now that I would consider going to!! Love your blogs and keep them coming.
A convention would sure be fun. We will have to look into it when things open up again!
Wow! You asked for comments & you got them! I, too, love following you. I am especially interested in your thinning hair issues. Can you do a folllowup?
To be honest, I follow you because you lived on the Vancouver Island. I’m not even sure how I came to find your blog. Google, I suppose. I’m a different body shape than you – taller with a slight pear shape. I enjoy your varied and honest content from travel to books, trends to beauty, health care to fashion and more. I know others have suggested showing different body shapes and how they would wear the same outfit (love that idea) but the logistics might be difficult. What if you teamed up with other bloggers once a week to style the same outfit? Possible?
That is a good idea. I’ll check around. Happy New Year!
I would love to join a community of like minded women who celebrate not only fashion sense but who want to grow and learn from each other. I love hearing about others experiences and challenges and growth. I seek to grow and learn so that I can be an example for others on how to age but yet remain vibrant and vital.
Many younger women are looking to us for inspiration. Bravo Barb!
Actually really like these two colours and wear them. Turquoise also goes well with gray.
Jennifer, I really appreciate your varied blog content and your honesty while exploring something new. I agree with others about seeing you use your stylist skills. Maybe a weekly how to style a look for 3 different figures i.e. a denim shirt dress on a short, tall and plus size woman. And, my feet are not liking heels anymore, so blogs on stylish supportive shoes and boots would be great.
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year!
Terrific ideas! Thanks Elizabeth. Happy New Year.
Hi Jennifer,
I’d love to hear what you do to take care of your mental health.
Just curious – do you still wear your French Kande jewelry?
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy New Year!
Yes, I love my FK. I did gift many of my pieces to a friend who was ill and admired it but could not afford it. Happy New Year!!
Hi Jennifer,
I have so enjoyed your blog as I sip my morning, before I make my daily to-do-list and start my day. I would enjoy also reading more about self-care and how you maintain your mental and physical health.
Thanks Sharon. I will start sharing more of my morning routines and self-care.
I love to wear yellow on gloomy rainy days. I have plenty of gray, find it a nice change from black. I am a widow trying to pay down debt before retiring, so I would need to think about paying a few for more content, but I will consider it!
There really is nothing quite like yellow on a gray, gloomy day:). Happy New Year Julie
Jennifer, I came to your blog for fashion advice and inspiration but you quickly became a favourite because of your positive, kind and common sense attitude combined with intelligence and wit. I enjoy your everyday stories of famiily, travel and mostly, how you navigate life at this stage. Finally, someone I can relate to!
I am still working and very short of time so I’ll pass on a private group.
Like my fellow Canadians, I unfortunately cannot support many clothing shopping sites in the U.S. It breaks my heart that chains like Chicos, White House/Black Market and Pier1 have pulled out of Canada and I fear more will follow due to the pandrmic. It’s just too expensive with exchange, duty and shipping.
What I really like is when you share new products that you have found and like. Many of those I’ve eairher tried or are on my list. They are easier to purchase online than clothing.
Otherwise, just keeping it coming. I look forward to reading you daily!
Finally, no to the 2021 colours. Just ick on me.
Have a wonderful 2021 with good health and eventually, the ability to travel and hug family and friends! 💜
I totally understand the frustration of shopping in Canada! Duty is awful and shipping costs are crazy. Thanks for you suggestions. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!!
I would love to see and hear how to wear trending shapes of clothes and accessories for a variety of body shapes and lifestyles. Maybe have a guest doing dressing room diaries who is heavier or slimmer, an occasional plus size story, darker skin toned, darker hair, taller or shorter… just as your readers are a variety of shapes and colours showing a range of clothes would be helpful.
I’m excited to see what you have in store for 2021!
Thanks Jane. I do see how showing varying sizes and shapes would be helpful but I don’t know a woman who would allow me to photographer her and share here. I’ll try to think of alternatives.
That is a difficult one! If you team up with other bloggers of different body shapes you will all get more exposure online. You will then provide a service others are not.
Hi Jennifer,
Your blog is one of my favorites. I like how you style your clothes and have bought quite a lot of your recommendations. I feel I am more put together because of you. Your style of dressing is one of the reasons I follow you.
I agree with another reader who said you are very relatable and discuss issues that interest me. I’m not on instagram or facebook so I connect with you through your blog. I like your collaborations with Cindy and other bloggers. I appreciate your articles on self care and mental health. This has been a year those topics have been especially needed. Thank you for sharing your knowledge through your blog.
Thanks so much, Carolyn. Thanks for being here.
I think I have been following you for a number of years. What drew me to the blog is location; I moved from the east coast to SoCal 2 years ago and there’s a different look out here that I have enjoyed exploring. A private page or paying a fee doesn’t appeal to me at all. What you divulge about your life is interesting and makes the blog personal and, to me, separates A Well Styled Life from other bloggers. I like hearing about your RV trips; inspires me to explore California. DRD and Would You Wear It segments are fun. Health and beauty are always interesting to see what’s new out there and an honest opinion is valued. Happy New Year Jennifer! I appreciate your effort and work you put into this blog!
Hi Jennifer, my thoughts about your blog echo most of the others. I really enjoy your posts; information that is practical but still fun & interesting.
If you’re looking for new topics, I would love to know if you have any information or insights about permanent eye makeup. As I age my brows, lashes, etc. have become so pale I feel like an Amish doll with no face. I hate applying eye makeup daily, but it’s that or no eyes at all.
Thanks… Happy New Year!🥳
I really enjoy your blog as it is, but my favorite parts are drd. Since it’s so hard to get out these days it’s super helpful when someone does it for you! I think you have way more clothes and accessories than I do and I’d love to see how you organize them so maybe more blogs on organization? I do love the little personal things you share about your health and your family. I wouldn’t mind knowing how you eat because you have such a nice figure, and I wonder if you exercise.
I have read your blog these years because you are a down to earth, relatable woman who chats about real life issues that interest me. I don’t have facebook or instagram, so this is how I connect with you. I enjoy your snippets of travel and home and liked your checking in from quarantine with Vanessa. I like the fashion, skin care, makeup and books, well I could go on. I have bought a few of the books recomended and enjoyed all of them. DRD is fun and would you wear it as well. Once in a while styling for other types would be fun, and with your stylist background can be an idea we would not think of. I like also when you team up with Cindy and others for a style challange. I guess you could say I do follow you because of what you already do and thoroughly enjoy enjoy it all. As someone else mentioned, living in Canada, it is difficult to support you with the shopping sites as the duties and exchange are astronomical in some cases, but I have gotten a few things. Have a wonderful year going forward and stay safe in the meantime.
2020 has been a time when I started reading blogs and watching utube videos more, being on shut down started that. I am not at this time looking to pay for any of these sites as I am watching / reading too many of them. I liked your color analysis journey, that was interesting, and DRD is helpful to see new trends. Shoe recommendations are always useful. I like the collaboration with other shaped bloggers wearing a certain style, as I’m a pear shape, that’s helpful. I like information on petite sizing, and summer coloring the most. Thanks for all your work.
*no
*no
*no
*yes
Thank you for asking!
One thing that most bloggers never do is combine forces to show how the exact same outfit looks differently and is styled differently on different body types. This could be accomplished by partnering with another blogger occasionally or by having guests on your blog who are a different body type. I’d be interested in a feature like this.
Oh I like that idea of guests with different body types. It’s often difficult to picture how an outfit that looks so great on Jennifer would actually look on me (I’m 5’4″ and “chunky”). I do like the DRD because it helps to see different items on someone else.
I love doing DRD too. Thanks Ann.
Jennifer, I love today’s outfit! I’ve been eyeing that sweater, but hadn’t thought I could justify another sweater. Still, this one seems like a nice option, a mixture of cotton and wool. As for these colors, I’m not sure. I can wear yellow, even this one. But not many people can, and I bet it won’t be popular. The gray isn’t very nice either–reminds me of a cloudy day. I gravitate to gray, it’s one of the neutrals crowding my closet, so maybe I’ll find pieces to replace some worn out items (I’m looking at you, jeans).
As for the other things you mention, I don’t go anywhere near Facebook or Instagram so a private group on those platforms wouldn’t work for me. I always enjoy seeing you style things, both on yourself and others.
I think an extension of the Facebook page where you weighed in on accessories or making our own personal pieces more versatile in our wardrobe would be interesting. Your good eye for design and silhouette and your kind words seem like they could lift people up and keep the community spirit going!
Jennifer, I really enjoy reading your posts and look forward to my favorites, the DRD and the Would You Wear It posts. Also, I enjoy your travel posts, discussions about books, and posts where you share about your life & family. Having said all of that, I prefer that you get compensated through your advertisers and through a portion of sales that result from your posts rather than through a paid blog system. (I do my part by buying lots of stuff through your links!)
Hope the new year will bring you and your family good health and much happiness!
Good morning from the mid south l’ve tried pale yellow tops for spring and summer which work well with a tan not a fan of the gray enjoy your detail of outfits for your trips comfortable and functional as for your personal info you may want to proceed with caution be safe with love and understanding
Thanks Heather
Any articles of healthy eating and just general physical and mental well being would be of interest to me. I am at peace with myself when this is a daily focus and I can see the benefits of self care.
You anchored your outfit today with neutrals and that allowed your new sweater to be the featured piece. I like simple, well thought out accessories that don’t overtake the entire look.
I guess that is how I approach my hair and makeup routine also.
I don’t use a lip liner and prefer a softer lip color. If I’m smiling the stronger lip color is fine but when I am not smiling, it can look too harsh. When I look in the mirror, there is a certain expression or profile that looks good but that’s not what most people see. A friend said she caught a glance of herself in a store mirror and thought “is that what I look like”.
Thankyou for keeping me in the groove and feeling empowered to always do better!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment Jan. I think many of us have caught our reflection and been surprised. I know I have.
I have downsized tremendously with social media this year, and yours is the only blog I still regularly read. I found your blog searching for fashion ideas a few years ago, and even though I’m in a different climate, wear different colours and have a different body type, I still get inspiration from almost all your blogs. I like that you are actually a trained stylist, and your knowledge and expertise comes through in your writing. I so enjoy your travel segments and DRD and with all the sharing you’ve done this year, I feel like I am catching up with a good friend now.
I also appreciate it when you ask us for suggestions on books, skincare etc. and have bought a few books suggested.
I would love a closet tour (yes, ok I’m nosy) as I’m always interested in how others organize their clothes and accessories.
Living in Canada, I don’t order online from the U.S stores, so wondering if there is a way to link to some Canadian stores i.e. Nordstrom has a Canadian site also.
Yes, I would pay for a private group page.
Thank you for all you do Jennifer – you are amazing.
I agree with this lady as I am a Canadian , a different age and body type but I always read your blog and like what you say. I am 77 next year, enjoy being current, but life has changed drastically for us with the pandemic but we are trying to make the best of the situation! No travel, gatherings and even grocery shopping done on line! I have always been very up and still am but currently am using a happy light each morning just to keep the brain fog at bay and the spirits up. Starting my day with reading your blog certainly helps. I do feel badly that I cannot find most of your items in Canada , like the lip info this morning so will try and find something similar ….
Happy new year to you and the family Jennifer, whatever you currently do works for me.
Greatly appreciated!
My husband just said there is a foot of new snow outside… yiks!
Wow!! At least the snow is bright!! Lighting is so important during the winter months up north. I needed one when I lived there. Happy New Year Sue! I’ll see what I can do about Canadian links.
I say I agree with this post but life in Texas. I will add I am short waisted and maybe show what works or not on short waisted and on long waisted.
I would like to know your measurements. We seem the same weight but sometimes I feel like you are smaller and I am afraid to order because of busy or hip size. I totally understand if you do not care to give that information, however. Thanks for all you do.
Body measurements are so critical for proper fit. I wish brands would list it on their websites. I will find a tape measure. I know I have one somewhere. I have narrow hips and a broad back and shoulders.
I am still working on getting those Canadian links for my readers. Google knows where my laptop is so they make it very difficult to grab .ca links. Thank you so much, Yvonne.
I don’t usually wear yellow, but decided to give it a go several months ago and ordered a top that is a print (something else I rarely wear) that combines pale yellow with navy blue. I like it! I also like your private Facebook group, Jennifer… just wish more people would join and participate.
Thanks Ann. Soft yellow with navy is very pretty.
The gray is soothing and while I am not in general a fan of yellow, I can definitely see using small pops if this color and enjoying it! My mood is lightening as we get closer to ending this horrible year. It was supposed to be my year of freedom. I retired but it was to care for my ailing husband. Perhaps 2021 will bring a balance for all of us that this year has definitely lacked.
Not sure about a page to pay to be a member of at this point but I am definitely not ruling it out! I enjoy reading your posts and the comments of others.
Let’s all hope for more freedom and joy in 2021. Happy New Year Linda!
I agree the colours will not be coming into my wardrobe. Any of your ideas about would make interesting reads.
Thanks for your content. I am looking to make some diet and activity changes to management my health and well being this year. Reading from Ontario Canada
Thanks Pat
For today’s style I would not wear yellow. It makes me look washed out and pale. Yellow is just a bad color for me.
I would like a more personal and I would pay a small fee for it.
Happy New Year!!!
Thanks Linda! Happy New Year
Thank you so much for your blog!
Would love to read more about your trips, i.e. hotels/Motels , restaurants, places to stay – I am from Germany, we are retired and love now going on vacation. What, which places can you recommend?
Please take care of your health – ein glückliches neues Jahr wünsche ich!
Angela
Happy New Year! Hopefully we all get to travel in 2022!