Happy Tuesday, friends.  Welcome to the continuing saga of me...Living as a Spring Palette Woman.

I confess that living as a spring palette woman has been a bit of a challenge for me.

While I have worn versions of the colors for a long time, I do not own many of the best colors.

Like the velvet top I am wearing today…it is an older John Mark top from Dillard’s that I wore on a cruise long before I learned that I am spring.

There are a few greens I can wear…but this shade is not one…though close enough I think it works.

Last year, after learning I was a spring, I ended up wearing mostly corals, the flamingo pink (Chico’s dried roses color), soft yellow, and off whites.

I think it is time to up my game this year…so after the closet re-do, this will be my plan.

LIVING AS A SPRING PALETTE WOMAN: ONE NEW WORD

Last week, I was studying my spring palette swatch book from House of Colour, and one word jumped out at me that I had not noticed before.

SPLASHY!  Synonyms of “splashy” are noticeable, dramatic, commanding, visible, notable, even…flamboyant.  I like that!

So, it occurred to me that I have been playing my spring palette a little too safe.

When I saw chocolate in my palette, I was relieved…I had plenty of brown and loved wearing brown.  But, chocolate doesn’t make my face light up as other colors do.

I could see it when I sat in the chair at our local House of Colour…I could see that the brighter colors brightened my complexion just as the new hair color does.

The challenge has been to match the exact colors in my book and to focus on the words bright and warm….yes clear and light are important; but I believe I need more of the bright and warm.

(I hope this isn’t confusing)

SHOPPING GOAL NUMBER ONE:  LOOK FOR BRIGHT, WARM, AND SPLASHY

LIVING AS A SPRING PALETTE WOMAN: IT’S IN THE STARS

Last year, I was excited to find ANY COLOR in my spring palette swatch book in a garment I liked.

But, in order to be my best warm and bright self, this year I have a different plan.

My color specialist, Kim, went through my book and put three stars on my very best colors; and two stars on the next level.

After evaluating my purchases last year, the majority were two stars.

Again, that is not a bad thing…I just want to strive for the stars this year!  It also depends on the colors that hit the racks.

My three star colors (which I know you cannot see them)…are:

Chocolate Brown is a three star neutral

Bright navy

Coral Geranium Red

Flamingo Pink…this was an exact match to the Chico’s dried roses

Kerry Green

Mint Green

Canary Yellow

Bright Blue

Violet

Aqua

SHOPPING GOAL NUMBER TWO: MAKE THREE STAR COLORS THE PRIORITY SHOPPING…TRY NOT TO SETTLE

LIVING AS A SPRING PALETTE WOMAN: COURAGE TO CHANGE

Last year, my courage to change to a spring palette was slow going.

This time when I organize the closet, I want to move out more of the old colors in my wardrobe and commit fully to the new ones.

Why do this when I like many of the old colors?

Because, I do want to look vibrant, youthful, healthy, and splashy!  Wearing the spring palette helps me to look that way.

Now that I have new eyes…the better to see colors with my dear…I can make more informed decisions.  It is amazing how different the colors look after the surgery.

I am kind of shocked at how different the swatch book looks!

Except for just a very few pieces, the majority of my jewelry is already gold.

And I do prefer wearing gold.

So, accessories are good…though I might go back through the scarves.

Thank you so much for being here today as I think through Living as a Spring Palette Woman.

As I said, there is much to be done…but this kind of work is the fun kind.

Now, what are you shopping for this spring…any colors you would like to add?

I hope to see you tomorrow with another illustration of how I can step up my game….until then…

EMBRACE TODAY & KEEP SMILING!

By Pamela Lutrell

For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way and show support for this blog.  It means the world.

AND…visit my NEW CURATED SHOP where I will be adding my finds on a regular basis.

Happy Thursday, everyone.  Welcome to my Review of House of Colour color analysis.

My review of House of Colour is the next step in my color analysis journey which I explained in yesterday’s post.

The post ended with an introduction of a very sweet, intelligent woman, Kim Clay with House of Colour.

When I was shopping in Addie’s Boutique in Abilene, I noticed that Kim stops by and labels the clothing according to the seasons…(wish all retailers allowed this!)

So, I reached out to Kim and asked if I could interview her for this blog.  Yes, I was also seeking information for me as well!

She offered to do a session with me and since I was questioning what the mirror now showed me, I jumped at it…also so I could offer you a complete review of the process.

As I wrote yesterday, I have never sat for an actual draping and I was very curious to experience the process.

Eye Opening is best way to describe my experience with the House of Colour process for color analysis.

REVIEW OF HOUSE OF COLOR COLOR ANALYSIS: BEGINNING STEPS

Kim gave an important presentation to explain the process and the benefits of color analysis.

She said we start by determining if our skin is yellow tones (warm) or blue tones (cool).

I enjoyed re-visiting what I have already experienced with color analysis…it builds confidence, it helps us in building a wardrobe that works together, and saves money and time in the long run.

For women in my over 50+ age groups, it does help us to look brighter, healthier and younger.

It was there that I began to see a difference when I lived in a place with more light…I still saw shadows on my face and neck…and looked much older to me.

I am well aware we age…but I do not want to look unhealthy and depressed as I go through these years ahead.

Kim also explains the reasons to wear our best accessory choices…warm (gold toned) and cool (silver toned).

Our accessories can look “cheap” and can take down our overall appearance if we are wearing the wrong tones.

In this review of House of Colour, I also want to note that they do help with hair color, but hair color does NOT determine our best seasons.

They cover the hair completely and ask that we not wear make-up…both of those are addressed at the end of the presentation.

Allow me to remind you, that my most recent color analysis in 2021 resulted in VIBRANT AUTUMN, and was done online…no in-person draping.

I now know the in-person draping is critical…you have to see this with your own eyes to believe it.

I would not have accepted the results without seeing it for myself…..

Shocker…….

REVIEW OF HOUSE OF COLOR COLOR ANALYSIS: A TOTAL SURPRISE

Well, hello SPRING…not the season out the window…but the colors on my face.

I have yellow undertones, so I am definitely a warm color palette.  

And I am still vibrant…just not an autumn.

Kim really did not have to say much….she allowed her work to do the talking.

I was facing a window with full sun, and as she draped the differences between autumn and spring…it was obvious I was not an autumn.

I softly said, “Oh my goodness, am I a spring?”

I could not only see what was happening on my face, but, as I mentioned, I could see it on my neck (big time!)

The colors I had been wearing as my best colors darkened my neck so much.

With the spring colors, it actually looked tighter and younger.

A few years ago, I was asked to MC a fashion show and the boutique owner dressed me in her clothing for the show.

I received so many compliments, but I insisted the jacket and top were NOT in my colors!

This happened again at a Chico’s try-on.  I tried on a no iron tunic top in coral and received so many compliments, but I insisted coral is not a best color.

Well, knock me over with a feather…it appears I was wrong.

Initially, I was shocked…but could see it…there was no denying.

My color analysis said that I am a Spring with clear, bright, light, warm colors.

As I began to process, Kim became a great counselor to help me through “wardrobe panic.”

She reminded me that I am still a warm palette,  that Vibrant autumn was just a smidge away,  I already wear gold accessories, and I do have pieces that will work for both.

Kim said, “What is important to remember is to concentrate most on what is near your top half….near your face.”

REVIEW OF HOUSE OF COLOR COLOR ANALYSIS: MY WARDROBE

As we proceeded in the color analysis, I could see it…the SPRING palette does look better.

My very best colors which have three stars by them are:

1. Chocolate: a softer, lighter brown 
2. Bright Navy
3. Tangerine
4. Coral
5. Geranium
6. Flamingo Pink (yes, the girl who never wears pink is going to give it a try)
7. Kerry Green
8. Mint Green
9. Canary Yellow
10. Violet
11. Bright Blue
12. Aqua

The two star colors are:

1. Beige
2. Dove Grey
3. Oxford Blue
4. Tan 
5. Cinnamon
6. Honey
7. Cream
8. Peach
9. Salmon
10. Shell Pink
11. Terracotta
12. Geranium Pink
13. Leaf Green
14. Apple Green
15. Corn Yellow
16. Hyacinth
17. Turquoise
18. Aquamarine

House of Colour recommends this process for the wardrobe after color analysis:

1. Use the fan to sort through the wardrobe to find exact matches and matches that tone with the palette.
2. Make a pile of those first.
3. Make a pile of clothing that does not match your best color palette…consider donating or re-sale
4. If you have items you love wearing and they are not in your palette, then go ahead and keep them for awhile…most likely we will see that we do not return to them…but I will say that after holding on to my favorite black pieces, I did return to them and they did not work.  I might as well have courage and send them on their merry way.  Why? because I like what I saw in the mirror at Kim’s studio.

I will confess that I have NEVER shopped with a fan that has colors like this on it…so I will take you along for the process…I have so much to learn.

I will tell you what I keep and send on its way and why.  But, once again, I am a student of color analysis…learning how to be a Spring in Springtime!

I also have so much to learn about the right makeup.

House of Colour does do makeup and sell it, but my makeup specialist, Brian, is also familiar with House of Color Color Analysis and he is already on the job for me.

My hair color as it has been for recent years…a honey blonde…is perfect for a spring.

There is so much to tell you in this review of House of Colour…so ask questions if I have not covered everything.  If I do not know the answers, I will ask Kim.

What is important is that at age 71…it makes a difference and I want to be my confident best always…I saw it with my own eyes...my face brightened and softened before me.

It is daunting to change from autumn to spring, but at the same time, it is exciting…told Mr. B…I have to shop!

REVIEW OF HOUSE OF COLOR COLOR ANALYSIS: ABILENE

Anyone in or near Abilene, I HIGHLY recommend Kim Clay, and she is worth every penny.

Abilene is blessed to have someone like Kim to help…she is very thorough and intelligent…all with a smile.

I have friends who have done House of Colour color analysis in San Antonio with their family members, and loved the experience.

My friend, Karen, said that it changed everything for her in a good way and she lis thankful to have a wardrobe that works for her now.

Thank you for joining me today for my Review of House of Colour Color Analysis.

Let me know if you have any questions…and join me as a go from autumn to spring!

KEEP SMILING!!

By Pamela Lutrell

Whether shopping new arrivals or clearance sales,  please shop with the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.

SEE YOU TOMORROW WITH A NEW FASHION DISPLAY