[Spring Garden]

The first blush of the Spring garden is very enchanting. I love welcoming the newness of these spring gardens as it offers such freshness and hopes of a new season filled with new beginnings... a fresh start.

[Ribbons]

I always keep a bag of ribbons and trims in my creative tool box to use for various purposes from decorating a table, wrapping a gift, to updating a lamp shade, pillow, dress, blouse or accessory …

I collect new ribbons, old ribbons recycled ribbons of various colors, shades and texture to be a creative resource for new ideas….

[Accessories]

Accessories are an inexpensive way to change the overall look of your outfit…

The right Accessories; jewelries, scarves and handbags can make a simple dress, suit or jeans look completely different.. It is a Great way to stretch the look of your wardrobe on a cost sensitive budget…

Also packing the right accessories for travel, is a lighter and easier way to go…less is best...so take time to choose the right pieces for your look and style.

Accessories may be worn different ways to take you from day to night...

Take a long beaded or chain necklace...double up the necklace for day and wear it long for a more "free spirit" look for evening …

[ The Classics - Fashion Tips for All Seasons ]

Yesterday I was having an afternoon visit and tea with a young friend of mine.  She had on a great pair of boots that she had recently purchased for her upcoming travels. She talked about how she wanted the boots to have, a nice look with simple details and most importantly to be comfortable. I had commented on the look of the boots having a nice classic look, and with a smile she responded and shared - “I am really a classic type of gal and have found I look best in the classical styles of clothing.”

I immediately found myself getting excited to share with her that I was researching some new topics for my Ladyhood Blog and the idea I decided to write about is "classic pieces" as the the foundation of one's wardrobe.  I believe that everyone should have  “classic pieces” as the foundation of their wardrobe all year round…as the “classics” never go out of style…

I added that I was researching articles in some of current issues of fashion magazines and newspapers, and found that the general fashion theme for the upcoming Spring Season is “Classic Ladylike” pieces and accessories. I have even found this spring's trend push is called " Classics Revisited"... I was pleased to see that trends are looking back to some of what I call basic essentials for one’s wardrobe, the “classics”. As the "classics" never go out of style....

The Essentials for a Classic Inspiring Wardrobe for All Seasons…

The Classic Blazer

Find a blazer style that is best for your shape and size. I tend to like a blazer that is hip length and shapes one’s figure…

For Classic Blazer Colors-I suggest Black, Blue or Brown - as we all know; “Black goes with everything.”

To add a little spice to your Blazer collection, I always like to add a color that "pops" and makes a statement like~ pink or purple for the spring and red or a velvet texture for the fall and winter.

The Classic Pants

I always think you should have a nice pair of slacks in your collection for your work attire that you can also dress up for evening. For the weekends I think it is fun to have jeans of jean-like trousers.

Skirts and Blouses-

I am truly a person who loves to mix and match pieces from my wardrobe to create various looks with just a few items.

This is why I always have couple of nice skirts in my collection. I like wearing the classic knee or tea length skirts; as they can be worn for work with heals or boots, with flats for running around or dressed up for the weekend gateways. As Channel said "A lady should always wear her skirts no shorter than knee length…"

A Blouse depending on style, color, design or texture will set the stage for your overall look, from day to evening, to weekend. 

The fashion rule of thumb use to be pastels for the spring and summer and jewel tones for fall and winter, yet I am now seeing all colors of the spectrum being introduced throughout the year...

The Black Dress

Every lady needs at least one black dress in her wardrobe. I always look for a style that is best for my figure and is timeless…

Accessories

 Classic accessories will always be the greatest spice to your wardrobe…pearls, gold or sliver chains in various lengths.  Scarves and wraps, I think are essentials, not only to add a splash of color to your outfit...but are practical; as many of us are on-the-go, the scarf is a great piece to have on hand in case you have a splatter or spill on your blouse or jacket…  For those more fashion daring types- hats and nice gloves are also nice accessory accents to add to one's wardrobe.

To keep one’s look fresh and fun,each season, I suggest that you add accent pieces of colors with a blouse, skirt or dress accompanied with "contemporary" accessories that you can mix with your classic pearls and chains...

The Outfit; Work to Weekend

The great thing about a good classic blazer is it can play many roles in your wardrobe from work, to evening to the weekends...

To create your classic blazer wardrobe for every season all you need to add is your "5" basic pieces~ a dress, blouse, skirt, slacks and jeans with your accessory accents, a scarf, jewelry, great handbag and shoes … and you’re ready to go! A Simple and Classic Fashions can live through many seasons...

So enjoy creating your classic wardrobe….

[ Decorating for the Holidays]

With the Holidays quickly approaching, as they seem to do so every year, I like to remind myself not to let my day-to-day schedule over run the meaning of the Holiday Season… One of my secrets of being able to enjoy this special Season, is to keep things simple and within a budget.  From gift shopping - to decorating - to preparing holiday meals, I think is important that we keep it simple, so we may take time to enjoy the moments with family and friends.

As an Artist, I love to take a creative approach to Holiday decorating… I first look at the rooms that I will decorate as if they are a blank canvas - I sketch out in my mind or on paper the different areas of my home that I will choose to use as the focal points for the decorating story and theme. As I open my boxes of decorations, lights, ribbons, fabrics, garlands, traditional holiday books and flowers, these become my inspiration, my paints for the stories/themes to fill the blank canvas throughout my home...

My theme this year was created around Angels that I have collected throughout the years….

What is so wonderful with simple decorating is you really do not need a lot of things; you just need great imagination... Which makes it more fun to create a different theme every year.... That is why I always encourage family and friends not to rush through the decorating and preparing, but to enjoy the moments of creativity together....

Turn on some Holiday Music,

Light scented candles or create a holiday scent,

If you have a fireplace, start a fire, and

Listen to the crackles of the wood,

Imagine your theme-color, story, style etc. and

Choose your blank canvas…

You may start with areas in your home you want to be the focus of your theme, such as a Christmas tree, a Menorah, the fireplace or centerpiece for dinning table.  Once you find the focus area of your blank canvas, start painting with your decorations using colors that compliment your theme…

What I like to do to carry my theme throughout the home is by simply adding a swatch of pretty velvet fabric on a table with a Holiday Candle. Also add a bowl of extra bulbs and ribbons on a side table for color… and yes, I do love ribbon… I often create bows and tie them the tops of lamps or candle sticks to add some flair and softness to the look of the room. ***Ribbons are underestimated treasures, as they may be recycled from year to year.

So this year, I invite you to Keep it Simple as you are preparing for the Holidays. You will truly be able to enjoy the gifted moments of the season with family and friends.

[ The Hostess Gift … the simple gesture of “Thank You”]

A tradition I have carried forth through the years… is the gracious thank you with a hostess gift. I think it is really special when someone opens their home to you as a guest, to share their personal side of themselves with you.

I have noticed throughout the years, with the increase of technology occupying every aspect of our lives with promises  of "instant" connections and interactions ... I find that less and less do I hear the simple words of " thank you". The words "thank you" are two of the easiest words to say, which are… I know, so uplifting to one's soul when one hears these words. As many of us are moving quickly through the day we may forget to slow down and to remember… to express a little “thank you” to a family member, friend or colleague....

A "Hostess Gift " represents a simple gesture of thanks. It does not have to be costly or elaborate…  it is a genuine gesture from the heart.Such as a  handwritten note accompanied with a keepsake gift, like a candle, flowers/plant, handmade craft or a delicate food treat. A gift of “kindness and thanks” –an appreciation for sharing the special time together in one’s treasured home or for a special gathering. To say "thank you" for sharing a personal time and space...for a gifted moment....

[Lighting Candles - Passing on a Reflection of Tradition…]

When I was newly married, Xzandrya, my friend and mentor, had shared with me one of the secrets to her joyous 66 years of marriage; lighting candles for dinner every night.  She had shared that by lighting candles, we would change the mood of the day … to a peaceful reflection of light and calmness.

Years later, we as a family, whether together or apart from one another, light candles for dinner every night to change away from the haste of our full everyday lives. Our tradition of lighting candles slows us down …

to take time,

to share some quiet moments with our family or friends,

to reflect upon our experiences from the day, and

to refresh one’s soul for tomorrow…