mix and match | ARTZZLE

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Let’s drop all the grays today . . . and bring some color out to play!

For a Short, Summer “Trip Away” . . . it’s Mix & Match with these 8 basic clothing pieces. interchangeable, to accommodate varied activities and weather, casual stops and anything a bit more formal, like a dinner gathering.

Daydreaming about the above collection . . . two of my granddaughters were main characters in the scenario. Each has week-away trips this summer, and so packing, travel and specific included events were considered. But Fashionistas of any age could easily adapt this look . . . by simply choosing a different skirt and shorts length and style. Also, some women would want to choose a less flared leg cut in the slacks, for a more flattering look.

Let’s start with these basic pieces. The item list stays the same for everyone, but of course, each of you will consider your individual size, style and color choices.

1 Skirt
1 Pair Shorts
1 Pair Slacks
1 Basic Dress
2 Casual blouses (1 patterned, 1 plain color; short sleeved works too)
1 3/4 Sleeve Top (for variety and rainy/cooler conditions)
1 Jacket (I chose a short-waist, b/w stripe that works as dressy or casual)

Are you asking “Why Choose Black For Summer”? I chose black because my daydream was about my granddaughters’ upcoming events, and the “on-the-road” aspects. First of all, the “Black goes with most anything” idea and the “Little Black Dress” rule (which also includes slacks) always travel well. Black doesn’t show spots and stains as boldly as lighter colors do. An easy wipe away will usually do the trick, without laundering, which no one wants to do on a short leisure trip (especially teenagers!).

Perhaps the best reason for black in basic pieces is . . . it’s trait of adapting so well in a mix & match group. It DOES go with almost anything, and BETTER yet, in classic styles as seen with this dress and slacks choice, these items can be “dressed up” or “kept more casual”, depending on which accessories you use.

Accessories List.

2 – 4 Pairs Shoes. The 2 for me would be the striped heels and the aqua flats.
2 – 3 Belts
2 – 3 Scarves
1 medium sized purse/bag
2 – 3 each of jewelry pieces, i.e. necklaces, bracelets, earrings, optional broaches

Here comes the color . . . and the Fun!

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Do more with everything. For example, that cute striped jacket looks great with the black slacks. And the separate jewelry items can be mixes in a million ways.

The purpose of MIX & MATCh is versatility from few items. These clothes (and necessary personal pieces) will fit into one decent sized suitcase. A smaller, carry-case would hold accessories, makeup, hair essential and the like.

So you’re on your way,to that quick, easy and light trip . . . but you have all you need!

TIPS:

Folding and packing clothes FLAT allows more room AND doesn’t wrinkle as badly
Slip shoes into ZIP LOC bags to contain pairs, and not get clothing pieces dirty
CHOOSE easy care fabrics when possible; can be rinsed/hung/dried by next day
ZIP LOCs are also great to contain all those small items AND jewelry if you don’t have a cloth jewelry roll available
Bags are best for all liquid and twist lid items. No problems accidental leaks.

I would love to get your ideas on outfit combinations . . . and all else from today. Leave a comment or you can find my email on my profile page.

This post was fun for me . . . hope you like it too!

Remember . . . if you stress too much . . . that trip won’t be as much fun!

Later – Cheryl

PS: APOLOGIES for the erratic spacing in this post. Working between VISUAL, TEXT and three individual Polyvore articles, seems to have scewed the platforms.

*** This original article “EZ Pack Summer Trip Wardrobe!” appeared first on Artzzle.com. No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission and accreditation from contributors. Outside sources are marked when available.

Hi All.

Calendars say it’s Spring but weather has many of us still stuck inside . . . and our brains are fried . . . with boredom. What I do for this malady, is rearrange, a lot! It refreshes the spaces in your home and your mind. Best part is, it doesn’t cost anything!

Just be careful with heavy stuff. You don’t want any ER trips for a back out of whack.

Today, I have hints on how to improve your furniture groupings.

Let’s pretend you’re looking at one of your main living areas, and you think “it’s not so bad, I like my stuff in here.” But there’s just a little something off and you wish you could fix it. Consider the area below, a conversation area in an average sized living room.

Nice things here so what’s wrong?

Maybe because most of our first places are small, we want to push things out and use every inch of space when we graduate to bigger rooms. It’s almost a natural instinct, but spreading out dooms arrangements. The group above is dead because of the spread.

Tighten Up

Move pieces closer together, making it a more inviting arrangement. Below, notice how we pulled the chairs closer together, angled them and centered things, table and all, under the wall clock. This is a conversation area, but now you won’t have to yell across the room to converse! Make your pieces communicate, so that your guests can too!.

Add More . . . Sometimes

YES . . . me, the “no clutter” freak . . . I just told you to add more stuff here. Key word here is “sometimes”. The solitary plant gets some company with another plant and vase. And all are moved closer to the seating. By using three items instead of the one lonely plant and positioning them beneath the picture, you create more interest and also better flow for the eye, connecting everything in your arrangement. The blue keeps going with the second planter. We also added the matching ottoman for the easy chair. I mean, what would you do with it otherwise?

Okay, I did take away somethings – the picture was replaced with a larger, more color appropiate one. And a table lamp is substituted for the floor lamp.

Remember to always provide good lighting for every seating arrangement.

More Easy Tricks

Above, simply using a different lamp, and swapping the coordinating lounger for the matching chair, quickly gives you another look.

Below, we added some toss pillows, changed back to the larger lamp and went to a bigger table. Now this group will work for reading and/or TV viewing as well as conversation. We’re beginning to experiment with the floor arrangment and try a third picture.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

No Big Deal if something doesn’t work. Here the plant behind the chair just doesn’t work, AND should be removed 2. The new “two” pillow colors and the added oranges in the floor group and the table lamp, DO work and now you have yet another change.

TIP 1: In furniture arrangement consider communication and conversation. These might seem to be the same things but here, you want your furnishings to communicate, as well as your guests. Pulling pieces together avoids that isolated, disconnected look. Conversation is a given when more than one seating piece is involved, because you are inviting two guests to sit, and they’ll want to talk, so don’t make them shout by spreading things out.

TIP 2: Comfort is always important, whether in a single chair grouping or a conversation area. Remember to include proper lighting and available table surface in any seating arrangement, for comfortable use. And angle chairs towards each other. Avoid pushing everything flat up against the wall.

TIP 3: Use what you have. Everything doesn’t have to match to work together in a grouping. Use what you have and what you love. Relate pieces through color, accessories and good arrangement. Sometimes the differences in pieces are what make the grouping interesting.

Above all, have fun. Don’t stress, just start.

Hey, I love hearing from you. What do you think? Leave a reply below . . . and let me know!

Later – Cheryl

This original article “Spring Arrived but We’re Still Inside” appeared first on Artzzle.com. No included content or photography can be used elsewhere without specific permission and accreditation.

ARTZZLE

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Tag Archives: mix and match

“EZ Pack” Summer Trip Wardrobe

Spring Arrived …but We’re Still Inside

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