If Looking at the world through rose colored glasses isn’t working, try honeysuckle! Honeysuckle has just been deemed color of the year by The Pantone Color Institute, the world’s authority on color. Experts say this hue has the power to lift spirits and impart confidence to meet life's ongoing challenges.

“Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother, the color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute® in a pantone.com interview.



In nature, honeysuckle is the plant whose blossoms provide life sustaining nectar to hummingbirds, one of the few species with beaks long enough to reach into the tube-like flowers.

“The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer,” Eiseman said.




As sweet as the honeysuckle’s fragrance is, it’s the vision of this color that attracts birds and consumers alike to this flower. This reddish-pink color has been spotted on a wide range of celebs from the tween-idol Kristen Stewart to our first lady Michelle Obama.



This color has been invigorating wardrobes throughout the world this season and has even started to brighten up home décor, stationary, bedding and now even credit cards! Where will Honeysuckle go next?




http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20748&ca=1
http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20821&ca=4

Building a wardrobe on a Budget!

I recently decided to ditch everything in my closet and start over. I had finally had enough with a closet that was overflowing with clothing, but contained nothing I actually wanted to wear. So I decided to donate everything to a local homeless relief effort (with the exception of a few designer dresses I couldn’t bare to part with). I reluctantly handed over 5 large bags of clothing, and was thanked with such sincerity that I immediately knew I did the right thing.

So there I was, re-building my wardrobe from scratch, and this time on a budget! So, I decided to seek the wisdom of Lauren Conrad in her latest book Lauren Conrad Style.

Dressing Up to Go Out

I went out to Las Vegas for a girlfriends bachelorette this weekend. I don't go out often so I don't give much thought to dressing up beyond the dress or the perfect jeans with a dressy top or the shoes. I had my outfit picked out in advance for once, a beautiful little black skirt with a simple black tank paired with some colorful heels. I even went as far as having the jewelry ready, a long beaded cross necklace paired with a bunch of beaded bracelets. I realized there was so much more to wearing that perfect little outfit than I remembered.

Every one of the seven other girls had a perfect little clutch which was just essential. Who can carry around those gigantic purses we carry daily when you have on such a precious little ensemble? So I was lacking a clutch. Sometimes you may be lacking the perfect little sweater but in my case it was way too hot too worry about outerwear. And then there was the hair and makeup. Some of us have a hairdo that can just get a little more fluffy for going out, and apparently some others have a whole other style they just whip out and whip up. I felt like I needed a whole other lesson in hair and make-up when I was done getting ready with those ladies. They had a make-up case filled to the brim with loose shimmer powders and loose gold shadow. It never looked overdone on them either, they just looked ready to go out, ready for the event of the night.

I'm sure I looked ready but I left with a new feeling that I can get a little better prepared for special events. I thought with graduation parties left and right as well as weddings and a dozen other reasons to celebrate this time of year, some ladies out there could use some support through these trying times. It is a lot for us to get together guys. This doesn't come easy. It goes beyond the outfit and shoes, we have to think about beauty products, headbands, hand-bags, our jewelry being gold or silver or colored, and then we have to match. phew. Well I guess it's all worth it because when we get it right it makes us feel so good.

What is Not in Style Right Now?

It is such a peculiar time in fashion right now. There have been times in the past where 70's fashion was in, and then it would be the 80's, or 40's or whatever era was in again at the time. Right now every era is in. In my search to find what's the hottest things right now I became so perplexed with this moment in fashion.
The key to fashion right now it seems is that every era goes, you can even pair the era's together, but the golden rule is this: don't make it look ugly. I found sailor fashion being hot for the summer, but you can do it with a modern stripe top, a sandal with rope, or a classic cut 1940's type dress, its up to you. Gladiator sandals are everywhere, but so are vintage looks in sandals.
The purse above I thought said it all. It looks like a vintage clutch done with 80's style red leather. This has got to be the easiest time in history to be in fashion. You get it right if you are boho chic or old Hollywood glamour. It seems that one thing remains constant though, classic and basic cuts are are
taking center stage.

Can You Wear Boots in the Summer?

Yes You Can! Some people automatically push their boots to the back of the closet and make them patiently wait for Fall. Boots can spice up an outfit faster in the Summer than in the Winter. Dresses and skirts are so hot in the fashion world right now, and although the perfect sandal is also a summertime necessity don't forget your boots. Another plus is that you can make the same dress you wore with sandals or heels look and feel different with boots.

There have been endless bloggers and persons with fashion advice bashing UGG's for a couple of years now. I don't think they should be worn for fashion in the summer, but I don't think they are going out of style no matter how much the runways hate them. I think you can still sport your UGG's on a cold morning headed for the tanning salon, or grabbing some coffee. I would advise not to wear them as a fashion piece out at night but you always have to show your trusty UGG's some love.

If you want to see some other amazing summer styles from head to toe worn with boots check in with Free People, they have been making outfits Boho Chic with boots for years now. At denM, we love it.

Peace.

What to Wear to a Funeral

I am going to a funeral this week and I met another girl that had one on the weekend. We were discussing what was appropriate attire for a funeral these days. I found myself giving what to wear a lot of thought. I even went as far as asking my mother if I must wear black. I finally did some research, and deeper thought on the issue, and decided to share what I found. Now I can help someone else out.

The first thing you need to do is think about the type of funeral you will be attending. If it is being held in a very formal environment such as a big Catholic church, or in a location known to be flooded with wealthy or upper class people then your attire will most likely need to be formal. Men, in this case, should wear black suits with black ties and ladies would be in longer, covering black dresses, with closed toed black heels and possibly a black hat. Think of a funeral scene from a movie and you'll get the picture.

However, the majority of funerals these days are not that formal. They are gatherings meant to mourn and celebrate the life lost and lived of the person who passed. What you wear should reflect the statement you are making in your thoughts regarding the person lost. It is easier to celebrate the life of a person lost after a very long and fruitful life, but it is very hard to celebrate the passing of a life cut too short. Many would not want to wear anything but black to a very upsetting funeral for a child, and you may want to wear something a little more fun to a funeral for your grandma who left quietly after many beautiful years. It is really is a matter of opinion but here are some basic rules.

• Never where bright colors such as hot pink or neon green, such a bold choice may be offensive to some. Obviously if hot pink was the deceased persons favorite color it would be appropriate for a bunch of girls to match wearing the color of her choice. There will be exceptions to the rules.

• Never dress sexy or provocative. You can never go wrong with being respectful & conservative.

• Check what church you will be going to. Some churches do not allow  your shoulders to show.

• Be clean and well put together. Shoes should be clean, and clothes should fit properly. Never wear athletic shoes or beat up jeans. 

Guys can wear a black button-up with no tie and the top button unbuttoned to look formal while feeling more casual. For a more casual look add nice jeans. For a  more formal look add slacks. Safe colors for girls include darker jewel tones, like deep purple, emerald, or even grey would be great. Many shades of blue are also very safe. The main point is not to dress to bright, or light. If you avoid being flashy or trashy and follow a few simple guide lines you can reflect your own personal style and feel comfortable. Don't stress, it's not as hard to get it right as we make it seem. 

Don't forget to accessorize this Spring. Amazing colors in bright hues are all the rage. I love it; from frilly dresses, vintage looking flowered headbands, all the way down to your yellow painted toes. Don't leave anything out. Grab a big, sparkly, hot pink cocktail ring and pair it with some hot pink studs in your ears and you won't go wrong. It feels good to be a girly-girl this Spring. denM & Nectar have all kinds of fun little things to choose from to celebrate the beautiful blue sky.