This is my very first guest blogger, “Twin Bear”. I am so excited to have her here, and I hope that you are too 🙂

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One night, I was having drinks with Jillian when a woman approached us and said, “Excuse me- I just wanted to tell you that I love your style, and the pattern and color of your dress. I could never wear that color!”

I replied, “There is a color spectrum for every woman. You just have to find the colors that work for you. You would look great in baby blue crop pants and a yellow skinny belt. Those colors are soft, yet bold enough for you to ease your way into the world of color.”

She smiled and said, “Really, you think? Thanks.”

Jillian whispered, “You should do a guest blog on fashion, because this happens waaaay too often.”

So, here I am- a colored girl who loves color. Color has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up, I could relate seriously with Punky Brewster, and not just because of her back story. PB had serious style. My back-to-school shopping trips were to the thrift store where clothes were purchased by the pound. I found the thrift store was the equivalent of being let loose in a dream world. I was an excitable child (WAS? She still is! ~Jillian), and I would run around touching fabrics, picking colors, and making perfect ensembles.

These days I have a style crush on the imaginary adult PB and Solange. When Jillian wrote her blog on fashion icons, I told her I would love a peep in their closets. So, Jillian walked into mine and pulled out a slew of amazing pieces. We all need a good friend to remind us of our own blessings! I am now, however, overwhelmed with my closet. As I was trying to decide what to pack for vacation, I thought about Jillian’s offer to write a post.

 WARNING you may find this less of a fashion post, and more my asking you “What do you pack for vacation?” and “How should I pack my own suitcase (Jillian and I got ours from Amazon)?”

 
I started by putting on a fashion show for my very own Superman, and snapped photos for Jillian (isn’t this how all women decide what to wear?). At the first dress, Superman looked up and replied “Are we supposed to be going somewhere?” (men!)

I informed him that I was modeling outfits to decide what to take on vacation. His reply “Seriously?! Well, don’t pack more than three pairs of shoes and 10 outfits, and don’t forget a coat.”

Had he been reading up on packing? I did know that I had to be judicious in packing, since the airport luggage fees are killer, 10 outfits for seven days seemed fair (How many outfits do you take on vacation?), and I would need outerwear. I had to agree that he might be right.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 I decided I would build my vacation wardrobe around my Ann Taylor navy blue blazer (similar). The price was daunting, but I was won over by its clean lines and beautiful silk polka dot lining. It’s a piece I can dress up with dresses, or down with jeans (I believe 90% of your wardrobe should be able to do double duty; as space, time, and money are too precious for them not to). This blazer will be balancing my bold colors and prints.

I definitely think that if you wear a bold color or print, you must turn the rest of the look down- “Less is more!”

However, that does not apply to shoes! How does one pick three pair of shoes for 10 outfits? Talk about cruel and unusual punishment! I told Superman just that, and his reply was “Well, you own one purse” (men!) I decided to not mention that I indeed definitely own more than one purse, this particular one is just my current favorite 🙂
 
 
 
 
 
 

I went to my shoe closet, stared, and thought- okay, definitely a pair of sandals to show off my vacation pedicure, something comfortable (after all, I have a city to explore), and maybe something Carrie Bradshaw. What do you think?

❤ Twin Bear