Summer Retro Stylin'

I adore this outfit! Turquoise and hot pink are two of my favorite summer colors, especially set against black. These sandals are totally fabulous - don't you agree? I am absolutely having a retro-craving this month. From this look a couple of weeks ago to 60s inspired sheath dresses, I am in the midst of a mild "generation misplacement" crisis. It happens quite frequently. 

I'd love to know, what is your wardrobe craving this summer?! 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, toodles!

Shop the look:

Raoul Aria Dress

Kate Spade Square Stud Earrings

Lana Monogram Signet Ring

Banana Republic Flavia Foldover Clutch

Essie Haute in the Heat

Aminah Abdul Jillil Bow Sandal

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dressing for a drive

This spring, I made my first "big girl" purchase - a new car! I picked a cute, white VW golf. It's great. I like the size, the simplicity, and zipping around town in my little ride. It's everything I need and I am happy with the purchase...we'll see 5 years down the road... **fingers crossed**. 

It took me forever to finally buy a car, I was fortunate to drive my family's third car, but reality finally set-in that I'd be working and living in Cincinnati for at least a couple of years. Since my idea of subway travel and metropolitan walking was no longer in the imminent future, a car couldn't be held off any longer. To be completely honest, my delay was not just limited to big city living. 

Although I am not a big fan of driving, I have an affinity for classic cars. Cars with "character." Namely, a Grand Wagoneer, vintage Land Rover, or old school Mercedes station wagon. 

Yes, I thought it was totally reasonable that one of these would be my first car - because things like making sure my car didn't die in the middle of a highway wasn't that important in comparison to looking totally chic. 

When my head finally thought logically (at least in the transportation realm), I settled on a VW and found a golf that worked perfectly. It doesn't mean that I still don't have aspirations of having a car with the right "character" down the road...but in the meantime, I can live vicariously through my inspiration pool, toodles!

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The Original Pantone Color Guide

Each week I write a blog post for my company, Cristofoli-Keeling. Last week's post was particularly interesting and I wanted to share with all of you!

Color My World.
The Pantone Color Guide is the standard for visual representation of color arranged to be a source of inspiration for the design and décor industries, among other uses, including color matching on-press. All 2,100 colors are compiled in a flip deck, making it easier for creatives to manage their aspirations in a comprehensive and compact format – while perhaps giving others anxiety about how many different shades of white exist! The fashion, interior, cosmetic, product design, and home furnishing industries are influenced and reliant on the Pantone’s color standards. Pantone released its original color guide in 1963, but it was not the first to bring the color spectrum together as a guide and resource.
Last month, the “original Pantone” was discovered by Erik Kwakkel, tucked away in a French Library. Almost three centuries before the Pantone Color Guide was invented, an unknown Dutch artist named A. Boogert, mixed and described every color imaginable in an 800-page book, Treatise on Colors, now available online in high resolution.
Treatise on Colors was developed in 1692, intended to be an educational guide on mixing watercolors. The author thoroughly explains the use of color in paintings and how to change tones by adding different portions of water. In accordance with the descriptions, the artist documents hundreds of colors to show the variations in the color spectrum. The final project was the most comprehensive guide to paint and color of its time; and the manuscript is truly a work of art. Although the creation was most likely intended to be an instructional manual, there was only one copy of the book – seen by very few. Thanks to the Internet, the encyclopedic guide is garnering attention and awe the world over.
With this discovery, it’s interesting to look at how the use of color has changed since the hand-painted color guide over 300 years ago, to its more contemporary version, The Pantone Color Guide. The purpose ofTreatise on Colors was for artists to incorporate these practices in their artwork – for pure artistic renderings. The Pantone Color Guide is most commonly used, as a color selection tool for interior designers, graphic designers, architects, package designers and the like.  Today, a discovery of the theoretical approach might be exactly what the design industry needs. Graphic designer, John Herskind, has commented, “there are people who learn a little bit about Photoshop and now they’re a graphic designer without knowing anything that goes into good design…there are people now who call themselves ‘creative directors’ and don’t know how to use a Pantone book.” Maybe the resurfacing of this masterful work of art will re-inspire this modern wave of artists to not only reassess the implementation of resources like the Pantone Color Guide, but more importantly, to appreciate the artistic theory and creation behind the hues.

If you'd like to read more of my posts, visit Piehole every Wednesday. Enjoy - Toodles!

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the dancer

Twirl:, what a fabulous inspiration for Friday! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, toodles!

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Playing For Change

One of the coolest projects I have seen in awhile. Sara Bareilles is partnering with musicians around the world to record some of our favorite songs. Sara Bareilles is known for her recent hit, Brave, and one of my favorites, King of Anything. She has a quirky and clever, style but more than that, her songs are empowering.
I love that Bareilles is taking her message beyond the lyrics, and adapting her songs in a way to make the world a better place. Her upcoming album will feature 185 musicians from 31 countries. The project puts together the sounds of all the artists to recreate music, a global language. The goal: to unite people across all cultures.
The song below was premiered exclusively on Elle this week. Marvin Gaye is one of my favorite artists and I especially like What's Going On. This is a fantastic rendition - a beautiful collaboration.
If you are interested in learning more about the cause, you can explore the entire YouTube site and see other previews of the Playing For Change initiative.
The album, Playing for a Change 3: Songs Around the World will be out June 17.
Toodles!

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the white sheath

Nothing says summer better than a simple sheath dress, especially in white. 

My cousin is graduating from eighth grade tonight and all the girls wear white dresses, a Catholic school tradition. I still have my white dress from my eighth grade graduation, and miraculously - it fits! My wonderful mom sews and made some adjustments to the dress when I was in high school, but it's always excitng to rediscover old favorites that fit again! Now that I have a new item to outfit plan with, I have pulled it out of my closet a number of times to test different looks.

**Confession - when I can't sleep, I play dress up in my closet...

It is such a great staple for a classic summer wardrobe and I love the flexibility of wearing it with different colors and accessories. Today I am wearing it with a navy blazer, blue and white checked shoes with a big navy flower, and a white "Velma Flintstone" necklace. 

With a change in accessories - I can have a totally new look as well. The LBD looks so much better as the LWD with a golden glow and the summer sun! It's such a timeless look that will work for a multitude of occasions. I totally recommend investing in one yourself - stick with a classic and structured style that will last for years to come! 

Hope you have a fabulous week, toodles!

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summer in the 60s

Happy Friday!

I came across this image on one of my favorite street style blogs, The Sartorialist. I love this splashy dress in a vintage cut and the petite kitten heel slingbacks are such a divine addition. Makes quick get-a-ways that much easier!

Turning the tables back to the 1960s today with this image and one of my favorite songs that pops up on my Vintage Cocktail Party playlist - because everyone needs to have one :)

Enjoy your weekends, toodles!

(via The Sartorialist)

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