A Fond Farewell to Summer 2021
Please join with me as I bid a fond farewell to summer 2021.
Oh, I realize that summer is still here officially on the calendar…and, yes, there is heat and humidity out my door.
However, for me…I always begin my fall with September 1…I want it to be as long as possible…since I love it so much.
MY FOND FAREWELL TO SUMMER 2021
I cannot remember enjoying a summer more than I have this one.
We have experienced several days of rain and managed to stay in the upper 90s the majority of time. (We usually have many days in a row above 100)
I have enjoyed being my own boss and working with Leigh Ann to bring you great style stories.
But, of course, it was my style refresh which began in June and changed everything!
You can see in that first picture how I changed from one summer to the next.
Last year, my closet was disjointed coming out of a long, long professional-office career. I now know that I was dressing for other people and not for me.
Changing my colors and style has brought so much joy and confidence in this new stage of my life
My closet now is a cornucopia of saturated vibrant fall colors….not because that is the new season, but because that is the new me!
You can read all of the Style Refresh posts by going to the top of this page and clicking on Style Refresh…scroll to the last one to begin and the beginning.
The August issue of Harper’s Bazaar features an article by Alison S. Cohn called “Can Wearing Certain Colors Boost Your Mood?”
The author sites a 2015 study from researchers in Switzerland which concluded that “participants selected brighter, more saturated, and warmer colors for joyful expressions over fearful expressions.”
Well, I can see where that may be true; however, I believe the enjoyment I am experiencing comes from wearing the RIGHT colors for me.
I believe if my right colors were on the cool side that I would feel the same way! It made such a difference when I decided to only wear colors that look best on me.
The outfit I am wearing today is from my old wardrobe and both the top and pant are Eileen Fisher. I have never worn them together until now.
I can remember thinking I would only were my Eileen Fisher pants for work, but I am really enjoying them now for casual chic comfort.
I have this washable stretch crepe slim ankle pant in several colors and kept every one of them with the closet purges this summer.
My boho-style is often expressed in accessories and I am so glad to return to layering necklaces. The Patricia Nash yellow leather goes nicely with a past design from Marla Wynne. The yellow pendant is on sale for $17!!
The Patricia Nash coin necklace will probably be on my Christmas list…hope family pays attention!
FAREWELL SUMMER
So, I join two of my precious grandchildren bidding a fond farewell to summer.
I am excited to go forward as a new me…looking for ways to interpret my new style to fit me…as a Vibrant Autumn.
That doesn’t put me in a box at all…in fact, it as been the most freeing experience… taking me outside of the box I was in. One more heartfelt thank you to Annie Castano…the stylist who guided me through the changes.
So, let’s look forward together to this new season…a season of color and joy! I saw this sign at Hobby Lobby and thought…that is perfect!!
CHICO’S ALSO BIDS A FOND FAREWELL TO SUMMER
Chico’s also is bidding a fond farewell to summer with their Summer Send Off Sale (up to 60% off some garments) and today a Flash Sale: $59 Brigitte Ankles when you purchase a $50 Woven Satin Shirt.
The scarf that goes with this topper is on sale and very tempting at $29…..FLORAL ANIMAL PRINT OBLONG SCARF….
Does anyone else mentally switch their thinking to fall on September 1?? I will be decorating my home this weekend…and can’t wait to get started.
Thank you so much for being here…and always….
KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
Photography assistance from Leigh Ann Cecil.
I’m very much ready for fall, which is our prettiest season here. Lack of the oppressive humidity and cooler days are so welcome. I look forward to fall activities and am so glad college football has returned! It’s also fun to transition the closet and find ways to add fall touches to summer outfits. Love the colors, sights and smells of autumn. As much as I love and look forward to summer, bidding it farewell is something I’m definitely ready for!
Yes to transitioning my closet, home decor, college football, and color!!
Love your new look and love fall too! It is My favorite tine of year with warm days and cooler evenings- such a refreshing fun filled time of year!
The final frame of your colorful articles- clutch, ruana and necklace is wonderful!
I so enjoy your blog! Your new autumn colours are so perfect for you. The Patricia Nash yellow necklace is gorgeous. I also love the scarf from Chico’s. Thanks for this colourful post!
Fall is my favorite season too, even though we only get a few days of it in north Texas. Your new style is so flattering! Doesn’t it feel great to have that clarity on which colors work for you? I had my colors analyzed in the summer of 2014 and it changed so many things for me. As I look toward retirement I am only buying work clothes that will also work after retiring, and I don’t buy or wear anything that isn’t in my color palette. Here’s to looking and feeling our best this fall!
Pam,
I love the two colors you put together for this outfit. Just gorgeous. Have you thought about wearing chetah print shoes with this outfit? I’m wondering how that might pop.
Love your new colors and look — especially your hair!! So pretty.
Now let’s bring on Autumn! I’m crazy about this time of year, and start all things Autumn on Sept. 1st too!
Actually…Yes! I love to wear my cheetah print loafers with a look like this. Great minds think alike…thanks Judy!
Thank you, Paulette!
You are so welcome, Kathy…look for more color to come.
It does feel great…knowing my colors and sticking to them has been liberating. The outfit I am wearing today are former work pieces that I transitioned into my new working life from home. That is a great way to look at it.
I love fall equally as much as summer by the pool. My city is by the Great Lakes, which means a lot of overcast days and a very gray, rainy winter. But during our long, drawn out fall, the sun shines, the sky is turquoise, and we have tree colors that rival that of New England. Cue the leafy, long walks and the woodsmoke! I love sweaters, jackets and layering. One of my favorite little rituals is putting away the straw handbags and getting out fall/winter bags, especially my Brahmin croc tote. So glad, now that I know I’m a deep autumn, that I had bought pecan instead of black!
It all sounds lovely, Linda! My Brahmin bag is a creamy off white. I would love to own one in a vibrant autumn color!!
I love decorating for fall more than Christmas. I am getting my glass pumpkins out today! I added pumpkins pillows to the couch yesterday and bought mums at the garden store, too! Your wardrobes changes have been so flattering and joyful. Your blog is my favorite way to start the day.
Thank you so much, Kathy! I am so glad you are here!!
The picture of your grandchildren is so precious! They do indeed look as if they are watching summer sail away. September 1st is considered to be the beginning of meteorological fall, so I go with that. We are even experiencing a bit of early autumn weather with a low temperature this morning of 56 & lower humidity. I’m sure there will be some hot & humid days to come, but I am enjoying this for now.
It is wonderful to go to your closet & find things you love to wear, instead of gazing & saying “I have nothing to wear.” You radiate joy now.
Pam i love your new look! That Chico’s jacket looks wonderful on you!
Even though I’ve been retired from teaching school for 14 years, I always think of September 1st as the beginning of a new year. I’m still hoping that we have a few more summer days, but the weather here in Alberta this week has felt like fall and I even saw some golden leaves on the ground when I went for a walk this afternoon! Fall is always bittersweet here as we anticipate the long, cold winter and short hours of daylight.
Pam,
I wanted to let you know that I have very much enjoyed watching your “Refresh” this summer! You look much younger and somehow more yourself.
Because of your refresh I started playing with the warm colors also. Years ago I was told I was an autumn but I ignored it (my hair was dyed red at the time I was analyzed and she didn’t exclude my hair color). Now I am enjoying playing with those colors a little bit at a time and realizing that they do indeed compliment my complexion.
Thanks!
Thank you, Leslee! Have fun with it!
To me, the new year really begins after the Labour Day weekend. January 1? Not so much. Going back to school is it. That will never change for me.
I thought it was sad when kids began to go back in midAugust….after Labor Day was ingrained in me. I completely get it!
This summer has included a style refresh for me too, as I transition to empty nesting and get my Second Act together. I was so glad to have found your blog right at the time I needed guidance! Thank you for walking me thru your journey and being vulnerable. I’ve learned so much about being confident in my style personality and best colors. I know what I look good in/feel best in, but had often let others sway me away from that, which only brought confusion and self-doubt—which never look good on anyone! Now I’m working on taking pictures of my clothing combinations to compile in a quick-reference guide to keep in my closet…so I don’t forget all the variations and creative combinations. THANK YOU for all the fun, education and inspiration
Thank you for sharing, Karen! As a blogger, I am constantly taking pictures of my outfits so you will receive help doing that. Let me know if I can help with anything and keep having fun with it!!