Pass The Mustard, Please

Hi to all my Gal Pals,

I just got my second dose of the Covid vaccine and so far so good. I did have a mild, delayed reaction to the first vaccine so I am hoping I won’t have any with the second. With the first vaccine I had some difficulty breathing, achy muscles and felt extremely cold. On a positive note it means that my immune system is not completely shot. Being in the priority group reminds me that I am a “senior” who is best described by Aunty Acid in the quote “I’m at the age where an ‘all nighter’ just means that I didn’t have to get up to pee”. Being a “senior” is a hard pill to swallow but I always try to find the positive aspects of being old. For me, one of the positives was that I got to live through the 60’s as a teenager. At a time of “Peace and Love” I loved the music, fashion and even my high school experience. I know that not everyone liked high school but I loved the social life. Going to sleep overs, football games and dances was just the best! But even better was the music. When a song comes on the car radio from that decade I find myself moving and singing along which probably looks pretty funny to drivers who pass by me in traffic. When I hear songs like “My Girl”, “Good Vibrations”, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Sugar, Sugar” such wonderful memories come flooding into my brain. I remember dancing with my friend Mary Rita as we watched American Bandstand. You are probably wondering what triggered this nostalgia. Well, recently I was out clothes shopping with my sister and I was wonderfully transported back to the 60’s when I saw so many nouveau bohemian styles like flowing maxi dresses, peasant tops and paisley prints. I loved the fashion of the 60’s and I remembered being so happy when I turned 16 so I could go out and get a job to help pay for my own clothes. I am so thankful that those long term memories are still with me. But just when I was feeling good about being a 60’s girl I read the following by humorist Dave Barry “The Sixties are now considered a historical period, just like the Roman Empire”. My bubble has been officially burst!

Speaking of the 60’s do you remember the mustard gold appliances? Well, I am not so sure about that color for appliances but it is a great color on clothes. My favorite color is yellow but little did I know that there are over 50 different shades of yellow. I thought there was bright yellow, pale yellow and mustard yellow. One of my favorite songs of the 60’s was “They Call Me Mellow Yellow” and the subject of the song was a girl named Saffron. At the time I had no idea that saffron was a shade of yellow. I don’t care if the shades are called saffron, marigold or goldenrod, these are all mustard to me. The color is often used in interior design, clothes and fashion. From jackets to shoes and pants, you’ll find many articles of clothing in this shade. Those who wear mustard are seen as bold and individualistic which pretty much describes me. It symbolizes creativity, warmth, optimism and diversity. Mustard yellow is ideal for those that appreciate brighter colors and are looking for something more sophisticated, classy and perhaps respectable. It looks great when combined with various shades of taupe and darker shades of beige, also colors like gray, black and indigo. However, it is also considered a neutral hue when worn with burgundy, turquoise or purple. If you have never worn the color, give it a try. To quote fashion designer, Kenzo Takada “Fashion is like eating, you shouldn’t stick with the same menu”. So today’s blog highlights some of my mustard color clothes.

Typically I try to tie in the focus of my fashion blog with a garden design element but today I am tying it in with spring. Spring officially starts for me in March when my friend Rhonda and I trek down to Woldhuis Farms Sunrise Greenhouse and buy our Senetti plants seen below.

I typically buy my potted flowers while they are still in bud but these are already starting to pop. The shape of the plant reminds me of a chrysanthemum and the flowers will be this mass of daisy like blooms. This beautiful plant has spring flowers that come in vivid blues, magic magentas, ultraviolets and stunning bicolors. They thrive under cool temps down to 35%F but will continue flowering through the warm days of spring and early summer. It is a great plant if you are into spring flowers and want something to add to your pansies and bulbs. This week the Senettis were on sale. If you buy 2 at $5.99 each you got the third for free. I cannot pass up a good sale!

OK, let’s talk about mustard outfits.

This ruana wrap reminds me of the 60s. It is made of flowing material and the sleeves bell out just below the shoulder. The majority of the print is a beautiful brown, mustard and cream paisley print with patches of cheetah and rows of tiny peach flowers. Throughout the wrap is this amazing gold thread that makes this piece a standout. I matched the leggings and the short, capped sleeve swing dress with the taupe in the wrap. These days dresses that hang loose from the shoulder are called swing dresses but I remember a time when they were called tent dresses. I have paired the outfit with a pair of dark taupe shoes.

I decided on this necklace because I wanted to dress up the outfit but if you wanted to dress down the outfit, pair wear the ruana wrap with a pair of taupe or dark brown jeans and tee shirt then wear more casual accessories. The colors in this necklace perfectly match the colors in the wrap. The watch is a dark taupe and the bangles are antique gold. The rings are an amber yellow and cream in color.

You can probably tell by now that I love short swing dresses. There is nothing better to hide that protrusion just below my waist. This is a sleeveless swing dress that has black trim around the neckline and arm holes. I put a black, short sleeved shirt and a pair of black leggings underneath. Pair it with black flats or a low wedge heel and you are good to go.

I love chunky jewelry and this necklace looks perfect with this outfit. It is so unique and adds that little bit of “wow” when paired with such a simple outfit. What I like the most about this necklace and matching earrings are the different metallic colors. I have paired it with a brass bangle bracelet and a black watch with gold trim. I went simple on the ring because the necklace is the statement piece.

This spring sweater is very slimming. Because the diagonal seam goes up the front it pulls your eye away from my mid-section. The dolman sleeves make my arms look slim and the cowl neckline also pulls the eye upward away from the paunchy belly. I paired it with a dark brown pair of pants and dark brown shoes.

I don’t always remember where I buy my jewelry but when it is as unique as this necklace and earrings, I remember. I bought this necklace at a little boutique in Saugatuck, Michigan. It is made entirely of nut shells and beads and goes so beautifully with my sweater. I paired it with a dark brown bracelet with gold trim and gold rings with a gold watch.

Well, that is it for now. I have neither gained or lost any weight. I think I must be bored because, as Aunty Acid says, “I am not like other girls. I know what I want for dinner. I’ve been thinking about it since I finished lunch”. Hopefully life will get back to normal and I can work off a few pounds through summer activities. Who am I kidding! I love lunching with my friends several times a week and now that I’ve gotten both doses of the vaccine I can start meeting up with them again.

Oh well, until next month,

Remember God loves you and so do I.