On Simplicity

Part of a conversation with a soon-to-be 11 year old:

“I have $800!”

“Wow! Save that money!”

“Well, I don’t get it until I’m 18, but I want it now!”

“Yeah?”

“I need, um… makeup! I need lots of makeup! And clothes, and shoes…”

Of course she does. Sigh. This is a pretty normal response from a tween, but I can’t help feeling that we can do better. Keeping in mind that lectures rarely work and well-meaning advice usually produces an opposite response, what are some strategies for teaching the tweens in our lives the value of simplicity?

1. Be a happy example. If you’re happy and you don’t have expensive sneakers or a designer purse, you’re modeling a healthy alternative to consumerism. Of course, some kids will write you off as clueless. Still, a few others will recognize that you’ve decided to be happy without Stuff. It probably won’t change their behavior, but it will give them an alternative to consider as they grow and mature.
2. Don’t buy into the hype. Try to compliment tweens on their sense of humor, their easygoing nature, the way they treat their friends and family, or anything that’s not related to appearance or material goods. Don’t compliment their new phone or sunglasses even if they’re pretty much begging for it; it just feeds their conception that Stuff impresses people.
3. Have real conversations. You don’t have to dumb yourself down around kids. So why not talk about your savings goals or the hassles of having too much Stuff? Having a logical discussion about simplicity that’s focused on your needs (not on your desire to get rid of their stuff or change their minds) can open their eyes a bit. It’s a slow burn method, but I wouldn’t underestimate the results.
4. Let them be who they are right now. Try not to judge tweens for being greedy, materialistic, label groupies. In their world, material items are signals that they use to craft an identity. To behave otherwise in a drastic way can potentially place them in “freak” territory. In other words, focus on building a foundation for the future, and let the message take as long as it needs to sink in.
5. Encourage identity building outside of designer labels. Focus on talents and interests instead of “image.” Let tweens know that who they are as a person impresses you far more than what they have. When you discuss celebrities, the same rules apply. Don’t comment on the clothes or looks, comment on their contributions.
6. Provide or suggest alternatives that are actually cool. The choice doesn’t need to be between Ed Hardy gear and Goodwill threads. There’s a middle ground of style that can include handmade garments, reconstructed tees, vintage items, and underground trends.
7. Steer clear of comparisons. Telling a tween that they should be grateful they have more Stuff than starving kids in Africa takes you two steps backward. First, they don’t care. They’re not competing with starving children; they’re competing with the cheerleader with the Swarovski-encrusted phone. Second, that argument just confirms that Stuff is important and your level of happiness depends on how much of it you have in comparison to others.

I do have a disclaimer: I don’t have a tween, I just work with them. I’m certainly not trying to tell anyone how to parent.

So what works for you? And what would have worked (or completely backfired) when you were younger? Hop into the comments and let me know your thoughts!

photo credit: erin MC hammer

photo credit: elyziumfields

Tim Gunn of Project Runway is the ultimate icon of simple sophistication. This is a man who insists that a solid wardrobe consists of just 10 pieces. In that spirit of refreshing minimalism, here are a few lessons we can take from Tim Gunn: the man, the host, the guru.

“A couture post-office uniform is not going to work.”

Or, put differently, no one on a farm cares about your Benz. In short, fashion needs to be functional. Style should help you live your life, simply in a more colorful way. It should never impede you from doing the things you love to do. Whether you need room to stretch and breathe, comfort to run and jump, or the freedom to roll around the grass or jump off a swing, your clothes should make your day more fun. In all areas of your life, style should be a value-added component and never a distraction or excuse.

“Looking good takes hard work and commitment.”

Things that look effortless are often far from it. When you see a person who appears to have it all together, keep in mind that they’ve likely worked very hard to get to that point. Whether your goal is to look fabulous or accomplish amazing things, Tim Gunn has just given you the two secrets of success: hard work and commitment. Hard work will get you 90 percent of the way, but commitment is what ensures that you stay on track during the hard times (ie, stirrup leggings and pegged pants).

“Underwear is the foundation of fashion.”

I love this quote, because it acknowledges the importance of what lies beneath the surface. Taken in a larger context, your habits are your underwear–they support you and determine the outcome of many of your actions. Consider the art of personal finance: you can master fancy techniques and have incredible vision, but if you don’t spend less than you earn (that’s your financial underwear) your portfolio, or wardrobe, won’t amount to much.

“Having quiet time alone is just so repairing. That’s why my environment is so important to me.”

Quiet time is when you become truly you. When all external stimuli are gone, what thoughts are you left with? What dreams do you conceive? If you want to dream bigger and deeper, creating a conducive environment is an important step. I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely vital, but I think Gunn is onto something here in that our environments do affect our lives. It makes sense to design them to reflect the places you want to go and the person you want to be (or already are).

“There are thousands of designers who would love to be in your place. What’s the matter with you?”

This is Tim’s response to those who complain about the Project Runway work load. I think it’s a wonderful mini meditation on gratitude. No matter who you are, there’s a pretty big likelihood that there’s someone who would love to be in your place. Perhaps you’re doing well for yourself financially. Maybe you’ve got one person in your life who loves you completely and totally. Perhaps you’ve got an education and an analytical mind. If you don’t appreciate the gifts you do have, there are plenty of others who would ask you, “What’s the matter with you?”

Finally, “Make it work.”

Make it work is a mantra you can truly live by. When Tim Gunn tells people to make it work, he’s encouraging them to work with what they’ve got. It’s a call to accept who you are and where you are, and make it as fabulous as possible. Forget what you don’t have. What can you do right now to make things better? In the end, it’s often a recommendation to take something away–in other words, to simplify down to basics. Now that’s a catchphrase I can get behind!

Do you have a favorite Gunn-ism? I’d love to hear, so please head into the comments and let your opinion be heard!

photo credit: independentman

Elizabeth Taylor can be called many things, but simple is not one of them. However, in her book My Love Affair with Jewelry, La Liz lays down some profound insight on the philosophy of simplicity.

I don’t believe I own any of the pieces [of jewelry]. I believe that I am their custodian, here to enjoy them, to give them the best treatment in the world, to watch over their safety, and to love them.

While most of us aren’t dealing with tennis-ball sized diamonds, her idea of custodianship is powerful. Let’s unpack this a bit. According to this idea, the value of an object (outside of investments and assets) isn’t in the ownership. The value of an object lies in your enjoyment, use, and appreciation of it.

You don’t have to own an item to enjoy it and get full use out of it. In fact, ownership itself is a big, fat goose egg—a nothing, in essence. Don’t pin your hopes for happiness on owning any item, since the real pleasure comes from use and appreciation.

Of course, the idea isn’t to borrow or rent everything in your life. The idea, in my understanding, is not to value an item simply because we own it. An item is precious for what it is, and the best we can hope for is add one more layer of meaning to it in our custodial tenure.

The Full Circle of Fabulousness

This philosophy is fabulously full circle. If we embrace the idea of custodianship, we begin to search for items with a past. This may mean hitting thrift stores, antique stores, yard sales, and your mother’s junk jewelry drawer. We appreciate the history of the item, but we don’t let it hold us back.

Then, we bring our own history to it. This means that instead of leaving that special item in a drawer, you can pull it out and use it, wear it, or admire it. Add happy memories to it and give it a place in today’s world.

Finally, when it’s time to move on or pass on, find a new custodian of the item who will treasure it as you did. Consider it recycling, regifting, rediscovering… Call it by whatever name you want, the end result is a more meaningful experience than mere ownership can provide.

photo credit: -Merce-

Benefits of the Elizabeth Taylor Philosophy of Beautiful Things

1. It’s more eco-friendly. If we choose objects with their lifetimes in mind instead of ours, we can make choices that are more lasting and less wasteful. Choosing items that have a history or that can be passed on discourages disposable consumerism.

2. We have a reason to care for our objects more carefully. Can you imagine Ms. Taylor being nonchalant with the centuries-old Taj Mahal diamond? If we feel that we are simply the custodians of items, then we have an obligation to take care of them to the best of our abilities. They aren’t ours, they belong to the world and to history. By taking care of them, we get more enjoyment out of them, and they’re ready to provide the same enjoyment to the next generation.

3. We build a sense of history and community. Imagine how much more connected we might feel if more of the everyday items we touched had a colorful past. It’s the difference between wearing your great-grandfather’s wedding cufflinks and the ones from the department store counter. They just feel better.

It’s not applicable to everything, but I find this idea very intriguing. Do you think the former Helena Cassadine has a point? Is it still just materialism? Dive into the comments and let me know what your take is.

photo credit: zombiefactory

Ahh, the simple life. That’s all about farming and sewing muu-muus and eating porridge, right? Well, not so much. Just because you value simplicity, that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the finer (and fun) things in life. I’m a big believer in indulging your whims every now and then, since they’re what give simple life flavor and fun. Read on for seven simple ways to add glamour to your life.

1. Give yourself the red carpet treatment. Sometimes you simply need to pencil in the glamour. There are tons of options for rituals that make your life feel rich: bubble baths, cocktail hour, high tea, and so on. By ritualizing these experiences, you get a chance to feel spoiled everyday, in a way that’s fun for you and fits your budget. It’s a good way to stay satisfied. After all, it’s difficult to feel deprived when you’ve got a treat coming your way each day.
2. Invest in the best. Living simply doesn’t mean burlap rucksacks for everyone. It means having just what you need, some that you want, and not much more. By investing in quality items, from the staple clothes you wear to the items in your home, you’ll need to upgrade and replace less often. I’ll be honest; it’s a very fine line to walk and “expensive” doesn’t always equal “quality.” But there is a case to be made for having one incredible pair of shoes that lasts for two decades (with resoling) instead of poorly constructed ones that need to be replaced every six months.
3. Pretend you’re in your own music video. Strut your stuff and put on your best “It’s so hard being gorgeous” pout, even if you’re the only one around. (Actually, especially if you’re the only one around.) It’s a silly approach, but it’s effective and it encourages you take life a little less seriously. I like to pretend I’m in my own personal Whitesnake video, especially on windy days.
4. Forge your own social successes. So you’re not part of the A-list. Make your own! Invite your favorite friends over for a potluck soiree. Have them invite their most interesting friends. Repeat. Before you know it, you’ll be in the center of an exciting social scene.
5. Change your perspective. You don’t have to embrace the fashion magazine standard of glamour. Maybe for you, a crisp white shirt and classic blue jeans are the most elegant options. Forget the ritzy penthouse if vintage farmhouses float your boat. Glamour can be on your own terms.
6. Don’t follow the trends, set them. If you follow trends, you’ll always be behind the curve. Amp up your glamour vibe by coming up with your own trends. Whether it’s in fashion, lifestyle, reading material, or anything that makes you feel creative, be a leader instead of a follower.
7. Seek out ways to make the everyday extraordinary. This can mean hanging a vintage chandelier above your hand-me-down table, finding excuses to kiss in the rain, or just putting on high heels to hit the mailbox. If you’re feeling like your days have become a little beige, you don’t have to revamp your life, just add some color.

I don’t particularly recommend trying all of these. Pick out a couple that sound like “you” and give them a whirl. The point is that you don’t have to give up on life’s luxuries and little decadences just because you’re choosing a simpler life. You just need to pick the things that make your life better and more truly satisfying and focus on them. When you’ve got your own luxuries that you’ve consciously chosen, even the best marketing campaigns won’t be able to convince you that you need anything else.

“What Not to Wear,” a TLC show dedicated to saving fashion victims from themselves, is a modern miracle. For a show that’s all about spending money, it rests on a philosophical base that’s not very far off from what simplicity groupies believe.

Wait for It, Wait for It…

The shows highlights one new (usually) woman each week who is nominated by her loved ones for her horrific wardrobe. Then our hosts, Stacy and Clinton, ambush the victim on camera and offer a $5,000 New York shopping spree in exchange for giving themselves up, “mind, body, and wardrobe.” The victim is then subjected to a range of torture methods, most of which end in being mocked by family, friends, and our genial hosts. Sounds awful, right?

Here’s the amazing thing. Each week, you see a person go from being insecure and image-conscious to confident and excited about life in a period of about three days. How do they do it? What Not to Wear does the same thing I would do: they force people to get rid of the crap in their lives.

Lessons in Simplicity from What Not to Wear

I’m not going to pretend that What Not to Wear is some kind quasi-Zen guide to life. It’s not. But the show’s intention is more admirable than you might think. Their ultimate goal each week is to make a woman’s life better by teaching her to be comfortable with herself. While designer clothes might not be the most ideal tool to do this, it works. Here’s what you can take from the show and apply to your own life:

Your personality does not rest in your clothes. There’s a part in the show where Stacy and Clinton go through the woman’s wardrobe and throw out the items that don’t flatter her. Usually, this leaves 98 percent of items in the trash can. The women freak out, cry, swear, and pick fights over the disputed items (including polyester ponchos and glitter boots). The most common battle cry is, “These clothes are who I am!” and, “But this piece shows off my fun/unique/quirky personality!” Their appeals fall on deaf ears and the offensive items are given away. And you know what? The women still manage to retain their personalities! It’s a miracle! Because the hosts know something these women don’t: personality has nothing to do with what you wear. Your personality lies in the way you carry yourself, live your life, and interact with others. The clothes are nothing but a crutch–a crutch that actually prevents a lot of people from noticing these women’s true personalities because they’re too distracted by exposed bellies and/or psychedelic colors.

To make room in your life for something new, you have to get rid of something old. The only way these women are able to move forward is because they’ve cleaned out the old remnants of their lives and dreams. Not only is there not physical space for two wardrobes, there’s not room in your mind. Trying to balance two versions of your dreams, your friends, and yourself is a recipe for disaster. Letting go of the old visions you have, along with most of the physical reminders (from old movie tickets to beat-up sweatshirts) gives you room to create new ideas and habits. You don’t have to let go of the memories or the lessons learned, just the life-stopping, deadening weight of the past.

Feeling good about yourself benefits everyone. Most women chosen for the show seem like genuinely good people. They have friends who adore them, bosses who value their work, and families that love them. They give all their energy to make these people happy, and leave very little for themselves. In fact, they seem to think that any attention or money they spend on themselves is wrong. But once these women are forced to treat themselves and let people take care of them, it’s fascinating to watch them blossom. When they’re reunited with their friends and family, the comments go something like this: “She’s just glowing,” “I love seeing her this happy,” and, “She’s so much more confident and in control.” The people who love you don’t want you to sacrifice everything for them. They want you to be happy and excited about life. Treating yourself now and then and taking time for yourself doesn’t have to be selfish. Sometimes it’s the best way to make sure your loved ones get to spend time with the best “you” possible.

It’s not what you buy that makes you happy, it’s what you let go of. As adorable as the women of What Not to Wear look in their new outfits, I don’t think it’s the clothes that really make them happy. My theory is that it’s the freedom they feel that makes them seem so light and carefree. They’ve been relieved of the burden of being who they think they have to be, something that was reinforced every day when they put on clothes that symbolized years of bad habits and low self-image. The feeling is almost tangible; they’ve realized that no matter how old they are or where they are in life, they have endless possibilities in front of them. If you want to feel better, you probably don’t need a $5,000 Visa debit card. You may just need to let go of the “stuff” that’s holding you back.

As new airline baggage fees are added every few weeks, packing light isn’t just a lifestyle choice, it’s a survival skill. Lightening up has extra benefits, though. The very first time you pack light, prepare for a special kind of high. As you fly through the airport, unburdened by massive bags, you’ll wonder how you ever traveled any other way. As Antoine de Saint Exupéry put it, “He who would travel happily must travel light.” Whether you’re a veteran one-bag champ or an overpacker ready for conversion, it’s time to learn how to pack light no matter where you’re traveling.

The Five Commandments of Packing Light

1. You need less than you think.
   
2. Anything that doesn’t fit can be purchased later or lived without.
3. The amount of luggage you’re carrying is inversely proportional to your level of travel enjoyment.
4. Your bulkiest items should be worn on your travel date.
5. Your carry-on should be small enough to fit under the seat.
   
   

The Ugly Truths of Packing Light

Okay, so you’re convinced. Now how do you actually go about cramming everything you need into just one bag? First, you’ve got embrace a few key traveling truths. First, most overpackers don’t use everything they pack. All those “just in case” items? Well, the “case” rarely ever comes up. Second, you may not get to wear everything you normally would, and that’s totally okay. By sticking with “travel weight” items, you maximize space while keeping your options open. Third, you need the right suitcase or travel bag for your needs. You’re not traveling light if you have just one bag, but the entire contents of your closet fit into it. Finally, unlike a lot of things in life, packing a suitcase really is a zero-sum game. Every time you add something in, you take away room for another item. That means each item you load in needs to have a specific purpose.

One Bag Magic: Fourteen Tips to Live By

1. Limit yourself to three pairs of shoes, at least one being flats. I recommend wearing sneakers and packing a pair of dress shoes (if needed) and sandals or flip-flops. Place shoes in a plastic bag to keep them separate from your clothes.
2. Pack separates instead of “outfits.” This way, you can pack fewer items (plan on wearing some pieces twice) and have more versatility.
3. Pick one jacket or coat and stick with it. I usually pack a black jacket that looks trendy with jeans and but nice with dress outfits as well.
4. Photocopy any information you need instead of packing entire books.
5. Keep toiletries in your suitcase (if checking) so you can zip through security with your carry-on. (I know this isn’t the standard recommendation, and I certainly wouldn’t do it on American because of the standard fee, but I love checking my suitcase for domestic, non-stop flights. It makes everything between the check-in counter and the carousel a breeze.)
6. Don’t skimp on underwear, no matter what any guide tells you. It takes up very little room, so there’s no reason not to have all you need, plus some extra.
7. Stock up on sample size toiletries; they fit the TSA guidelines and take up less space. The most frugal option is to snag hotel room shampoos and soaps and simply refill the containers as needed, but you can also find cool travel size items at stores like Target. (I love the cotton swabs that are filled with eye makeup remover!)
8. Choose travel clothes that can comfortably be worn more than once. Most notably, dark colors wear better than light colors and wrinkle-free fabrics are ideal.
9. It’s okay to buy some items at your destination. Items like sunscreen, “just in case” weather gear, and extra books are great to leave at home. You could even take Tim Ferriss’s 10-pound packing approach and allocate a specific portion of your travel budget to “buy needed items once they’re 100% needed” and not a second before.
10. Use small items like underwear and socks to fill nooks and crannies (like between shoes).
11. For women, packing a few pieces of costume jewelry is a good use of space. These pieces perk up your separates, giving you more style for far less space than additional clothes. Plus, if they get lost, you don’t have to worry about it.
12. Unless you know you’ll be attending a formal event, skip the evening clothes. They’re often a “what if” waste of space. Besides, being casually dressed is pretty widely accepted anymore.
13. You don’t have to fill every space in your suitcase. You might even consider buying a smaller suitcase to head travel clutter off at the pass.
14. Finally, live by the Chanel rule: When you’re ready to head out, remove one thing.

If you’re interested in an expert traveler’s advice on what specifics to pack, head over to OneBag.com and be sure to check the Annotated Packing List. It’s an incredible resource, even if you don’t follow the guidelines 100 percent.

Know Your Enemy: Troubleshoot These Bulky Items

Even if you’re a suitcase superhero, be on the lookout for carry-on kryptonite. Some of these can be worked with, others should simply be avoided if possible.

• Sweaters: They’re bulky and take up tons of space. Avoid thick wool and cotton sweaters in favor of lighter weight merino wool and cashmere.
• Jeans: Again, they’re bulky and take up tons of valuable real estate. Plan on wearing each pair at least twice or pack lighter pants.
• Sneakers: Want to see 25 percent of your available space disappear? Pack a pair of sneakers. If you’ve gotta have ‘em, just wear them. Or, go for sneakers with a thinner profile, like Converse All Stars and Vans.
• Hoodies and Sweatshirts: If you can wear a bulky sweatshirt on travel days, that helps to keep your suitcase light. If not, stick with zippered hoodies that can be worn with different shirts underneath; this gives you more options with fewer pieces.

Travel at the Speed of Light

So, as you cruise through the airport for your next trip, take a minute and enjoy the freedom. Unlike all the folks with two suitcases and a massively overloaded carry-on, you’re actually having fun! I’ll end with a perfect quote from John Flinn’s SF Chronicle article, “Carrying off the art of one carry-on“:

“It’s a chance to pare down and simplify our lives, to discover what is truly essential and what is not. It’s a reminder that we’re more than the sum of our possessions… It’s always a revelation to discover how much of our impedimenta we don’t really need.”

photo credit: richard winchell

In reading other blogs, I come across quite a few items that make me question whether I’m truly a simplifier or not. After all, Xin Lu at Wise Bread, in a great post on living in small spaces, is willing to forgo a sectional for a beanbag. I, on the other hand, am not willing to ditch my sofa for a beanbag at this point. Am I just providing lip service to the idea of simplicity? After all, if you’ve read a few posts here, you know that I love clothing, I live in a big house, will probably never get rid of my television (dude, no MXC?), and so on… Does this mean I’m just faking it?

What Simplicity Means to Me

When it comes down to it, I don’t think I’m just faking it. This isn’t just a cosmetic choice for me. In my own life, simplicity isn’t a race to the bottom to see who can live with less. It’s about making conscious choices, being thoughtful in what I bring into my home and into the world, and focusing on relationships and experiences instead of stuff.

How do I accomplish this? What do I focus on? Here are my top priorities:

Not buying crap. I do a pretty damn good job of not buying things “just because.” Things I buy aren’t just bargains, they’re things that either promote health, bring me or someone else joy, or are really going to be useful.

Keeping media to a minimum. I don’t eschew television, but I also don’t watch that much of it. I stay away from sensationalistic news and gossip. For wimpy news, I stick to headlines instead of reading fluffy article after article after article.

Keeping my personal spaces clean and minimalist. I can breathe in a clean home. I can create. I can dream. I’d prefer an empty room in a beautiful color than a fully furnished room full of useless accessories. It still comes down to pure aesthetics, but it’s also about feeling like things have purpose.

Time commitments and lifestyle. I try to keep my time as my own to give myself freedom and peace of mind. With a job that’s essentially a community service, I can feel good keeping a good portion of my time off to myself to spend with family and friends.

Is Champagne Ever Simple?

I’ll agree–I’m not the traditional voluntary simplicist. While I do have a persistent and weird desire to be a survivalist, I always picture celebrating the first successful potato crop with a champagne toast. (I know.) However, simplicity isn’t just about cutting stuff out of your life. It’s about stripping life down to the bare essentials, throwing out all assumptions, and rebuilding the world around you to fit the dream you have, not the one you’re told to want or raised to believe in. After all, life should be rich. It just doesn’t have to be rich in money, or stuff, or accolades.

Big, Fat Faker

The verdict? I am a faker. A big one. Because in my eyes, simplicity is about having as much as possible. As much time as possible. As much love as possible. As much joy as possible. As much fun as possible. As much honesty as possible. As much thoughtfulness as possible. As much freedom as possible. I don’t want just a little, just enough to get by. No, I want a ton! Perhaps I should look into the availability of “onabundance”….

As those who know me are aware, I’m a wannabe fashionista and always have been.  I mean, I’m the child who was copying Oscar de la Renta fashions for her paper dolls at three years old.  In fifth grade, I was convinced that lime green, red, and leopard were neutrals. However, being a simplifier as well, my fashion urges tend to get squashed, simply because I can’t stand to be fussy. Still, I love to stand out and this is my way of dressing in a way that’s fun for me while keeping the daily question of “what to wear” easy and straightforward.

Everyone’s got their own take on style, this is just one strategy: the solid color strategy.  It’s pretty much exactly what it sounds like: just about everything in my closet is a solid color.  Shirts, tops, blouses, pants, and jackets–they’re almost all in my favorite solid colors.  Why?

Because I can grab just about any two items, throw them together, and look cool.  I don’t fuss about finding a shirt to match the color of the flowers in a particular skirt, because that involves a significant time investment and commitment to doing laundry on a regular basis.  (I may do laundry, but I refuse to commit to it. )  And usually, I can look bright and energetic and stylish, just by mixing contrasting solids. Brown pants and red shirt: awesome.  Lime top with coral cartigan: awesome.  Orange skirt and maroon top? Surprisingly cool.

This doesn’t mean I don’t wear prints, because I do.  Nearly all of my dresses are bold graphic prints, as are a few of my skirts.  But once I realized that my closet was full of solid pieces (not on purpose, I just tend to buy what I like and it happened to play out that way), I knew why I was having fewer problems picking outfits than in the past.

For me, the trick to keeping it interested lies in bold color matches and fun accessories.  Choose pieces that you wouldn’t automatically pair, like different bright colors.  Also, this works way better if you layer tops and have mostly neutral bottoms.  When I do wear non-neutral bottoms, they’re usually still pretty subdued shades, like brown, maroon, navy, light yellow and rust.  As for accessories, go for the gusto.  Necklaces with large colored pendants, chunky turquoise, multicolored beads on metalllic chains, and oversized metallic chains are my favorites.  Look for pieces in your favorite colors (mine are lime, coral, blue, brown, an aqua) so that they’ll go with a range of pieces. Metallic shoes are also a great way to add punch to your non-print outfits.

Have fun mixing and matching–you’ll never have to work hard to stand out again.