When Emerald Meets Greenery

Photo By: Franz Swantko
Makeup By: Elizabeth Jones

Have you ever asked someone where they would like to go on vacation and they responded with a destination that literally included Greener Pastures?  

Photo By: Franz Swantko

There is a reason for that.  The color of Greenery is associated with our natural surroundings. Greenery makes us feel refreshed and regenerated with plants and trees all around us.

Photo By: Joanna Joy

According to the Pantone Color Institute, "Greenery" is the color of the year for 2017.

I could show you what it looks like, but I will let you imagine the color with these descriptions (or you could just Google it Pantone Greenery 15-0343):

Similar to the color of a green apple.

Much like the inside of an avocado. 

Think Matcha Green Tea:)

Photo By: Franz Swantko

Photo By: Joanna Joy

 Greenery is identified with feelings of growth, revitalization, and a sense of renewal. 

Photo By: Joanna Joy

The color Greenery also represents ideas related to: good health, nutritious vegetables, refreshing clean air, and overall rejuvenation. 

Harvest Salad @ Linden Public in Downtown Long Beach
Photo By: Joanna Joy

Salud Juice in Long Beach
Photo By: Joanna Joy

Emerald (Pantone Color of the Year in 2013) is slightly different than Greenery (this year's color of the year) as you can see here in these photos.  

Vintage Emerald and Peridot Crystal Necklace
Photo By: Joanna Joy

So, what is the difference?

Photo By: Franz Swantko
Makeup By: Elizabeth Jones

Emerald is described as a color of vitality, harmony, balance, and luxury.  When Emerald meets Greenery, you can see how they compliment each other. They are two unique shades of the same color spectrum.  Both beautiful, yet slightly different.  

Photo By: Franz Swantko
Makeup By: Elizabeth Jones

Today, I am wearing a Vintage Pantone Color from 2013 and this vintage crystal necklace actually incorporates both shades of green into it.  

Photo By: Franz Swatko
Makeup By: Elizabeth Jones

I always get asked, "Where are you going to wear that?"

I've worn this dress out to a nice dinner and a wine bar with a long coat thrown over it in the winter.  If you wore this dress, where would you wear it to?

Photo By: Franz Swantko
Makeup By: Elizabeth Jones

If you could use these two colors to describe yourself...Which Unique Shade of Green would you be, Emerald or Greenery?

One last thought, Greenery is also the color of New Beginnings, which is a perfect way to start off the new year in 2017. 

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Here are some questions to ask yourself to start off the new year...

What new things will you begin?

How will you grow?

Where will you travel to rejuvenate?

When will you start?

Why not now?  And if not now, then when?

I'd love to hear your responses in the comments below.

Eshakti Style

* This is a sponsored post and I received this blouse to review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

Photography: Franz Swantko

Makeup: Elizabeth Jones

Blouse: Eshakti

Bag: Zac Posen

Boots: Zara

Trousers: Ann Taylor

Blazer: Vintage

* This is a sponsored post and I received this blouse to review.  

Hello!  How are you doing?  It was raining on the day that we took these photos, so I had to hold an umbrella in most of these shots.  Hope you don't mind.  

Today, I wanted to talk about the brand Eshakti.  This company recently contacted me to write a review of one of their items, so I chose this beautiful black blouse with royal blue contrasting outlines.  As you can see, this blouse has beautiful details and is very well made.  This shirt took some time to arrive, but I was pleasantly surprised.  It even came with a matching black tank top to wear underneath. 

 What I enjoyed most about my shopping experience from Eshakti is that I was able to customize it.  Not only did they have my size, but I was also able to choose the sleeve length.  They gave me options to make this blouse into a short sleeve, long sleeve, a shorter length above the elbow, or three-quarter length below the elbow.  Nice!

They also do a great job of giving you choices for customization in regards to:

• Length of dresses
• Type of sleeves
• Desired Necklines

To see how it works click Here

 They even offer clothing from size 0-36W or you can customize to your size.

Other things to Love About Eshakti:

They offer a downloadable Mobile App with 10% off of orders placed through the app.
They offer free return shipping to all orders in the US.

You can see all of their New Arrivals Here and Valentine's Day Outfits Here

This is my second time ordering from Eshakti and I would highly recommend them.

Hope you have a Wonderful Week!

Lessons from The Intern

Have you ever seen the movie The Intern?  If you haven't already seen it, I would definitely recommend it.  I watched this movie a few months ago and loved it.  There were a few themes woven throughout this story that I thought we could apply in our own lives.  

Here are a few lessons we can learn from The Intern...

1. Creating a Work/Life Balance

This can be tricky, especially when you're under the pressure of trying to "Do It All".  Whether you're a Super Mom/Dad, a Super Single Mom/Dad, or are a Super Single Person and are striving for Excellence in Every Aspect of Your Life, finding that balance at home and at work can create a happier you.

• Make Time for Exercise- Making time for exercise before work, after work, or taking a walk with our loved ones after dinner is essential. A 20-minute walk to get out of our minds and into our bodies is better than doing nothing.  
• Tech Free Meal Time- We had a life before cell phones, well some of us did.  There is absolutely no need for us to be on the phone constantly texting or in front of a screen watching video after video.  Also, our response to that latest email can wait a minute while we decompress a little with our loved ones talking face to face over dinner.
• Pre-Plan Meals- Starting out a crock pot meal in the morning will save us time when we get home from a long day at work.  There are also companies like Sun Basket or Blue Apron where we can order organic meals that are responsibly sourced.  Some meal delivery services cater to a vegetarian, gluten-free, and paleo diets that can be conveniently delivered directly to our homes.  
• Delegating/ Outsourcing- If we are the boss lady or man, we may want to delegate duties or outsource a service.  Delegating specific tasks to members of our team can grant us extra time to work on more important projects and also give our employees more opportunities to grow and shine.

2. Befriending the Most Senior Professional in Your Company-  When a well-seasoned professional speaks, we know it.  It's in their professional demeanor, acumen, and in the way they dress.  In this movie, he might have come in as a Senior Intern, but he walked in as a very Wise Seasoned Professional.  Have you ever heard of this phrase?  Birds of  a Feather, Flock Together?  When we are new at a company, we don't know everything, but Senior Members do.  It's good to get to know them, let them mentor us and most importantly, Listen. They've been there longer than we have and they know what it takes to be successful in that company's culture.  Making sure we stay humble and ask questions is important to remember.  After all, their wisdom can help build our strength.

3. Never Underestimate Someone Else's Abilities or Talk Down to Your Team When You Become "The Boss Lady or Boss Man"
Understanding each person's strengths can be the biggest asset to any organization.  Taking an inventory of each person's abilities is key.  They may even do certain things better than you can.  So, if you hire them, let them do what they do best.  Also, showing respect to your team by not talking down to them will make Everyone Feel Like Someone.

Photography: Franz Swantko

Makeup: Elizabeth Jones

Hair: Drybar

Dress: Zara

 Heels: Brian Atwood

Envelope Clutch: Sorelli

Scarf: Simply Vera Vera Wang

Sunnies: Tom Ford

Jacket: Armani Exchange

Satchel: Ralph Lauren

A & F Inspired Holiday Decor

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Awesome Red and Gold Sequin Christmas Tree Decoration
Photo By: Joanna Joy

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Photography: Franz Swantko

Makeup: Elizabeth Jones

Gazebo Styled By: Joanna Joy

Jacket: Abercrombie and Fitch

Pants: J Brand

Boots: Uggs

Hello!  How is your weekend going?  

This is my Part 2 Holiday in Review Post.  Today, I wanted to show you the inspiration for the decor in our gazebo.  One of my favorite jackets to wear in the winter is this A and F jacket with a furry hood.  I bought this jacket years ago and can't seem to part with it.  This jacket is so comfortable and warm and is perfect to stay cozy inside of the gazebo.

My inspiration for the inside of this gazebo came from the inside lining of this A and F jacket (featured in the hood above).  I wanted to make it look and feel like the inside of and A and F jacket :)  

What do you think?  Are you feeling it?

This is one of my casual cold weather looks.  I've been wearing my cozy Uggs constantly this winter because it has been cold and raining so much in California.  Uggs are a winter essential in my opinion.  Rain rarely happens, but I am so glad to see it because we are in a severe drought and we definitely need it.  How do you feel about wearing skinny pants? Corduroy skinny pants are some of my favorite pants to wear when it's cold because I like the fact that they easily be tucked into knee high boots.  These pants are from J Brand and I really like the fit.

This was one of our last photos of the night, so we had a little toast to end the evening.  

Cheers to another creative year of blogging and self-expression!

Throwback Thursday-Christmas Holiday 2016 In Review

Photo By: Joanna Joy

Photography: Franz Swantko

Gazebo Styled By: Joanna Joy
Art By: Marcus Chavez

Makeup: Elizabeth Jones

Dress: Vintage 

Necklace: Vintage

Shoes: Guess

Handbag: Moschino

Hello!  How are you doing?  Sorry to get this up so late, but I had taken a little hiatus from the blog during the holidays because I was having fun decorating the gazebo with some of my favorite little elves and celebrating of course (see sip of champagne in a fancy glass above) :)  It took days to set up this gazebo for our Christmas Party.  It was lots of work, but completely worth it.  

What did you do to get ready for the holidays?

Last year, I wore this dress for a Christmas party because I really like emerald green and I really like velvet.  This is my go to Christmas dress.  Last year I wore it with a gold sparkly belt and red blazer, and this year I decided to style it with an emerald and gold crystal vintage necklace.  Burgundy velvet was a nice change to accent this green outfit instead of wearing Christmas Red as well.  I Love these burgundy velvet stiletto heels by Guess. They are old, but I still love wearing them out during the winter season every chance I get.

What did you do to celebrate the holidays in 2016?