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Colour does affect you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually:

What does the Colour Green say?

The color green is the colour of balance, harmony and growth. It is the colour of the heart chakra.

This is the colour of balance and harmony. From a color psychology perspective, it is the great balancer of the heart and the emotions, creating equilibrium between the head and the heart.

From a meaning of colours perspective, green is also the color of growth, the colour of spring, of renewal and rebirth. It renews and restores depleted energy. It is the sanctuary away from the stresses of modern living, restoring us back to a sense of well being. This is why there is so much of this relaxing color on the earth, and why we need to keep it that way.

Green is an emotionally positive colour, giving us the ability to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally. A natural peacemaker, it must avoid the tendency to become a martyr.

It loves to observe, and therefore relates to the counselor, the good listener, the social worker. It loves to contribute to society. It is the charity worker, the good parent and the helpful neighbour.

Being a combination of yellow and blue, green encompasses the mental clarity and optimism of yellow with the emotional calm and insight of blue, inspiring hope and a generosity of spirit not available from other colors.

This is a colour that has a strong sense of right or wrong, inviting good judgment. It sees both sides of the equation, weighs them up, and then usually takes the moral stand in making appropriate decisions. On the negative side, it can be judgmental and over-cautious.

Green promotes a love of nature, and a love of family, friends, pets and the home. It is the colour of the garden lover, the home lover and the good host.

It is generous and loves to share, but it also looks for recognition. It is friendly and can keep confidences.

This color relates to stability and endurance, giving us persistence and the strength to cope with adversity.

Green is the colour of prosperity and abundance, of finance and material wealth. It relates to the business world, to real estate and property. Prosperity gives a feeling of safety to green.

On the negative, the color green can be possessive and materialistic, with a need to own people and things

If your favourite color is green, it will reflect in your personality!

Email me to get your personality colour green insights. Let me know which type of green (cool or warm e.g. teal, emerald, grass, olive, lim, jade, mint) it is important though as you can be a combination of two colours. For example my favourite colour is lime green (hence my brand colour!) and that is a combination  of yellow and blue, more yellow than blue though, so I can relate to both those colours in the way I see myself.

chryssie@uniquestyle.co.nz 

 

Give your clothes some space !  

Did you know that most of you are only wearing 20% of your wardrobe?

 

And probably too many clothes in your wardrobe, and many that you have forgotten you have.

  

 LOCKDOWN is such a great time to do audit your wardrobe.

 

Enjoy your time – put some music on, pour a glass of wine or cup of tea, take your shoes off and focus on having some ‘you’ time.

 

This is your process:

 

1. As you lift out each garment ask yourself:

 

Do I still love this?

Have I worn this within the last year?

Do I enjoy wearing this?

Do I look fantastic in it?

Does it hold some sentimental connection for me?

 

If the answer to these questions is no, then it may be time to say goodby to them!

 

2. Each garment is then put into a pile:

        

         Right pile – fits the 4 principles of dressing.

        

So-So – not so good but will stay until it is replaced.

 

Wrong – doesn’t fit, wrong colour, out of fashion, don’t like it anymore, or does not fit with 3-4 of the 4 principles of dressing.

 

3. Sort the wrong pile into bags that can go to clothing bins or Salvation Army  or City Mission. If it is suitable for work then pop it into Maxwell Dry Cleaners who collect for Dress for Success. Or if you know it is still current a Recycled Shop will do a 50/50 split with you when it is sold. You can then repurpose the money to buy something new.

 

4. Have fun with ‘Right’ and ‘So-So’ pile by creating new combinations that you may not have though of before. As you do this, identify gaps in your wardrobe plan and add these to your shopping list.

 

5. Decise on an appropriate colour scheme for your new garments. For example you might decide that you need a pair of shoes – what is it going to be – a basic colour like black or navy or is a colour going to add some pizzaz. I always find a outer garment like a jacket or knit will make lots of new combinations with older ones.

 

In the past year one of my best buys has been a pair of white sneakers with animals print and gold features – immediately updates a pair of jeans or summer skirt.

 

6. Decide on when you will buy these.  Summer or Winter. Look for in SALES.

 

7. Do some homework.  Look online for inspiration, check out new stores that you haven’t shopped in.

 

8. Shop on your own – unless you want some help from ME!  I literally have found when auditing wardrobes for people the ‘out’ pile on the floor is garments chosen when people get coerced by a friend to buy, when your gut feeling is saying NO!

 

9. Enjoy the process and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.  I believe by giving your clothing some space you allow new and exciting opportunities to arrive. You will be amazed at how light you feel by  letting go of the emotion attached to clothes.

 

Inspired by change you will feel more open to creating something new for yourself, whether it be the way you wear your clothes or giving you a new idea to implement. Feeling good about yourself!

 

  

Can the colour you wear really affect your mood?

 

Intuitively you will choose the colours that represent your feelings, individuality and personality. Sometimes you can choose a colour to create a mood or communicate a desired image or response from others.

Black – powerful, in control of your emotion, authority and discipline.  If used too much you can create a barrier between you and others. Wear colour with black to balance.

Grey – netural, reliable, conservative, traditional. Less authoritarian than black or navy. Suitable when negotiating a contract or dispute. Grey does not make an impact in creative arenas unless the cut is non-traditional.  Add colour to balance.

Navy/indigo – Logical, hardworking, organisational, efficiency, trust, clarity of mind. Wear colour to balance with communicative colours. Use classic traditional styles in good quality to promote success and confidence.

Brown – traditional, reliable, hardworking, warm hearted, non-threatening, approachable, stable, practical. Do not wear to for presentation or where you need to be seen! The warmer browns like terracotta and bronze are more dynamic.

Burgundy – respectful, dignified, self-assured, think deeply before coming to a solution/decision. Not a good presentation colour as it presents lack of sensitivity.

White – open minded and receptive to new ideas and possibilities but do not want to be pressured into making immediate decisions or changes. Direct approach brings clarity to situations.

Purple – inspirational, sensitive, intuitive, spiritual, good listener, compassionate, interested in the best of everything, elegant. A good alternative to black for women and shirts and ties for men.

Violet – calm, peaceful, guided by your inner feelings and intuition. Modest and open-minded. Helpful to others.

Blue – serene, calm, faith, trustworthy, friendly, loyal, responsible, reassuring, dependable, flexible, reliable. Good communicator, honest and diplomatic.

Turquoise – sympathetic and sensitive to others, their opinions and ideas. Spontaneous, imaginative, optimistic, creative.

Green – generous, sincere, trustworthy, harmony, follow your heart, renewel. Apple green – motivated, adventurous, self-motivated, changeable. Blue green – idealistic, faithful, sentimental, inventive.

Yellow – joy, adaptable, openness to new ideas, quick decisions, good communication skills, high self-confidence and self-esteem, articulate, cheerful, optimistic, happy, stimulating.   Suitable for professional dress in small quantities or in creative arenas.

Orange/tangerine – confident, spontaneous, humour, warm hearted, creative, organiser, independent, sociable, likes to have fun, high energy.

Pink/peach/apricot – approachable, social, sentimental, affectionate, nurture others, non-confrontational, forgiving. Use with deeper/neutral colours to balance for professional image.

Red – ambition, passionate, enthusiastic, confident, energetic, dynamic, wants to make the best of everything, takes risks, a leader.



Winter 2020 - after lockdown and in level 2 - well done New Zealand !!

I must say it is so nice to be back to wearing dressy clothes, browsing in shops and having coffee with friends (if they in your bubble).

I did find being at home and wearing jeans and a top abit tedious and looked forward to once again putting a dress or smart pants and jacket on; wearing makeup and having my hair done. It is a amazing how that makes you feel.  Have you found the same??

Grant and I did enjoy our time together and we managed to find plenty to do around the property. Many DIY projects and gardening was ticked off the list. Lots of walking did have its advantageous as I happily took off 5 kilo.  I can now fit into my trousers much easier. Whoop Whoop!!!

My Unique Painting Style

I have been painting on and off for a few years now and decided that this year was going to be my year of actually becoming an artist. So lockdown gave me time! Time to focus on creating my own style in painting. I signed up for an online intutitive painting course which helped me go through a process of letting go of what I thought I ought to paint like, to letting my intuition lead the way and allow each thought develop into a creative action, which I then put on canvas. I did find that I had a icky stage with lots of doubt; which we where told would happen After a few weeks I broke through my resistance and the result was amazing. I now have lots more confidence and feel my painting style is emerging.

I had a realization yesterday that this is what I have been advocating for YOU when working with my concepts of creating your unique style. Dressing for who you are rather than following what others do, what magazines and fashion dictates. Utilize what is available to you but do it your way, what reflects you as a person and what your innate being feels drawn to. The sense of peace with yourself.

Change of Season

The weather has been absolutley amazing for the past weeks but now with it turning colder it has turned my attention to my wardrobe…..

I like to take the going out seasons clothing and put the hanging items in another wardrobe and fold tops etc in a box. Bring out the current season which has been stored and ask myself “Do I still love you”. If I say yes then they get hung up, otherwise they go to the Recycle shop.Its like finding your long lost friends!

 This Seasons Trends:

Give your yourself a boost by adding a new garment/accessory to your wardrobe by choosing one of the following:

 Bright Pops of Colour

These pops of color brighten everyone’s day and elevate your wardrobe instantly. Rather than go for traditional shades, try your hand at something bright, such as yellow, sienna, terracotta for warm tones and fushia, blue or red for cool. Find the hue that best suits your skin tone and rock it in its entirety. Add accessories like a bold clutch bag and a pair of funky heels.

Brown Leather Coats

Let the freezing weather reign while you rock a brown PU coat. This faux leather outerwear is a classic and understated option for the colder months but remains on-trend this season. Style it with a pair of slimline trousers or a mini skirt. You can even tie the waist in and create a dress.

Natural Tones All Over

It’s one of the longest-lasting trends for the past few seasons, and it isn’t going anywhere soon. These monochromatic and neutral outfits are easy to replicate but can be a little boring so had a pop of colour with a scarf, jewellery or bright lipstick.

Wide Leg Trousers Tucked into Boots

Mixing and matching new styles is a great way to discover something new, and that’s what this latest trend does. Tucking your straight leg trousers into boots puts a funky spin on the classic outfit, and adds a subtle punk twist to your ensemble.

 

Blue Styled with Neutral Tones

As one of the most prominent color combinations of the season, neutral tones with a blue twist is a popular choice. It combines some of the hottest hues of the last few months and puts a magical spin on it.

Yellow Maxi Coats

Brighten up even the coldest days in one of these sunny maxis. Yellow is a bold and vibrant shade and is sure to turn a few heads. Flatter the hue with varying tones, or rock it with a white turtleneck and brown boots. This seasons yellow is very warm and best suited to spring and autumn lovelies.

Tiger Prints 

Every season, there’s a new animal print to covet – this season, we’re going crazy for tiger pattern. This funky and fresh print is a great way to liven up a monochrome outfit without going overboard. The combination of black and warm brown will match the fall temperature perfectly. Add a pair of blue jeans into the mix, and don’t be afraid to play with patterned accessories or shoes. Have a little fun with this trend; it’s an easy way to freshen up your look.

Color Handheld Bags

Opt for a bright pop of color amongst the rest of your ensemble – try orange amongst browns and neutrals, yellow amongst blue or burgundy with white. Hold this accessory under your arm for maximum impact – it’s a comfy and stylish choice for everyone

Chain Necklaces Worn with Hoop Earrings

Jewellery is having a reassurgence so dust off your chains and classical pieces and wear them together. This season, why not add a chic chain necklace with a pair of stunning hoops? These classic jewelry options are timeless in design and work with every type of outfit. Opt for gold or silver for a traditional feel, or inject a little color into your outfit with a statement piece. 

  

Doing a wardrobe audit during the holidays I found myself pondering the wastage of clothing.  Here are some facts......

Every year, more than 80 billion articles of clothing are produced and sold around the world. That means that every year, billions of used articles of clothing are thrown away to make room for the new ones. This is an unfortunate waste of valuable resources.  Here's 8 facts that will help you understand why.

 

1) It takes 700 gallons of water to make a cotton shirt. It takes a lot of water to produce the cotton needed to make clothes. To put these numbers in perspective, the amount of water needed to make a t-shirt is enough for one person to stay hydrated for 900 days while the amount of water needed to make a pair of jeans is equivalent to hosing down your lawn for 9 hours straight.

 

2) We throw out thousands of kilos of textile waste per year in NZ alone. While it may seem harmless to throw out tattered clothes, these fabrics are likely to then end up in landfills, where they pile up to produce toxic greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere. As a leading cause of global warming, these gases are very dangerous for our environment and hazardous for our health.

 

3) Clothes can take up to 40 years to decompose. Once we throw out our clothes, we accept the fact that we’ll never see them again. However, just because our discarded clothes are no longer in our lives, it doesn’t mean they’ve disappeared. While some materials take longer to decompose than others, all have harmful effects for the environment. In addition to releasing gases like methane, most fabrics are made with dyes and chemicals that can contaminate the soil and water in the ground.

 

4) Shoes can take up to 1,000 years to break down. Thought clothes took a long time to decompose? Shoes take even longer! Commonly made with a material called ethylene vinyl, the midsoles of shoes can take a really long time to break down. Rather than adding more waste to landfills, try donating or selling your shoes! 

 

5) 95% of textiles can be recycled. Every year, we continue to throw away our old textiles, even though almost all of them can be recycled! This means that there is an alternative to landfill waste. In 2013, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimated that 2.3 million tons of textiles were recycled, thus avoiding disposal. They claimed the environmental impact of this number was the same as taking 1.2 million cars off the road. Whether you choose to donate your old things to charity, or up-cycle them into something new for yourself, imagine the environmental difference we could make if everyone made the choice to recycle their clothes!

 

6) Textiles can be repurposed into a number of things, including sports fields, pillow stuffing, and paper money. When you recycle your clothing, it’s possible they might go straight to a new owner without any alteration. It’s also possible, however, that they might be repurposed into a plethora of everyday items. Whether the textile fibers are turned into carpet padding, baseball filling or jewelry box lining, you never know where your recycled clothes might end up!

 

 7) When you donate clothing to charities, it’s not uncommon for the clothing to be sold overseas.  Fortunately, a lot of people donate clothes every day. However, it’s a common misconception that all of these donated clothes are distributed domestically. The reality is there are just too many unwanted clothes for that! That’s why many clothing collection organizations, Planet Aid included, sell clothing abroad. And at Planet Aid, we use the proceeds to fund sustainable development programs all over the world! 

 

8) 70% of the world wears secondhand clothing. So next time you want to go shopping, try checking out a secondhand thrift store! Not only does this help contribute to a more circular textile industry, but it also saves you money. Also, next time you donate your clothes, feel good about the fact that your old clothes are likely to end up making someone else very happy!