Featured Boutique: Living In Yellow

Living in Yellow Grand Opening Door Sign

Last week I travelled to Ft Wayne, Indiana to spend a week with my brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Susan. We spent the weekend in Michigan at their cabin. It was pretty chilly and rainy, making it the perfect weather to avoid the lake and attend the grand opening of Erin Schrader's "living in yellow" boutique.

I had never heard of Erin but, my sister-in-law was a big fan and when I went to Erin's Instagram page, I saw that she had more than a casual following. We drove from the cabin deep into Amish country. We passed beautiful country homes with sturdy barns and horses grazing in fields while clothes hung out to dry on front porches. We arrived in Middlebury, Indiana and stopped at the town's central stop light. Across from us was a horse and buggy that, like us, was waiting for the light to turn. We began looking down streets for the yellow and white balloons Susan had seen in a photo on Instagram. Sure enough, there they were!

113 E Warren St. Middlebury, IN 46650

Walking in the front door of the boutique we could sense the excitement and hear the chatter of fun conversations. This was the second day of the opening and the buzz was still strong.

Summer Styles and Great Price Point

There was a patriotic themed table at the front of the store and I was drawn to a red dress and a pleated sun top. I wondered would they be fairly priced? This ruffled necked red tiered midi dress was priced at $79.00 and this tomato colored pleated cami was priced at $44.00. I was immediately excited! Good pricing and fun styles; I began to shop.

Here's Erin in a pink pleated cami and a staff member modelling the red tiered dress. If you follow Erin on Instagram, you will see Erin show-casing many items from her store and how to pair them plus she shares blogs on style, life and travel. She shares her favorite curling iron from Nordstrom and her favorite lotion from Target and everything in-between. Her tips and secrets are practical and fun.

Adorable Tiered Midi Dress

Erin in Pink Pleated Cami Top

Walking through the store it was fun to take in the accessories and gifting displays . Shoes and candles, earrings and necklaces, stationary and slippers; There was a wide variety of unique and fun options.

Accessories and Gifting Items

I shuffled through each rack of clothing on the main floor and then made my way upstairs to the loft where two long walls had racks of clothing hanging along them. This section was called "Erin's Closet". This area sold items that were from Erin's personal closet. I found a black faux leather extra long bomber jacket with fleece lining. I had not brought enough warm clothing with me for this trip and when I put it on I knew I needed it, not to mention it was cool and priced at only $40.00.

Gonna be FUN to wear this "Rock & Roll" Shirt Jacket

I'm loving this top for Summer

I bought a white tie front button up shirt that I've already worn with my cropped denim and red Blow Fish sneakers; super cute for Summer. The last and third item I brought home with me was a black shirt jacket with white letters on the back saying "Rock and Roll". The musician in me had to have it! What a fun shopping experience!

Follow Erin on Instagram and Facebook

I realize that many (most) of you are not going to travel to Middlebury, Indiana to Erin's store. But, you can find out more about Erin on Instagram, Facebook and shop from afar at https://tapto.shop/livinginyellow

If you do find yourself in Middlebury, tell Erin I said "Hi" and check out her sister's home decorating store

"JOYFULLY SAID" just a block over at 402 E. Warren St.

Amish Country

Kathy Banta at Living In Yellow Boutique

Shopping is what I do and I'd love to shop with You!

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta

Summer Trends 2023

By Twin Cities Stylist Kathy Banta

Summer 2023 definitely has "a look". Some of the trends we're seeing are easy to incorporate into our wardrobes and you may already have similar items in your closet that you can pull out and use again. Some, are interesting and seem like they cycled back quickly from the last time we saw them. Honestly, I don't think there's any new ideas but, there are new ways to pair them. Let's see if any of these are exciting to you?

1. The Summer Suit Vest - I was in love with suit vests in the 1980s. I wore them over cropped sleeved tees and I will again this Summer. But, you will see them worn as a sleeveless top option with wide legged pants or cropped denim. I'll wear mine with cut off jean shorts and sneakers, too.

Anthropologie

2. Pendant Heart Necklaces - This is nothing new but, if you look, you'll see them EVERY-WHERE! This is a great gift for the season, too.

Nordstrom Evereve Anthropologie

3. Sheer Sleeves - In the last couple years mothers across the Midwest were frustrated by the crop top and bra-like Summer tops. The prayers for more modest trends were lifted but, you better keep praying. This Summer you'll see sheer tops to be worn over those bra-like tops.

For another fun way to wear them wear your sheer top under your suit vest.

MARCELLA Anthropologie TOPSHOP

4. Metallic - You'll see it in pants, dresses and all over in accessories. Metallic clothing trends, although they are HOT, will be short lived and lack versatility. But, a metallic purse or sandals will have a longer trend life and be classics for years to come.

Anthropoligie Zara

5. Maxi Skirts - Didn't we just get all our maxi skirts out of our closets?! Yep! They're back. This time they are here with ruffles, and layers in a prairie meets hobo vibe. Maxi skirts do not work for everyone. Just because it's in style doesn't mean it's good for all. So, be honest with yourself.

Nordstrom Anthropoligie Evereve

6. Denim Maxi Skirts - This is one of the HOTTEST Summer trends. But again, it's not for all. (It's not for me.) This look is so cool on a few and frumpy on many, giving the appearance of twenty extra pounds. Personally, I can't get past the commune vibe. But, you tall slim gals can wear these and get away with a lot more than the rest of us.

Free People Anthropologie Zara

Summer Colors - Green and Cobalt and bold deep Pink are still the trend. Here's the Pantone Summer Pallette.

7. White On White - wearing white on white on white mixing textures is a Summer trend. Another is a classic black Summer weight dress.

This past Winter seemed to last extra long but, Spring is here and Summer is right around the corner. Enjoy the season change and have fun with these Summer trends.

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta

Organizing Dresser Drawers

Early in January I had rotator cuff surgery and for two and a half weeks I spent a lot of time trying to find a good position to sit in that decreased the discomfort in my arm. I got bored and needed to find mental distractions but, I couldn't do big projects or long projects because my body was aching. So, I started cleaning up and organizing my dresser drawers one-at-a-time.

I'm embarrassed to say my dresser had gotten to a messy state. I think this is pretty normal. When we are working at a steady pace, we don't always have time to tidy up on our way out the door.

First, I started with my jewelry drawer. Yes, I have one dresser drawer for my jewelry. I have other jewelry boxes but, they are full of heirlooms and impractical items that are special to me that I don't wear. This drawer holds my costume jewelry, nothing pricey just fun. I tend to wear classic style clothing that stand strong as trends come and go but, I do indulge in jewelry trends and have a fun collection of color. I'm going to say this over and over but, if we can't see what we have in our wardrobes (dressers), we won't remember that its there and we won't use it.

Looking at this drawer, you wouldn't know that my favorite earrings are housed here. I have gotten messy and disorganized and I need to bring it back to order. How could I ever see my options with this drawer looking like this?

I began to organize by taking everything out of the drawer and creating piles for items I no longer wanted. I had a number of glasses that I didn't wear yet, they were the right prescription for me. I realized I was guilting myself into keeping them. I went through and put the ones I always avoided into a donation box. I separated the earrings into groupings by color and tossed several that were tarnished and tired looking. When I was done this drawer was useful again and brings me joy to open.

Second, I straightened my sock drawer. My sock drawer wasn't in that bad of shape. A couple years ago while doing closet organizing for a client, I had come across these sock organizers at The Container Store.

That is a dangerous store! There are so many useful tools for organization there. Every time I go, I come out with something that makes life easier. (I love their Recycling tubs!)

Anyways, I got this grid for my socks and it has made seeing my sock options so much easier. If I can see my options, I use my options. Plus, it keeps me from over buying socks. This drawer is full; I don't need more socks.

Just a slight shift around of socks and my drawer is pleasant to open again.

Third, I have a drawer that holds my camies and tank tops. I use them more in the Summer under silk blouses so, I haven't opened this drawer as of late. But, when I did open it I was disappointed in myself for leaving it in disarray.

Separating the camies and tanks in sections by color: navy, cream, gray, nude, reds and black, I folded them in the Marie Kondo way. It looks so much more pleasing! Note: My favorite camisoles/tanks are by Ann Taylor and Cuddl Duds.

Fourth, The underwear drawer! Do you have favorite underwear? I think it's kind of funny but, I do. I use drawer dividers in my underwear drawer; a row for shape wear, a row for everyday wear and a row for uncomfortable impractical pretty wear. There are seasons when I'm in suits and business attire that I pull from my shape wear more often and then, there are weeks when I'm living in jeans or shorts and I'm pulling from the comfortable everyday wear. No matter what your wear for underwear, it's the same rule over and over. If you can see it, you'll wear it, but if you can't; you won't.

When you go through your underwear, sock and cami drawers make sure to look everything over, tossing those that may be fraying or the elastic is giving out. There is nothing worse than wearing underwear that has lost its elasticity!

There's no need to wait for Spring to do a cleaning sweep through your dresser. And if you don't have time to tackle your whole dresser in one sweep, tackle one drawer at a time.

Things to ask yourself: Do I wear this? Is it still in style? Is it in wearable condition? If the answer is "no" to any of these it's time to toss the item or donate it.

Happy Organizing!

Twin Cities Wardrobe Consultant Kathy Banta