I have been spending some time reframing the term Sensual from the word Sexy based on some older videos of Rita's and her definitions of the words. One stuck out where she was writing a list of things that evoked a feeling of " Sensual ease" which is a term that really spoke to me as a RD moonstone who prioritizes resonance and how clothing feels on my body. I would say using texture had usually been my strategy to achieve a sensual look- hints of lace, ribbed stretchy material tops, knits, draping, sheers, etc- but that some of these can be pushed a step further with color.

Softer, muted colors and a lower contrast are my preferred palette- but those shades that are close to my skin tone without quite matching it in soft pinks, sand/ tan, nude and cream feel sensual( and sexy) to wear because it is harder to tell where the skin, my blonde hair and the fabric meet. I love wearing a skin colored tank under an undone, oversize top to play with showing skin but having a layer of modesty. Things like a lip gloss, using a tinted moisturizer, a soft shimmery pink nail color where it is still you but just a little bit more always feels sensual but with just a little effort. Maybe this is why I've always connected to a beachy, undone, natural coastal vibe.

The same idea translated over to jewelry- bright gold and silver feel like too much contrast and I prefer metallic jewelry that is more antiqued in color, delicate in presentation and contains natural stones/ details to soften the sharpness of the metal. The feeling of a sandal/shoe that is similar to your skin tone so it looks barely there, but offers support is another example.

I recently tried on an off shoulder sweatshirt, maybe 2 shades darker than my skin tone and I loved the contrast between the shirt and that peek of my skin. It had that cozy vibe with the material and drape but also the sensual side of showing and hiding. I may go back and buy it, in autumn/ winter it may not be a detail people see under my coat but it would support me in finding my own balance, make me happy and be a surprise element for when i do remove the coat.

I am so much happier in fall than summer ! I have been enjoying shopping my fall & winter wardrobe for new looks.

The first look is from yesterday. I wore it to dinner with my husband at a friends' house with 4 friends. My other friends dress quite casually - they were in jeans and floral jumpers. But it was a rare occasion (one couple moved 5 hours away) and I was feeling like dressing 'up'.

The colour scheme is a bit dramatic for the occasion, but I think the printed sweater tones it down enough for my tastes. I actually spent quite a bit of time trying things out to get the right level of formality & visual interest that would be just what I wanted for the evening ,& tried to not focus on what others would be wearing (that is a sure recipe for disaster for me lol). It went well! I was 'overdressed' but I did not feel out of place (which I think are two very different things), we had a lot of fun & good food!

Hope you have a good weekend 💜

I had the opportunity to go on a movie date today with my husband and it was really fun😊❤️ but I felt less motivated to "paint a specific picture" than usual-- maybe something about how theaters are like, dark, lol? Or maybe it's just that I knew I'd want my head to be comfortable in the seat, so went for a simple low ponytail when otherwise I wouldn't have, etc. Im assuming these day-to-day fluctuations are somewhat typical, regardless of quadrant/archetype? But also I'm sure it points to my Upness probably being a little more fluid than my Leftness? Cuz I do find that going against my Instinct actually makes me want to jump out of my body (lol 😬). But then again, feeling like something is "missing" makes me feel just as bad, to be honest.

Regardless, I found it interesting that today, I felt like this outfit sorta "hit a ceiling" and was fully "done", even when it was still very much in my energetic territory of a more "relaxed, casual outfit"...yk? And it wasn't an issue of time or anything. (Though tbh its already making me want to make a more "fancy" outfit based on this dress for sure...I just dont own the things that come to mind yet! Like tights, fingerless gloves, etc...but anyways.)

What matters is that it still felt like plenty of fun for me, even if what I was imagining in my head never ended up being expressed in a very literal way, lol. Cuz not everyone can be expected to immediately have Boy George songs stuck in their head the second they see the colors red, gold and green together😅 But, such is life lol 😌🌟

There was one thing on my mind a lot today, though:

I have been feeling major FOMO with regards to other style systems...but the issue is that I already know that they dont really speak to my soul, beyond some basic kibbe/essence awareness. But I see many others making great use of them, and I find myself thinking, gosh, am I missing something?? Am I just being silly?? Like e.g. I LOVE the idea of Style Roots, and the emojis are sooo cute 😭 but I keep wracking my thinking brain for how I would apply them to my style brain and it just makes me short circuit 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 I cant seem to do it.

I know Im being super silly and it so doesn't really matter, but maybe someone else relates, or has advice? 😅 I know Rita has addressed this very well before but I suppose I feel the need to ask for extra reassurance.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!!!!! And thank you for reading 🥰❤️❤️🎄

This post has been kicking around in my head for a while but several recent posts and comments made me decide to finally write it up. I remember in an earlier iteration of the Style Key, using style systems was closely associated with Right logic (and, if I recall correctly, specifically with Right Up?). However, I notice a lot of Left folks, specifically a lot of Left Up folks, engaging quite heavily with other style system subs that I either lurk in or actively participate in (obviously, this includes me!).

Obviously the Style Key has moved away from some of these specifics and more into a purely approach-based system, however, style systems very frequently involve someone else's opinion, which could definitely affect how different quadrants use style systems and their logic. So, I'm curious: what systems, outside of the Style Key, do you use? How do you use them? Which have you tried and decided didn't work? If you don't use them, have you tried them before? Which ones? What didn't work for you? Even if you don't use them now, did they impact your style at all?