Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Three's My Limit


Every religion I can think of (without doing much more research than one of my style-blog posts deserves) puts some serious significance on three.

It's the the biggest number I can automatically count in multiples beyond 12 without pausing to think.

It's absolutely my glass-of-wine limit before falling asleep.

It's often associated with magic in fairy tales (three bears, three little pigs, three wishes ... I'm sure there are more.)

It's the number of lines it takes to make a triangle, which is really an important part of geometry and you really need triangles when you draw pointy things ... dunce caps, stars, vampire fangs.

It's the number of points used in triangulation (duh!) ... which is, in navigation, the location of an unknown point by the formulation of a triangle having the unknown point and two known points as the vertices. (I have, in fact, done this.  Once.  With help. )

It's the absolute maximum number of scoops one can practically pile on an ice-cream cone and still manage to eat most of it. I know this from experience.

And three is the maximum number of prints that I have managed to mix successfully. I'm sure that more are possible. But any more makes putting an outfit together too much like work, and more work than I want to do getting dressed for ANY occasion.



Navy and white stripe knit blazer plus
Navy and white polka-dot peplum top plus
Navy and white abstract print scarf = Taaaa Daaaa!

( And how about that little yellow leather belt ? Yes? )


What's your print mixing magic number?

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Linking up with the EVER POPULAR PATTI at  Visible Monday !

Please stop a minute and say hello ... it really makes my day.


43 comments:

  1. Ha.ha.. lovely post.. I will not dare wearing more then 2 prints.. my eye get dizzy.. Love Sara

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    1. So glad to hear from you, as always. Two is my usual ... three gets crazy. Had fun with this one, though!

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  2. Magical three! (I can only do two glasses of wine now, I'm old : > ) Great outfit and I love the yellow belt, I just bought one too. Thanks for linking up.

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    1. I've worn that yellow belt out! Not quite, but I wear it a lot, almost too much. It has to last, though, I've got plans for it this summer!
      J

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  3. I love love love miss matching. And you did a great job here AND the yellow just pops with this outfit. I'll have to dig out an old photo of the most I miss matched but I do remember it included leopard! Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

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    1. I think about print mixing a lot more quickly, these days. Interesting trend, and it's caused me to dig deeper into my closet, looking for combos. And that has to be a good thing.

      No leopard yet, to speak of. Rest assured, should I ever begin wearing it, it will be on it's way into cultural storage. I'm always behind!

      Thanks for your kind words, and for stopping by!

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  4. Hey, I don't know, I'm not that good at math. You mean wearing stripes and polka dots is print mixing? Oh my, you are a wild one Jan. It looks good on you, especially with that spot o' yellow.

    Where's your Style Imitating Art post? You looked great in your ensemble all mist-ified.

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    1. Yikes, Pao. I looked at my SIA submission and my freaking goofy smile ... What was I thinking!!!!! I do love that flowey blouse because of the kimono sleeves.

      Enjoy your chuckle, Pao ... I really thought I was getting crazy there for a minute with all the mixing! I really do like the combos, though. Thanks for the kind words all around.
      I pledge to do better. You win some, and sometimes the bear bites you.

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  5. and please turn off the catcha element.

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    1. Can't, at least for a little while. I need to cut off the Indonesian spammers. 20 or 30 a day!!! They'll get bored and go away, then I'll take it off ASARP. Know it's a pain. Sorry.

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  6. Hey Jan,
    There is a quote here in my country: "alle guten Dinge sind drei!" means all good things come in threes! Your outfit is a further proof for it. It looks fantastic.

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    1. Thanks so much, Sabine! I've been meaning to mention to you, how much I appreciate the courtesy you practice with your bi-ligual post. So many people here speak no other languages at all, and I find that disheartening. I can find my way to the hotel, train station, nearest restroom in 3 or 4 languages, but not much more. Really appreciated your efforts and your comments.
      Have a great week.

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  7. Oooh, now I have to think about my print mixing max. You've done very well with your three...yes, three is probably magic for me too. I think three colours is good for me too, but colour may be in a future post.

    Sue xo

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    1. You're one of my major mixing inspirations! Don't get to check in with you as often as I'd like ... know I read everything you write (that I see, anyway!)
      Have a great week, Sue.

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  8. Hi Jan-you really have worked 3 mixed patterns so stylishly and the yellow belt really adds a lovely dimension to your outfit, looking great!! Thanks for the lovely comment too! xx

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by. You really do have a unique style, and I intend no euphemism when I say that. Your pieces are not run of the mill. You choices seem very specifically your individual choice, not just what you found in the shops that might work.
      Looking forward to seeing what you come up with in Spring!
      I'm glad you liked my post. We aim to amuse!

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  9. Cool post, babe!! And the outfit is great too, I think 3 is the maximum number for mixing prints not just ice cream scoops.:)
    P.S.: 3 is my favorite number since forever too!!

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    1. Really nice of you to say! Mixing is getting to be an obsession ... trying to get it right! There's a strong element of fun in it; getting away with something I'm not supposed to be doing!
      Thanks so much for stopping by.

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  10. Three has always been my magic number. ;) You also couldn't have a triquetra or trilogies without the number three either.

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    1. Or a triskele ... hadn't thought of that though it's one of my favorite symbols. There are so many elements that contribute to meaning in how we clothe ourselves, aren't there? Not so shallow as some may think.
      Lovely of you to stop by.

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  11. I think a mix of three is just about perfect, and here we have the Holy Trinity - spots, stripes and a print! Lovely, Jan!
    I wish I could stop at 3 glasses of wine... xxxxx

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    1. So glad you liked it! (Nearly went blind making the drawing!)
      I never have a problem stopping after three ... I've passed out ... no, uh ... I've fallen asleep. Dainty old me.
      Glad you stopped by, Curtise. Happy to see you.

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  12. I've been trying (unsuccessfully) for a couple of weeks now to write a post about pattern mixing - I would say my limit is two but I like how you tied in a third here by using a scarf and the way you linked all three with a white and navy theme. Clever! I may just quote you...

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    1. f there's anything you can use amid my silliness, feel free. Will look forward to your post on it. My Huz, Dan, is a help ... he has a good eye and often drags out a scarf or a jewel or a jacket. It's the nicest surprise, always.
      Thanks for stopping by. You're always an inspiration.

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  13. This ROCKS. Seriously. I love what you did for this photo. the polka dots make it sing. You GO girl

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    1. Ah thanks! But I bow before the master ... uh, mistress ... no, Pro from Dover of Print Mixing! Seriously, this is some fun wearing patterns that would have given my mother a heart attack! It's great when it just "works."
      Glad you liked my drawing, too. More fun!

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  14. What a great post - entertaining, and a good guide to follow when it comes to pattern mixing! I think stripes work well with most things - it's the second and third patterns that I get frightened of. But your outfit looks great!

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    1. We aim to amuse! Glad you liked it. I have loved the Breton stripe trend so much ... very Jean Seberg, c. late 60's. Not sure I'll ever try Three again, at least with pattern. Can see multiples in color blocking, though!

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  15. I'm off to the shops to find a pattern, or two, to mix with my newly acquired red and white polka-dot skirt. Thanks for the inspiration. Wish me luck.

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    1. Sounds like some serious styling going on in your neck of the woods! Looking forward to the results!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  16. That's pretty perfect pattern mixing. (Notice the three "p's", do I get bonus points?) The little yellow belt adds the perfect amount of somethin' somethin'.

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    1. Yup. You get the Awesome Alliteration Award for the day! Okay, you can keep it for the week.
      Am so far behind that I'll never catch up. Half my restaurant staff is dumping on us on St. Paddy's, so will spend the whole weekend on my feet and lose a day off. Cuss, cuss, cuss.
      Still I have an unusual blog planned for Monday or Tues at VisMon ... really want to get it done!

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  17. Hi I saw your comment to my comment (ha!) and this has me wondering, why was I lead to that particular post? I think I saw a comment you left on my blog, clicked on your picture and it led me to that particular post. That's my guess, and I could be wrong. But I saw in your other comments to other visitors that they were led to that post too. Hmmm...As for THIS post, I love the pattern mixing and the addition of the yellow belt is perfection! XO, Jill

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    1. Thanks, Jill! I think I have an idea why this is happening now, with thanks owed to your help. Not sure how to fix it, though. But half the battle is better none ...no, that's not right. I'll figure this all out!
      Thanks for checking back,
      Jan

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  18. I love print mixing, it always look super fun and interesting! The most important for me is not over do it-not fun to look like a clown:)
    http://dcinstyle.com/

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    1. I'm happy to see you branching out for a monday-meet kind of thing. I swear I will manage to jump in, but probably won't make it for a week or so ... our busiest holiday is St Pat's at our restaurant, and staff is being difficult.
      Congrats, kiddo.
      J

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  19. I love your mix!!! Superb. I just started this pattern mixing thing so I don't yet know the limits :-)

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    1. I'm not sure I want to do a whole lot of this ... little people don't carry off a lot of patterns at one time particularly well, I'm guessing. An interesting direction I saw in the fall '13 shows was toward the same print in different colors and sizes in the same outfit. The continuity is built right in!
      Thanks, and looking forward to what you do next!

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  20. Mixing prints is a new love and this rocks, belt and all.

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    1. Glad you like what I did with it. I'm not sure how much I'll be doing, but I'll be watching for hot tips from everyone else!
      Welcome, and will be watching your posts in return.

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  21. I've never challenged myself to mix more than a couple prints together, but now I feel very inspired to do so. And you managed for your prints to be all blue and white! It looks great, especially with the little yellow belt.

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    1. Thank you, Willow. Your blog is so beautifully done, and you did such a lovely job with your Tea Party post. Will look forward to seeing what you come up with in future. Carry on, young lady!

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