Chapter 1: A Gloomy Day

Today in northwestern Pennsylvania, the weather is quite dreary. Although temperatures are rising into the 60s, the sky is completely overcast and it’s raining steadily. With no sun in sight, I opted for something comfortable yet cheerful.

In my closet, I found these unique pants that I thrifted ages ago. They seem to resemble karate pants that have been tie-dyed. Although I’ve had them for a while, I’ve never actually worn them. It's curious how we hold onto items that we love but don’t incorporate into our daily wardrobes.

Despite their quirky style, these pants bring me joy and add a fun twist to my day. To keep it simple, I paired them with a thrifted sweatshirt from Old Navy in a color I adore. I’ve probably worn this sweatshirt countless times! Overall, I believe this outfit strikes the right balance for a long work-from-home day.

However, I do have some reservations about the sweatshirt's color. While it fits into my tranquil palette, I feel it accentuates the texture of my skin more than other shades. On the plus side, the hue seems to reflect the lighter tones of my eyes, which I appreciate. According to color expert David Zyla, my tranquil color is one that soothes and relaxes me, often referred to as a ‘listening’ color.

It's a bit surprising that a vibrant yellow is categorized as my calming color, but it resonates with me. After reading about how painting your bathroom in your tranquil color can create a serene space, I’m starting to feel inspired to redecorate.

Chapter 2: Color Reflection

Here’s a comparison of my favorite color, a rich espresso brown, which truly enhances my complexion, against the bright yellow. Upon reflection, I wonder if the issue might lie with the lipstick I chose, which could be too cool-toned for this outfit.

Shaunta Grimes is a writer and educator. Originally from Nevada, she now resides in northwestern Pennsylvania with her husband, three talented children, King Louie Baloo the dog, and Ollie Wilbur the cat. She is the author of several novels, including "Viral Nation," "Rebel Nation," "The Astonishing Maybe," "Center of Gravity," and "Here I Am." Follow her Substack newsletter, "Then See What Happens," for more insights.