When I was growing up, there were a few things that Mom told my sisters and me not to do.Like, for instance
No tattling and whining.
No writing on interior trim. I confess to scribbling on my windowsill once. Okay, maybe twice, before I got caught. I remember Mom mumbling something about having plenty of paper around the house. Probably should have told her I wanted to be a writer. Things might have gone easier.
And
We were not EVER to wear articles of brown and blue clothing together. It simply was not done. After all, they did not match and it just didn't look right.
Right?
For years, I was fine with the "No brown and blue" rule. Mom knew best, of course.
Recently though, I've seen brown and blue thrown together. In pillows and draperies and such...
What?
How is this possible? Clearly they missed Mom's memo.
You know what?
This stigmatized blend, say, on a scarf or framed print, doesn't bother me so much anymore. It's grown on me, particularly when a dusty, light blue is combined with a rich chocolatey brown.
So how does this relate to writing? Unlikely combos provide great writing ideas. Articles, posts, interviews, stories, poetry, lessons - the possibilities are endless.
For instance, why not:
Pen an article about the similarities between skydiving and marketing.
Share a blog post that compares hockey and writing.
Or discuss blogging and babies.
Create a character who has traits of Abraham Lincoln and Tom Cruise.
Hey, why not?
Perhaps it's not brown and blue but apples and oranges that will generate fabulous ideas. Go ahead, let your mind wander. You never know what might come from unlikely blends. And perhaps your mother, like mine, might not mind so much.
Do you like the combination of brown and blue? What improbable pairings give you ideas?
Have a great weekend,
Karen
P.S. Don't Forget
Tomorrow at midnight is the deadline to enter the giveaway for With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin. Monday's post has the interview, my review, and the details. If you missed it, click here.
Photo credit: Stock Exchange
Ben Earwicker
Garrison Photography, Boise, ID
www.garrisonphoto.org
Don't think I own anything that is brown...
ReplyDeleteLove this post. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Funny how perspectives change over the years. Now brown is such a great neutral paired with pink, or blue, or green...
ReplyDeleteI've always loved brown and blue together and now I will think of this post every time I see it! What a great inspiration!
ReplyDeleteJan
Oh, I do love this post. And you're exactly right, Karen. Why the deuce not? Maybe that's why I've paired my amateur sleuth, Minnie, with two twenty somethings in my mysteries. Hmm - something subliminal going on, I'll wager. Now - do you approve of pink and red combos? =0)
ReplyDeleteI like this! A lot. Thinking outside the box...
ReplyDeleteThis is good stuff, Karen.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteWell perhaps you might want to branch out. Apparently it will work with your existing blue stuff!
Linda,
Thank you. It's funny what will spring out of looking at a brown and blue pillow. :)
Lydia,
I know it. But I still don't care for asparagus or brussels sprouts. Go figure. And I agree, brown is a great neutral! Love the baby girl things you see with brown and pink.
Jan,
Ah, well, I am glad this will inspire you in the future! You just never know, right?
Susan,
Thanks so much! Your sleuth sounds like she has a great combo going. Love it! Yes, I can go with pink and red, depending on the shades. Seems to me that was another thing that we didn't pair together much, you know? And then came Strawberry Shortcake...
Rhonda,
Well sometimes thinking in the box just gets kinda crowded! lol Having flashbacks to my childhood just thinking about it. I know my sister Wendy would get a good chuckle out of it.
Happy weekend,
Karen
I like the color combination of blue/brown or pink/brown. I also like your idea of pairing different things and having a new perspective.
ReplyDeleteI have Kakhi slacks I pair up with any top that's handy. Recently, I wondered about how some of my combos look to other people.
ReplyDeleteI need a day or two to bring this idea into the realm of writing. I'll get back to you.
Hi Karen - mine was never wear blue and green together .. but I've never liked brown much .. yet in nature it's there all the time ...
ReplyDeleteMy mind wanders as my latest post shows .. I think I rest my case ..
But we do need to break the mould and try different things .. cheers Hilary
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI do like the pink and brown combo too. I've seen a bunch of cute little girl stuff in those colors when shopping for my nieces. :)
Cecelia,
Sometimes I realize I haven't looked at my outfit when I'm heading out the door. I need to pay more attention to that! :)
Hilary,
Now see, we were okay with green and blue. Go figure, right? You're right, brown is all around us. Breaking the mold - I think you've hit the nail on the head!
Happy weekend,
Karen
No brown with blue, who knew? I never got that memo.
ReplyDeleteI think brown goes with everything!
ReplyDeleteGood point about paring opposite or dissimilar items for inspiration to write. One of my professors calls that "the integrative habit of mind" - allowing contrast to stimulate fresh thinking. Good post.
Sometimes those odd combinations work the best.
ReplyDeleteThis is funny - I remember telling my dad not to wear brown and blue together when I was a know-it-all teenager, and now I like the combination. I recently overheard a mother talking about how embarassed she was that her daughter wore red and purple together, but then . . .I've found I actually like that combo too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I've just gone colorblind, or I've opened my mind to the beauty that God has created around us . . .if you look at a field of flowers, you'll often find different color combinations growing right next to each other in bright array.
I like both brown and blue (separately ofcourse). But, I feel I don't own many brown and blue clothings.
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteLol! Well, apparently my Mom did and we lived by it for some years. :)
Warren,
It does make a nice neutral, doesn't it? I like that term; I'll have to remember it, thanks!
Diane,
I know it! Helps me think outside of my box sometimes, you know?
Tyrean,
You have a good point about a field of flowers - or a bouquet too, for that matter. Haven't quite gotten the hang of purple and red yet. Just depends on the combo. :)
Rachna,
Me too, and rethinking some things of late. Obviously, right? lol Perhaps it will grow on you too.
Happy weekend,
Karen
That is so funny because I LOVE brown and blue together in rooms. (Although I've never worn that combo)
ReplyDeleteMy granite is brown with flecks of blue so I totally played up to that.
You're right, anything is possible. :)
I own all shades of brown clothing but as blue is not in my color wheel it's not a pairing I make. An opposites combination I do like are hot, salty french fries washed down with a cold, chocolate shake.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen...I'm not a true fan of brown and blue but I don't think they clash.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment on my blog. Appreciated your visiting. Susan
I prefer brown and pink. :D
ReplyDeleteMy kids have been caught drawing on the walls (of course they deny it). I said the same thing your mom did. Must be a standard mom thing to say.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteI know, it's really grown on me! Your counters sound wonderful; I'll have to check out that combo the next time I visit a home improvement store. :)
Sally,
Opposites can be great, that's for sure. Your combo of fries and a shake sounds great! :)
Susan,
No, no clashing, it just has to hit you right, I'm thinking. Congrats on that new grandbaby! :)
Stina,
Thanks for stopping and following! Enjoyed my stop at your blog today. I agree, brown and pink is very nice. :) A mom thing - you are right!
Happy weekend,
Karen
LOL! I'd like to throw the rule out about not wearing white after Labor Day. I got married in November and had a terrible time finding white shoes.
ReplyDeleteAs far as writing, I've come up with some unlikely pairs.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteThe white rule - that was one my Mom didn't care for. Who knew? :)
Blessings,
Karen
I remember when that colour combo became popular too, lol. And like you, my first reaction to it wasn't good. Now I rather like the combo. hehe.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice.
Lynda,
ReplyDeleteOkay, so I'm not the only one! It's funny how it's grown on me. My daughter took to it right away, but she didn't grow up with that rule either...lol
Blessings,
Karen
Hmmm-- I'm still trying to get my head around the Lincoln/Cruise mash-up. I have a few items of clothing that are brown or incorporate brown, but I don't think any blue is included. Not that it would matter to me all that much.
ReplyDeleteLee
Wrote By Rote
Lee,
ReplyDeleteLOL, well sorry to make you think too hard on that one! It just popped into my head when I was writing this. Let me know if you ever put that combo together!
Blessings,
Karen
Great post! I can never remember if it is brown and blue or brown and black that don't go together! lol. I think it all comes down to the shades of brown and blue that are together. Honestly- in nature it goes just perfectly. I like that this post has made me think about mixing and matching things that I might not have put together otherwise! Thanks!
ReplyDelete~Jess
This is so funny! I never thought brown and blue went together, either. But that photo you posted is beautiful! The silly trends we get caught up in. :-)
ReplyDeleteJess,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I know, I grew up with the brown and black thing too, although that wasn't as much of a big deal. Go figure! Glad you liked the post. :)
Mare,
I know, it kinda makes me laugh too. You're right, there are so many combos in nature that just work! Yes, I can be a silly girl. :)
Blessings,
Karen