

When thinking of fall palettes, bright vibrant colors are the last thing on my mind. Typically, black and soft neutrals set the tones but just like everything else happening around us, nothing in 2021 is the same. As the world sheltered in place for most of the 2020 fall/winter season, we missed out on our typical fashions as the industry shut down most operations. This year, designers are taking advantage of lost time by making up for what we missed with exciting and vibrant colors, prints and overall looks. With optimism on the rise, there seems to be a gravitation towards intense hues and distinct combinations this upcoming season.
While traditional tones will make a natural shift, bright colors trending through spring/summer will continue to have their moment during the autumn season. According to Pantone Color Institute experts, colors for Fall/Winter 2021/2022 emphasize our desire for a versatile range of color that embraces and accommodates the various possibilities of our lifestyles; colors that encourage personal expression whether sensible or quirky; colors that embrace the calm and healing as well as express a rainbow of hope and joyfulness.
Fall 2021 lit up the runways in more ways than one but designers' use of color throughout each collection created bold personalities of their own. This year's color trends reimagined everyday essentials, easily elevating looks with the use of exciting hues and color schemes.
Warm up your traditional fall wardrobe with electrifying compliments to neutral tones with the addition of deep blues, pastels, vivid pinks, and ultra bright trending hues.
1.Illuminating Yellow
There's something about a black woman in yellow. Typically a spring/summer hue, this color dominated the fall runways. Named Illuminating by Patone, this color is described as "friendly and joyful, an optimistic yellow offering the promise of a sunny day." While the guarantee of a bright beautiful day is less likely as seasons change, mixed with a soft purple pastel, this color combination is giving life regardless of the weather conditions.
2.Leprechaun Green
Named for its wondrous green hue, this color is one of the most distinct. Green has been a top trend throughout spring/summer of this year so it's no wonder it will continue through fall. Cop a few accessories in leprechaun green or layer your look with a bold oversized blazer for the win.
3.Pale Rosette Pink
A romantic pink, the soft Pale Rosetta is another non-traditional fall tone. The perfect hue for a feminine yet chic approach, look for this color in chic knit sets this season. Pair with a classic wrap around heel or a white calf-length boot when looking to accessorize this pretty in pink moment.
4.Mykonos Blue
While many of us may not be able to vacation in the beautiful mediterranean city by the sea, there's no reason not to add this hue to your wardrobe this fall. Described as a brisk blue evocative of the Aegean Sea, this stunning shade of blue is one of my favorite colors of 2021. Such a vibrant tone sets off your entire ensemble with an instant pop. Have fun experimenting with your look for an eye-catching color-blocked combination.
5.Fire Whirl Red
Fire Whirl is the hottest color trend of the 2021 season. This fiery selection will bring the sparks, lighting up your everyday looks this fall. A vigorous red with a dynamic presence, use extreme caution when wearing this bold color choice. Pair with cream and gold accessories for a classic yet chic look to adapt to the rest of your neutral fall clothing collection.
To get your fashion fix and to stay up to date with the latest trends, check out the xoNecole Style section here.
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'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Are You & Your Partner Financially Compatible? Here’s How To Tell.
With nearly half of all marriages that end in divorce citing finances as the nail in the coffin to deading their relationship, financial compatibility is one aspect of long-term compatibility that doesn't get talked about enough. Beyond the circular 50/50 discourse and whatever hot-button issues regarding providers and the like, at its core, financial compatibility is about how well your financial behaviors, values, and long-term goals align with those of your partner.
More than it is about how much money a person makes or doesn't make, financial compatibility focuses on how you think about money, how you spend your money, and most importantly, how you plan for the future with your money. Think, questions about money mindsets, spending habits, debt, budget, etc. Are you a saver and he's a spender? Do you see money as a tool for freedom? Does he see it as something to hold on tightly to as a means of survival? Can you talk about your financial goals and plans openly?
Knowing if you and your partner are financially compatible can save a lot of heartache, a lot of headaches, and a lot of money in the end. Keep reading for a few key indicators to pay attention to and learn whether or not you and your partner are truly aligned financially.
Signs You’re Financially Compatible
1. You can talk about money without judgment.
Conversations about money aren't something you dread. You're able to talk to your partner freely and openly about money matters, like debts, bills, the budget, etc., even when it is uncomfortable. There is an understanding that talking about money doesn't have to be something you're on the defense about, instead it's an opportunity for transparency, clarity, and solutions.
2. You respect each other's money personalities.
What is a money personality? According to Ken Honda, author of Happy Money, a money personality is our "approach and emotional responses to money" and there are seven money personalities we can fall under. These personalities can help us understand our own relationship with money, as well as our partner's. For example, maybe you're someone who likes to treat yourself to a fancy dinner once a month and your partner is someone who believes ordering takeout and not cooking meals at home is a cardinal sin.
When you can respect each other's money personalities, neither approach is subjected to judgment and shifts can be made in each other's spending habits as needed and from a place of love versus guilt or shame.
3. You agree on what it means to have "financial security."
Whether it’s building a stacked emergency fund, paying off debt before putting a downpayment on a home or being able to splurge on a baecation without checking your account balance before the bill arrives, your definitions of what it means to be financially secure are in sync, or at least compatible enough to reach a compromise.
4. You are not each other's "financial parent."
You’re not constantly teaching, fixing, or stressing out over what the other person is doing with their money. Although I fast-forwarded through a lot of the most recent season of Love Is Blind, I did pay attention to Virginia and Devin and money seemed to be a recurring theme in their conversations. It was clear Virginia had her ish together when it came to money and her financial plans for the future and Devin was not quite on her level.
Though she said no at the altar for additional reasons, I could also see how sis could eventually get very tired of being her partner's second mama, so to speak. And that's the thing about being your partner's "financial parent," eventually, you could end up feeling like you are one-half of a "parenting" or "teaching" dynamic with your partner instead of feeling like you're equals in a partnership.
5. You make financial decisions with each other in mind, not for each other.
Whether it’s booking a trip, deciding which debt to tackle first, saving up for a big purchase, or planning out your next move, there’s a mutual respect for each other’s input. Those shared goals might look like wealth, freedom, stability, or just a debt-free life that feels soft and secure.
You don’t have to be chasing the same bag in the same exact way, but you do need to be aligned on the vision. What you're building should feel like a joint venture with shared effort and purpose, not one of y’all making major money moves like you're still single. Making financial decisions is not just about where the money goes, it's about where you’re going together.
6. You're aligned when it comes to the big stuff.
Financial compatibility extends to the long-term of money management. The legacy, structure, and shared responsibility that comes with decisions like shared accounts, estate planning, having babies, or even blending families. Will you split bills or combine income? Who’s taking time off if you have a child? How do y’all feel about generational wealth or investing for your family’s future? You and your partner have had the real conversations.
These conversations can’t wait until after the wedding or until after a baby’s here. They’re the foundation for how you function as a unit, and if you're not aligned, or at least willing to get on the same page, that incompatibility can cause friction in the end that love alone can't fix.
Love is cute and all, but building an empire together? That’s the real flex. Tap into our new series Making Cents to see what financial compatibility really looks like when love and legacy go hand in hand.
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