Shorts make me want to die

I admit it...I would rather die than have to put on a pair of shorts.  The last time that I broke out a pair of shorts was when I went to Sea World in San Antonio almost 20 years ago.  I'm just not a big fan of my legs to begin with so shorts make me want to crawl under the nearest rock.

So what do you do when you live in the South and the days start to hit 100 degrees in May?  Dresses!!  That's right, they are the answer to the "no shorts" woman's wardrobe.  There are so many fabulous, easy options in the dress department.  Over the last few years dresses have taken up a huge percentage of space in every retail store.

My favorites are the super soft, knit, washable, easy to wear kind.  I found this fantastic striped dress Talbot's recently and bought it in two colors.  I also love anything Zen Knits.  They wash beautifully and the designer is from Hawaii.  She loves things that can be worn with flip flops over a bathing suit or with heels out to dinner.

It's so easy to make a dress your own.  Add a different belt or put on some funky jewelry.  I love that you don't have to figure out an entire outfit.  Dresses are the new shorts for me!!

Alluring: What to Wear Now

This time of year can be tricky because you can start out at 30 degrees in the morning and by mid afternoon it could be in the 70's.  A lightweight, long sleeve tee is a great option for this time of year.  You can layer it in the morning, remove your jacket by the afternoon and push your sleeves up by late afternoon.  

The following suggestions are all for the Alluring Woman, but I've given you ideas for individual shapes.  I've also started to explain why you would choose this particular silhouette so that you can apply it to other items.

This is the perfect top for the Hourglass.  The faux wrap gives you a low enough cut to show a little cleavage without being too much.  The ruching in the middle draws the shape back in to show off your small waist.  The sleeves are slim cut but not too tight.  As an hourglass the thing you want to focus on is highlighting your waist and the delicate curves of your womanly body.  Let the fabrics skim your body but nip in at the waist (or you can belt your tops for the same effect). 

These cute little shoulder cutouts give the Rectangle an illusion of soft curves.  You may not realize right away by looking at this that the top is straight cut.  But by showing the skin at the shoulders you achieve a sexy, bared look without plunging into the neckline.  

The Oval is a tough shape to dress.  You want to do what you can to minimize the attention being drawn to your middle and keep the look feminine and sexy.  This top is full and gives you plenty of room to be comfortable, but the low cut still makes it sexy.  One of the most important things to remember for this shape is to stop the length of your top at the narrowest part of your hips.  If you go longer, it becomes a tent and if you go shorter you will draw attention to the widest part of your body.  

The Inverted Triangle has a real challenge not to look too sexy.  With a larger bust and narrow hips, a low cut top can be very challenging to wear.  A great alternative to show the shoulders.  This allows you coverage for your cleavage but remains ultra sexy.  By choosing something that has natural fullness in the top and nips in around the hips, you will show off your assets without adding volume where you don't need it.  Ask any man and he will tell you that shoulders are hot!

When dressing a Triangle you want to keep the emphasis on her small rib cage and shoulders.  A wide neckline on this top shows her sexy collar bone, her chest, it nips in around the rib cage but allows for room for her hips.  The ruching on this top helps to draw the top in where it needs to and doesn't look overstretched around her hips.

Mixing Personal Styles

Some of you have asked how to incorporate your primary and secondary styles.  Remember when you took the style test you probably had one that stood out from the rest.  That is your primary style.  You then had one or two other styles that were stronger than the others.  This is your secondary style.  You may be like me and have almost all of the styles, other than your primary, about even.  That is okay too.

So first and foremost, let's talk about your primary style and what you should do with that.  Let's say for example that you came out a Casual Woman.  You read the description and is sounds like you.  But, you look in your closet and it looks more like chaos woman than Casual Woman.  Go back to the description and pinpoint what resonates most.

Example

1. Clothes that move
2. Totes and backpacks
3. Knit dresses
4. Great fitting jeans
5. Shoes that let her keep moving, usually flats

Keeping in mind some of the basic traits of a style will help you when you start to incorporate your secondary style.  For example, the Casual Woman may be an Alluring Woman as a secondary style.  Let's pick out a few key elements of that style.

Alluring Woman (secondary)

1. Big, dark sunglasses
2. Low, v-neck tops
3. Wrap dresses

Okay, a casual woman could wear a great fitting pair of jeans with a low v-neck top while carrying a backpack and wearing oversized sunglasses.  Or, she could wear a knit, wrap dress with a cute pair of flip flops and a big tote bag.  You start to see that you can take elements from both styles and mesh them to create your own personal style.  

Are you a sentimental woman?

Of all the personal styles, the Sentimental Woman is by far the softest and most feminine.  Sometimes she doesn't even seem of this world.  She is a dreamer, feels deeply and you generally want to take care of her (although she is usually stronger than she appears).

You will often think that this woman is from a forgotten era.  She will be ladylike and poised.  She will likely handwrite notes to others.  Her home will be eclectic and interesting.  She may collect something that is pretty and probably an antique.   Whatever she does she likes to feel feminine.

This woman loves soft and flowing things whether in her clothing or her home decor.  You may find soft blankets and flowing curtains in her home.  She admires the quality and workmanship of vintage pieces and they will often dot her home and wardrobe.

The Sentimental Woman is often a reader and her language skills are superior to most.  She gets lost in books and can actually put herself in the scenes.  She is a great visualizer because her imagination and dreams are powerful.  This woman will often be curious and be an excellent researcher.

You are most likely to find this woman working in the arts, in charitable organizations or in something that has to do with history (such as a museum).  She is intelligent but quiet.  She gets lost in what she is doing and can shut out the world.  She is probably an expert in her particular field but isn't vocal about how much she knows.

The Sentimental Woman has an eclectic style.  She either buys items that are reminiscent of another time or actual vintage pieces.  She likes the idea of the vintage pieces having had a life before and giving it another life now.  She will generally look for soft, feminine, flowing pieces.  She is more concerned about feel than look.  She may not look in the mirror right away because she is lost in the feeling of wearing the piece rather than concerned about how it looks.

The Sentimental Woman is by far the most difficult to shop for.  For her, it is personal.  She wants to search out things that are interesting.  She doesn't like to shop in malls but loves to go to little eclectic boutiques and vintage stores.  Her idea of style is telling a story with her clothes.  It may be difficult for this woman to find things she likes in the modern styles.

Several things that the Sentimental Woman should have in her closet are:

Vintage Coat (velvet or with a ruffled collar)
Soft, flowing white cotton dress (this can be dressed up or down in warmer months)
Tall boots (either riding boots or victorian lace up boots)
Vintage beaded clutch (can dress up anything for an evening out)
Lace blouse (this can be worn with jeans or slacks to still feel feminine but modern)
Vintage inspired jewelry

The Sentimental Woman accessorizes just like she dresses.  She may need a scarf to keep warm but you can be that it is a scarf that has some meaning.  Either someone special gave it to her or it reminded her of another time.  She cherishes gifts, the talents of friends and family heirlooms.  Many of her accessories will be in one of these categories.

The main piece of advice that I can give to a Sentimental Woman is to purge often.  Because of the nature of this personality, purging is a painful process.  The Sentimental Woman wants to hang on to things because she genuinely loves them even if she doesn't wear them.  This causes chaos in her closet. Even if you just purge to boxes that you put away, keep your closet for the items you are wearing now only.

Are you a casual woman?

I've really pondered the name for this category.  It used to be "sporty" but too many women would say that they were not athletic or didn't play sports.  I thought about natural, but I know a lot of women in this category that do the hair and makeup and still dress more casual.  That's why I finally decided on Casual Woman.

This woman is absolutely full of life.  She is busy and active and involved.  She loves her family, friends and community.   She may not be playing on a soccer team or golf everyday but she is moving all the time.  But, by the same token, this is the woman that is most likely to play some type of sport or be involved in running, biking, swimming, etc.  If she has kids she plays with them.  If she doesn't, she probably has a dog that she walks and plays with.  She is the woman that you can call to do something at the drop of a hat.

This woman is an easy friend to have.  She caring, fun and easy to be around.  She has a tendency to over-commit because she likes to be involved.  She is great to have on a project or committee because she has excess energy to get things done.

The Casual woman doesn't worry a lot about what she wears.  She wants it to look good, but more importantly she wants it to move.  She wants to be comfortable and dressed to do whatever her day may hold.  Binding or stiff clothes will make her feel like she is in a straight jacket.  She would love to live in yoga clothes, jeans and a tee shirt or sweats.  If she has to dress up it will be pretty simple and still have some comfortability.

This woman isn't a big shopper.  She goes and gets just what she needs.  She has a tendency to wear her clothes to death if they feel good.  This woman usually has a laid-back, easy style that comes off as casually cool.  Jennifer Aniston is a great example of a Casual Woman's style.

Here are the things that every Casual Woman should have in her closet:

• Great fitting jeans...multiple pairs
• Comfortable military style or denim jacket
• Graphic Tees
• Stylish sweats
• Knit dress that can be worn with flats or dressed up with jewelry and heels

The Casual Woman will have some jewelry, but it is generally meaningful.  A friend will have made the pieces, the proceeds went to a good cause or they are representative of something this woman believes in.  She isn't a big accessorizer  but she sometimes likes to put on a piece or two of meaningful jewelry.  This woman doesn't accessorize in many other ways.

She is not a purse woman.  She is more likely to be carrying a big tote, a backpack or a very small bag she can throw across her body or over her shoulder.  She will not change bags to match her outfit, but will change bags to meet the needs of her day.  Her bags are utilitarian not fashion.

This woman will generally be in flats of some sort.  She may have a selection of tennis shoes...both functional and stylish.  She will prefer to wear flats with pants to the office.  She just needs to be able to move quickly and heels hinder that.  Flip flops are definitely her summer choice.

The Casual Woman is usually not my client.  They know what they like.  There is a chic coolness about them that comes naturally.  And, they are generally pretty confident in their appearance. 

Are you a traditional woman?

One of the most popular styles is the Traditional Woman.  I don't know if it is where I have lived (midwest and the south) but in my client base there have been over 40% who have tested as Traditional.  This person is exactly what you would expect.  And, I mean that from a style perspective as well as a personality perspective.

The Traditional Woman has strong values and lives them in a consistent way.  She is steady and dependable.  When the Traditional woman tells you she is going to do something she follows through.  She  is an intelligent woman who makes decisions in an educated and methodical way.  She is not quick to leap.  She cannot be easily swayed.  When the Traditional Woman decides to do something you can be sure that she knows what she is doing.

This woman has a very even temperament.  She is not easily ruffled and maintains a cool head even in the worst of circumstances.  The Traditional Woman will always look for solutions and will not get caught up in drama.

This woman is usually pretty content with what is in her closet.  She will choose simple pieces that she can wear for years.   This woman like structure in her clothes.  She feels sloppy and not pulled together when she wears something like sweats.  She is not likely to go for bold patterns or loud colors.

The Traditional Woman will not follow trends.  When she finds something that works for her, she may buy multiple of the same item in different colors.  She is not comfortable with a lot of details like embellishments, lace, low cuts or big flowing pieces.  She prefers to stick with classic pieces.

Here are the things that every Traditional Woman should have in her closet:

Crisp white button down (Coldwater Creek has some really nice options)
Black or navy suit with jacket, pants and a skirt
Classic trench coat and long wool dress coat
Standard 5 pocket, boot cut or straight leg jeans (depends on shape)
Little black dress

The Traditional Woman likes to have clothes that work together in a lot of different combinations.  She values conservatism and wants to get the most out of her clothes possible.  We will be talking about capsules later in this series.  The Traditional Woman will want to pay close attention to that subject.

Accessorizing is not important to the Traditional Woman.  She will have a few pieces that are important to her and wear the same thing most every day.  She will not change her handbag regularly.  She will have a functional, sturdy bag that she carries every day.

Traditional Women often come to me and want to make changes to step out of their comfort zone.  It is imperative to respect your style.   You may choose to add some flavor from your secondary style but overall staying with conservative, classic pieces will benefit you most in the long run.  Embrace your traditional nature and feel confident that you are wearing what is right for you.

Are you a bold woman?

You probably already knew you were bold before you took the Style Test.  Of all the styles this one is perhaps the most easily detectable.  The Bold Woman has a very strong sense of who she is.  She doesn't experiment with a lot of different styles.  She is sure and confident when she finds something that works for her.

This woman is focused, driven and somewhat demanding.  She expects the best out of herself and those around her.  She is an intelligent woman who is able to see the big picture and make difficult decisions.  She is a natural born leader.

If you had to choose one word to describe the Bold Woman it would most likely be confident.  She knows what she wants and she goes for it.  This is the woman leading the meeting.  She is generally in management, finance, politics, owns her own business or small country.

This woman doesn't want to spend a lot of time thinking about what to wear.  It is important that she looks good but it needs to be easy and have a wow factor.  She is more concerned about quality than quantity.  She wants to walk into her closet in the morning, pull out a complete outfit and be ready to go in minutes.  She appreciates easy to wear pieces that have outstanding details.  For example, she may opt for a simple black dress but it will probably be of very high quality and have something like extraordinary buttons or an architectural collar.

Probably the biggest tip I can give to the Bold Woman is to migrate toward dresses.  Dresses are very popular, they make getting dressed simple and you can get quality dresses at any price point.

This woman will also appreciate high end accessories.  She will wear the same jewelry most of the time but it will be the best she can afford.  She will not change handbags often and she will carry a very high quality bag for a long time.  She doesn't have time to worry about such things as changing her accessories all the time.  So, she gets the best that she can afford and sticks with it until she chooses to go in another direction.

The top items a Bold Woman should have in her closet:

Iconic handbag...something that is an exquisite quality and will stand the test of time...Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Coach
Black, brown and nude shoes....one pair (at least) for each season.  Of course, high quality.
Dresses....casual, dressy and in between
Great fitting jeans
Couple of silk blouses that go with jeans, slacks or skirts...think Tibi
Versatile coat that goes from casual to dressed up...something like the Burberry quilted coat
Great watch....Michele, Fendi, Michael Kors

The Bold Woman should have as few items in her closet as she can live with.  Anything that doesn't fit, has a flaw or is not her style should go.  These things cause her to have frustration around getting dressed.

If Bold is your primary style than this probably resonates with you.  You feel like this would make getting dressed so much simpler and are looking forward to purging your closet.  However, if Bold is your secondary style then some of this might feel right but you aren't sure what to incorporate into your primary style.  Generally, if this is your secondary style you will want to consider keeping your wardrobe fairly paired down.  Even if you have other styles mixed with your Bold style you will want to have the ease of dressing that the Bold woman appreciates.

Are you an alluring woman?

Do you light up the room when you walk in?  Do you enjoy a good party?  Do you make friends easily?  Is it important to you that heads turn when you walk by?  Are you a little bit flirtatious?  If you answered yes to any of those questions then odds are you are an Alluring Woman.  If you want to know for sure if this is your personal style, take the Style Test.  We will be talking about each one of the styles this week.

If you could only pick one word to describe the Alluring Woman it would usually be fun.  She enjoys being in a group of people and shining.  As a matter of fact, she loves the spotlight.  She will be the woman who makes an entrance as she walks into a party.  It is kind of like...the party can begin now that I'm here.

The Alluring Woman just shines.  People enjoy being around her because there is so much life to her.  She is often in a business that allows her personality to shine.  She may be a performer of some type, in sales, in the beauty industry or an event planner.

This woman's style is sometimes all over the place.  Because she is spontaneous, she may make impulse purchases that are not right for her shape or style.  The Alluring Woman will feel more confident and pulled together with a little wardrobe coaching.

It is important to this style not to feel too buttoned-up.  Whether her blouse is a little low cut, her outfit is form fitting or her skirt is short; she is more comfortable when she looks sexy.  She will benefit to remember to do one of these things but not all at once.

The top items that the Alluring Woman should consider having in her closet are:

Jeans with a nice, close to the body fit.
A well fitting black skirt that stops just above the knee or higher (with good legs)
Big, dark sunglasses
Lots of sparkly jewelry (costume is perfectly fine)
Wrap dresses
Nude heels that can be worn with most anything
Low v-neck tops (can be worn with just about anything)

The Alluring Woman really loves accessories.  She likes to change her handbag to go with whatever outfit she is wearing.  She loves jewelry and will often be wearing multiple pieces.  She has belts, scarves, hats, etc.  You name it and she has bought it!  She gets bored with her accessories so she shies away from buying expensive pieces and goes for good looking costume pieces instead.

Remember that everyone has a primary style and a secondary style.  If your style is Alluring first then this probably resonates with you.  If Alluring is your secondary style then you will incorporate elements of this style into your primary style but it may not fit perfectly.

For example, if this is your secondary style, you may not feel the need to have lots of accessories but you might appreciate a well-fitting jean that makes people turn their heads.  You may not change your bag with every outfit, but when you are going out you may want to carry a fun purse.  Take elements of this style that feel right and incorporate them into your style.

We will talk about specific outfits and how to pull them together when we get into the body shape discussions.

What is your personal style?

I was at a women's event once when a lady came up and said she had heard me speak at some other event. She told me that she was so relieved when she learned about her style.  All these years she had been buying purses all the time.  She thought she must be crazy to have so many purses but then she learned that her particular style loved to accessorize and change their bags often.  It gave her permission to be herself.  I love stories like that!

So, what is your personal style?  The easiest way to find out is to print this out and take this very short  quiz.  Choose one word on each row (across) that best describes you.  You may think that two words describe you but go with the one that is most like you.  Add up the columns (down).  The one that with the largest number is your primary style.  You will generally have another one that is close or has the next largest number.  This is your secondary style.  If you have equal numbers in all the other categories or you are pretty equal all the way across contact me for more information.  While it is unusual, it also happens sometimes.

I.  Alluring

II. Traditional

III. Bold

IV. Casual

V. Sentimental

Write down your style because we will learn about each over the next few days.

What is your body type

You may know right off what body type you are.  But, for those of you who are unsure, let me ask you to take your measurements.  I know, nobody likes to do this, but it is necessary.  Don't worry about the actual number, figure out the differences.

Here is what you want to know:

1. How much difference is there in your bust and your waist?  Bust smaller or larger than waist?
2. How much difference is there in your waist and hips?  Waist smaller or larger than hips?
3. How much difference is there in your bust and hips?  Bust smaller or larger than hips?

Now we are ready to figure out your body shape:

• If your bust is within a couple of inches of being the same as your hips and your waist is at least 8 inches smaller than either your bust or hips...you are an Hourglass.
• If your bust is 8 inches or more smaller than your hips and your waist is smaller than your hips...you are a Triangle.
• If your bust is 8 inches or more larger than your hips and your waist is within 2 inches of your hips...you are an Inverted Triangle.
• If all of your measurements (bust, waist and hips) are within 2 inches of each other...you are a Rectangle.
• If your waist is your largest measurement...you are an Oval.

If you have any trouble figuring out which one you are, go to the Contact Us page and send me an email.  I'm always happy to answer questions!

What You Should Have in Your Closet

I could tell you that there are five things that every woman should have in her closet, but that wouldn't be the truth.  Think about it...don't you have friends that have a different style than your own?   You might admire the way that someone dresses but it doesn't mean it is right for you.  There are different personalities and different body types as well as different lifestyles!

I've been working with women for a long time and one thing that I've found to be true, no matter what, is that no two women are exactly alike.  And, being authentic to yourself is the only way to become truly stylish.  I'm going to give you information that I use with my clients.  And, I'm going to give it to you for free.

I am going to make 26 posts over the next month that all have to do with finding your own personal style.  There will be quizzes, suggestions and links to items that will work for your particular shape/style combination.

I hope you will enjoy learning more about yourself.  I get tremendous pleasure out of seeing a woman settle into her own personal style and becoming more confident in the way she looks.  If you enjoy what you learn, I ask only one thing...share this blog with your friends.  Get as many women as you can reading about how they can feel great too!!

Global Color Expert

Do you ever wonder how every store all over the world has the same color scheme going on at the same time?  Did you know that there are actually people who decide a year in advance what the "hot" color of the season will be?  Do you want to know who those people are?

Color research is done by Pantone all the time.  They contact designers and others in the fashion and interior fields.  They ask questions about inspiration and vision for their collections.  Then they compile the information and come up with a palette for the seasons.  This is why you will have a hard time finding emerald green this spring or bright yellow this summer.  Oh, other colors will still be out there but they will be few and far between.

So what do you do if these aren't your colors?  Well, the good news is that the regatta blue fits most every skintone.  If in doubt...go blue.  You have the russet brown, beeswax and coral rose for warmer skin tones.  Lavender and honeysuckle for the cool skin tones with darker hair.  And the light girl with blonde hair fairs very well this year.  Everything except russet brown, beeswax, coral rose and honeysuckle will work for this girl.

The important thing is to not fall into the trap of buying colors that don't work for you.  A beautiful, filmy silk blouse may look great on the hanger but make you look like a corpse.  Pick your best color and stick with it for the season.  Add a couple of accent colors and you are good to go!

Yesterday I posted ideas for this in between type season.  And, I know that a lot of people are dealing with this because Facebook had tons of posts from around the country about how nice the weather was.  If it is 50-60 degrees during the day then you can bet it is cooler in the morning.  So, as cute and thin as those models are, they don't represent the average woman.

We hear it all the time...a size 12 is the average size for the American woman.  REALLY!!!!  As a boutique owner I would go to market all the time.  Many designers only go up to a size 10.  Personally I am offended by that.  If I can stay a size 10 fabulous...but I often creep up to a 12 or 14.  So where are the models that look like the rest of us?  Well you're not going to see them.

Even in magazines that are dedicated to the "real" woman, we see the not-so-average 6's and 8's.  Even Oprah has a few pounds carved off of her voluptuous figure for the cover of her magazine.  No wonder we all have image issues.

I was talking to a girlfriend the other day, who is one of the most elite image consultants in the country, about this very issue.  How images in the media make women feel inadequate.  This isn't a new topic.  We have heard about this issue for years.  The only thing we can do is turn off the tv, put down the magazines and "own" who we are.  That's right....if you are short like me, a little heavy like me or anything else; it is okay!!  It is okay because we are loving, intelligent, funny, nurturing, talented women!!  We don't have to look a certain way to have value.  Our society just tells us we do.

So the first thing to looking your best is OWN IT!  Then find things that fit your body well.  These particular tips are for the shorties like me who want to look great and feel great.

 First and foremost...think balance.  People always want to put me in straight leg jeans because I'm short and they think volume is going to make me look too big.  Ha!  Straight legs make me look like an ice cream cone. A little junk in your trunk?  Opt for at least a boot but, maybe even more!

                                            

 These are my all time favorite jeans and they are Lee!  Great waistband that doesn't roll down, a good amount of stretch and short or medium lengths.


Then I have the issue of the big boobies (which my husband reminds me is never an issue).  The best thing for us is stretch, stretch, stretch.  Used to be stretchy materials were just for gym clothes.  But now you can get great ponte knits, matte jerseys and even stretch silks.

I love this jacket for just throwing on over a cute shirt with jeans.  I also love that you obviously need more to fill it out than what the model has going on!!  This jacket is classic, stretchy and incredibly priced!

Opt for a cute top made out of a stretchy knit.  The thing with tops is remember to get movement without adding volume.  The cut of this top is perfect because it is fitted at the bodice and has a little more movement around the hem.  And, don't worry if you are well-endowed you can still wear ruffles as long as they are small and soft (the ruffles....not the boobies)

I've never been a shorts girl.  Which makes me love the trend of dresses.  Take a plain, knit dress and pump up the volume with cute jewelry and ballet flats or flip flops.  

No matter what you put on, remember to strut your stuff like you were on a New York runway!!

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The In Between

These months where it is 35 degrees one day and 70 the next are the most challenging of all times.  So here are three quick hints for keeping up with the weather demands.

1.  Keep yourself warm weather ready.

     

You may have gone for weeks without shaving your legs in the winter.  Your underarms might not have been silky smooth every day.  And, your legs may have been wearing the seasons stylish crocodile look.  But, the weather is getting warmer and you need to get your body back into bare shape.

Get yourself a really good body scrub and use it is the shower every day.  Either put lotion on your skin at night or slather on the body oil.  If you use something like Jojoba oil it will dissolve into your skin instantly.  It is the closest to our natural body oil that you can get.

If you are tired of shaving those legs and underarms, consider investing in an at home laser hair remover.  Do it now because you can't use it as you start to spend more time in the sun.  I've been using the Tria all winter and can really see the difference!!

2.  Layer, layer, layer
     
I just can't emphasize this one enough.  Start with a cute, sleeveless top.  Put on a lightweight sweater and top it off with a trench or other cute jacket.  Finally, tie a light weight scarf to your bag.    

You will be ready for anything from sitting outside where the breeze makes it a little nippy to going into an overheated restaurant.

Cute options for the season:

                          

3.  Break out your flip flops

     

It might still be a little chilly but I'm sure your feet are dying to be out in the air after being cooped up all winter.  Throw a little pair of flip flops on and carry the oh so popular, travel flats with you.  If  your toes get a little frost bite, switch out your flip flops for your stylish flats.  You are good to go no matter what the temp.  Just make sure your feet have had their spring treatment to remove all the dead skin from winter!

Don't get caught in temperature inappropriate clothing during the in-between season!!  

  

Versatile Pieces for an Outdoor Wedding

My brother is getting married outdoors in March in Texas.  That means it could be hotter than hell, a monsoon or freezing cold.  March is completely unpredictable in many parts of the country.  It might not seem to be a dilemma but, there's more.

I am driving to Texas several weeks early so that I can visit friends along the way.  And, I have a tiny car that will only hold a suitcase slightly larger than an overnight bag.  That means that I have to decide what to wear before I leave and feel very confident in my choice.

That only leaves me one thing to do.  Layer!!  I need a fabulous outfit that I can wear with flats or heels (flats in the grass and heels for the reception).  Plus, I will need layers from light sweater to long overcoat.  Not a problem.  Flexibility in the face of any situation/occasion is truly one of the key elements of the stylish.

Here are my choices for the event.  If you have something similar arise remember...layer...layer...layer!!

St. John classic black sheath dress.  An investment piece that you can wear for years.  And, here's a hint, St. John knits can be blocked to fit approximately 10 lbs up or down!!  Makes it an even better value.

Beaded St. John jacket dressed up the simple black sheath.  It is the perfect transition from day to evening piece.

Samuel Dong Taffeta Bubble Coat.  This lightweight, water resistant coat is the updated version of the traditional trench.  The slight sheen gives it a dressed up look.  And it stretches!!

Hot Rollers

I haven't used hot rollers in decades.  But, now that my hair is longer, I was trying to achieve that loose, sexy curl and the curling iron just wasn't doing it.  So, I googled "jumbo rollers" and found this YouTube video.  It's a short video so I didn't think much of taking the time to watch it.

After watching, I dug out my old hot rollers which are not the kind that they recommend on the video.  At the end of the day, before I went out, I decided to give her instructions a try.  Now, I've been out for cocktails and dinner.  Come home and put my jammies on before I took this picture.  As you can see, the method works!

Here is the video!!  

I love that the stylist is wearing a Texas charm on her bracelet!!  No wonder she can get big, beautiful hair!

Casual Chic and Easy

Are you going out tonight or just want to look a little special at the dinner table?  Most women know how to put on a dress and heels and look smashing.  The real question is usually, "How do I stay comfortable and casual with a WOW factor?"  Clients have been asking me that question for years.

Of course, venue is a piece of the equation.  But, if you are going to a restaurant and want to focus on the person across the table from you and not worry about how you look or fidget with your outfit, then read on!  First, what makes you the most comfortable?  Jeans?  Yoga Pants?  Dresses?  Go with what you feel your best in.

I am a jeans or yoga pant girl.  So, when I want to dress up and add a little punch to my usual casual outfit, I focus on the top.  I will add sheer, sparkles and probably show a little decolletage.  When I'm out I'll never think about my clothes.  All of my attention will be on that sweet man that I married!!

Add a sheer blouse to your nicest yoga pants.  Make sure that your undergarments are the same color as the sheer blouse.

Pump up the volume with a simple, sequin tank under a casual jacket.  The light reflecting from the sequins will make you sparkle all over!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Sexy Shoulders

We are talking about shoulders.  Did you know that Donna Karen always says that she shows shoulders because they are the only part of a woman that doesn't gain weight.  Maybe...maybe not, but, I do think they are one of the sexiest parts of a woman.  And, most men would agree.

So, the one shoulder trend of this coming season is hot!  The great part of this trend is that you can still get a little coverage (if you feel like you have grown out of your strapless years) and still be smokin'!!  Plus, the one shoulder style lets you put a bra with straps under your dress.  They actually do make convertible bras that will work with this kind of dress.  I say hallelujah, because these girls need support!!

Christian Siriano...at the top end of price, this evening dress is an absolute stunner!

Guess by Marciano gives the one shoulder dress super elegance!

Jay Godfrey's Paradis is a sexy, easy to wear dress that will go anywhere.  Your jewels and shoes dictate how dressed up this will be!!  Perfect for vacations!

This BCBG dress is a great option for cool, casual dressing in warmer months.

And, here's the bra!!

It doesn't matter what the occasion, a little shoulder goes a long ways!

My Favorite Hip, Comfy Shoe

I first saw these at market years ago before they became uber popular with the celebrity crowd.  I kinda thought they were unremarkable looking at the time.  Simple canvas shoe in ordinary colors.  But, there was something really cool about them.  Their story.

Blake Mycoskie knew from the beginning that he wanted to start this company to make the lives better for people in Argentina.  For every pair of shoes that Tom's sells they give one away.  One for One.  That's their company motto.  How could you not think that this kinda ordinary, canvas shoe was super cool?!!

So, I bought a pair.  Then I bought another pair.  They are the most comfortable shoe I've ever owned.  One of the salespeople I talked to said they feel like wearing cushy socks.  Yea, kinda.  But, I love that they look cute with skirts, jeans, shorts, ankle pants....anything.  They are the new ballet slipper for the socially aware.

Wanna be a style icon?

Are you one of those women who just have to have the latest fashions?  Do you run out and buy something in the color of the season?  Do you just die to dress like Natalie Portman or Kim Kardashian?  So, how's that working for you?

Wouldn't it be nice to be one of those women who just throws something on and looks like a million bucks.  I mean, they don't even seem to be breaking a sweat to be a style super star.  I bet you think that if you could just get the perfect (fill in the blank).  It doesn't matter whether you filled in boots, necklace, jeans...whatever!  If you had the perfect whatever, do you really think it would make you a style icon?  Hardly!!

The women with effortless style own it.  Huh?  They dress without regret.  That's it!!  They don't have to be the tallest, the thinnest or the richest.  They just end up looking that way because they don't fidget, adjust or sit like they're trying to hide something.  That is the gigantic secret.  Be comfortable and be yourself.

Now, go out there and get some yoga pants, skinny jeans, leather skirt....whatever it is that you feel is a true reflection of you and fits your body.  Then, own it!  Only then, will you be a style icon in your own right.