Spring Break is Right Around the Corner

Spring break is right around the corner, and, even if you’re NOT going anywhere NEAR a beach, Spring Break still means that warm weather will be here soon – serious fingers crossed on this one, considering the odd winter we’ve had – there’s honestly a part of me that thinks it might be snowing in July, like some kind of cruel payback, but I digress… So if you’re planning for a getaway, or just planning ahead for the summer months, this post is for you…

Over-packers Anonymous

The question of what to pack sends many people into an anxiety-ridden tailspin…

My 5 Go-To, Non-Boring, Wardrobe Staples

I was thinking about the pieces in my closet that were on the heaviest rotation. My favorites,  my best-of list. The pieces that I go to over and over again that never disappoint. What surfaced were 5 go-to, non-boring wardrobe staples that always give my outfits that finishing touch. And the perk is they’re timeless and THEY’RE ALL AFFORDABLE.

So what about these 5 wardrobe staples makes them so useful? And so versatile? IMHO, it’s because they’re pieces that easily add a little oomph to an outfit, BUT not so much oomph they couldn’t be worn again because they were just too memorable.

One important note – these pieces are available at all different price points. So, if you want to spend $20, $200 or in some cases $2000 you can find all 5 items at all of these prices, and everywhere in between. The looks will be similar but the materials used (rayon vs cashmere) or the designer label (Mango vs Gucci) are what account for the huge disparity in price. I’ve linked products that run the gamut price-wise, so be sure to click the photos to find the item and price that’s right for you.

A Short and Sweet Valentine’s Day Post

This is quite possibly the lamest blog post I’ve ever done, so I apologize in advance. The flu has knocked me out, hard. So this is a bare-bones, short and sweet one. What to wear for Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday that happens every year so the question that comes up every year too.

What If You Don’t Want To Go All Out for Valentine’s Day

What if you want to give a nod to the Valentine’s Day holiday but not go all out with hearts and pink and red? Personally, I think it’s kind of fun to acknowledge the day (even though the hubs and I typically avoid the crowds and spend the night in). But there is a difference between paying homage and dressing in a costume.

Here’s a quick, down and dirty, full-proof formula for a Valentine’s Day outfit that’s not too over the top but still celebrates the Hallmark Holiday of love is this…

Sweats for the WIN-ter

It’s that time of year when I truly want to stay in my PJ’s all day long. I don’t know about you, maybe it’s the cold, or lack of sun, but my motivation level is waaaay low. If I have a day that I can be a homebody,  a lazy day outfit is on the docket for sure. And if I have to actually get dressed and go out (which is most days) then THE MINUTE I get home the comfy clothes are on.

Loungewear and pajamas that are presentable are a must-have for a zillion real-life scenarios, I went in-depth on that subject last year. And, I’ve updated those links so all the items highlighted should be in stock.

Sweatsuits are IN Again

2020 seems to be the year of the sweatsuit. Not athleisure, or loungewear or joggers, but full-fledged, matching top and bottom sweatsuits.

And those sweatsuits can look super cute out of the house too.

You may have noticed a lot of celebrities stepping out in matching sweat sets and that tells me it’s only a matter of time until we see it in a more mainstream way.

Did You Know I Post an Outfit of the Day on Instagram?

Well, almost every day I do. Or at least try to. When I’m leaving the house I make a quick stop at the “Selfie Mirror” in my bedroom and snap a quick pic. It’s actually a tip I give my personal styling clients as well. Keeping photos of the outfits you’ve worn helps so much when it’s time to recreate those outfits for packing or other occasions. If I’m being honest, I’ve scrolled through my own Instagram #OOTD highlight to jog my memory when getting dressed on more than one occasion. He-he, it really works!

They’re My Real Clothes, From My Real Closet

When I post my Outfit’s of the Day (#OOTD) on Instagram I’ll often get dm’s asking about items in the outfits.

Here’s the thing… the clothes I wear in my #OOTD’s are my real clothes from my real closet. Meaning, I’ve collected them over many years – even decades. So, many of them are old, or resale or vintage, and not easily linkable. So when I answer the DM with the brand or store name, it’s often a wild goose chase for you to find the item.

And, my job is to make shopping easier for you, not harder…

So, I’m doing an experiment. I’m posting links to similar items to those in the OOTD photos – at all different price points. And the exact item if it’s fairly new and available. My hope is that it will make it easier for all of you.

The Leather Puffer: Fashion & Function

That red puffer coat Maggie is wearing in the photo above is mine from a few years ago. As I reminded her a zillion times, she’s only borrowing it – because she needed a warm coat that covered her tush. It got a lot of love on IG from all of you (thank you). And frankly a ton of love from every store and restaurant we walked in to as well. Maybe because it’s red and happily stood out amongst a sea of black jackets… And maybe it’s because leather puffer jackets are a cool way to stay warm and stylish.

It’s no good to look fab but freeze your a** off, right?? So your winter coat needs to keep you warm, first and foremost. And then it’s second most important job is to look good. Leather puffers happily do both!

How to make sure all the stuff in your closet is properly insured…

I realize a post about insurance may not be the somewhat light-hearted fun and fashion that’s regularly here. However, I truly believe this is an important topic to cover – ESPECIALLY for this audience!

I’m one of those people who actually LOVES all of the items in my closet. Yes, I know they’re inanimate objects, but they truly bring me joy. Thanks to Marie Kondo for coining that phrase. And I, btw, encourage my clients and readers to also love what they wear. It really does help bring out confidence and calm and lets you focus your energy on the bigger stuff. But I digress…

How to Protect Your Stuff = Insurance

So, I was kind of disappointed in myself when I realized how little I knew about keeping these joyful possessions protected. Not how to hang, fold or clean them but HOW TO INSURE THEM IN CASE OF DISASTER.

Yes, I totally have insurance – home, auto, life – we are covered. We have a fabulous agent, that I adore. Who, in fact, has become a wardrobe client and a friend too. And this past season, as we were purging her closet and coordinating outfits for fall/winter we got to chatting. 

How Much Would You Get to Replace it?

What Does the Pantone Color Even Mean??

Every year for the past 20 years, the Pantone Institute picks a COLOR OF THE YEAR. According to Wikipedia “Twice a year the company hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations’ color standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a color for the following year; for example, the color for summer 2013 was chosen in London in the spring of 2012”.   This color then influences fashion, home decor, floral design, graphic design, makeup, nail, and many other consumer-oriented products.

You might not have even consciously known about this whole Pantone Color of the Year thing. But, you may remember in certain years, particular colors become “popular.” And often that’s because it’s the Pantone Color that year. Like tangerine tango in 2012 or radiant orchid in 2014. In fact, one of my most favorite pair of shoes (for both comfort and fashion) is a pair of radiant orchid Jimmy Choo sandals from 2014. I still wear them and whenever I post a photo in them, you guys message me about a link for them… If only they still made them I’d be such a happy gal.

Animal Prints are HUGE right now. Maybe too Huge.

Animal prints are forever chic. They’ve truly never gone out of style. But right now, the animal print trend is huge. Like maybe too huge. All you have to do is spit and you’ll hit an animal print something in every store you enter. There is not a retailer, from Target to Saks (and everywhere in-between) that hasn’t jumped, heavily, on to this trend. In some ways, it’s great, because you can find animal print pieces at all price points. But in some ways, it’s feeling kind of overdone and saturated.

And as one client recently said to me “5 years ago you had me wear my animal print pieces and I felt a little edgy and different. Now when I go out it seems like everyone is wearing it, it’s a sea of women in leopard and it all just blends together.”

So the question might not be How to Wear Animal Print BUT How to Wear Animal Prints and Make Them Uniquely Your Own for 2020… Because getting dressed is about communicating who you are. Not just looking like everyone else.

The How To Layer Necklaces Formula

Last week I had an Instagram post about THE BEST top to wear under a jacket or sweater, but the layered necklaces I had in the photo seemed to get all the attention and love. And that got me to thinking about how when I meet with my private styling clients, a question that comes up often is HOW TO LAYER NECKLACES.  So, let’s address this wardrobe HOW TO this week.

While there is a formula, so to speak, know that rules are made to be broken. And if you have a way you like to layer your necklaces, that works for you, then go for it! You, do you.

Fill Up The Space

A lot of times there is the need to layer necklaces because there is visual space in the outfit that needs to be filled. Do you know that saying “what’s the most beautiful accessory a woman can wear.? Her smile…” that’s what it’s all about – bringing attention to a person’s face. And wearing necklaces, or scarves helps frame a face and therefore bring attention there.

Layered necklaces give the same umph as a statement necklace, but with a lighter, more casual vibe. But, unlike a statement necklace, it’s not a one and done. Meaning you can’t just throw the necklace on and go. The layered look seems more effortless, but in fact, takes more effort to make it look right. Ironic, huh??