Pages

Friday, December 31, 2010

My Top 3 Stylish Celebrities of 2010

As I look back over 2010, there are a few celebs that I admit gave me a little style envy. They always seemed to just pull of a look that made such a stylish statement. My faves include:

Rihanna- She is so versatile and doesn't mind taking risks. Always staying ahead of the fashion trends, she still remains true to her authentic style. Over-the-top, glamorous and totally orginal.




Halle Berry- Still a classy bombshell who will never age. She wears her clothes well and always looks effortlessly chic, very relaxed and confident.



Zoe Saldana- A very feminine, flirty yet sophisticated look. Whether it's a body hugging dress or romantic ruffles, Zoe just always seems to get it just right.



These are my top 3 celebrities, who would you add to the list?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Confessions of a Thrift Shopper

Ok I admit it…I love shopping at thrift stores, it was my best kept shopping secret! You would be amazed at the fantastic items that I have scored over the years.


Because of the economy, there is no longer a social stigma attached to shopping for secondhand fashion. Many see it as a great alternative to shopping for a new-to-you wardrobe.


But if you are new to this fashionable trend, I offer the following tips to help you have a wonderful shopping experience:


1. Make a list and check it twice: When you enter a thrift store it can be overwhelming. All of those racks of clothes. You have to approach it as a treasure hunt. So take an inventory of your closet to see what you really need and shop for those items first.


2. Wear leggings, tank top and flip flops: Some thrift stores have a final sale policy and many do not have dressing rooms. So make sure you wear something that is easy enough for you to try on clothes.


3. Best Location: Thrift stores located in affluent neighborhoods tend to have a better selection of items.


4. Become a preferred customer. I make it a point to go thrifting at least once a week. Some of the employees at my favorite stores know me. So they keep me informed of when the new merchandise comes in, upcoming sales and much more.

Do you have any tips that you would recommend to a first-time thrift shopper?








Sunday, December 26, 2010

Tips for shopping the After-Christmas sales

Gift-card recipients, bargain shoppers and people looking to exchange their gifts, make the day after-Christmas a big shopping day.

If you fall into this category, here are a few tips to make the most out of your shopping trip.

(1) Start early- To get the best deals, do not wait too long after December 26. You will risk missing out on the best deals and you will only have left-overs to pick from.

(2) Buy Winter Clothing- Especially a coat or jacket, often marked 50-80% off. Select a classic shape that will be in style for years to come. Plus depending on where you live, it’s cold enough to wear now instead of waiting until it is too warm to get much use out of them.


(3) Resist pressure to buy sale items- It’s on sale! It would be make a nice “early” gift! But would you have bought it at full price? Walk away and come back a few hours later. If it’s there, you’ve found a deal; if it’s gone, you’ve saved some money.


(4) Keep track of where you store “early” gifts and who the intended recipients are- Use next year’s calendar and record the storage place next to the date of the event. If necessary use a code only you will understand. This prevents you from having to go buy gifts because you forgot where you stored an item.

(4) Be patient- Especially in the return line. It will be long, so pack a little patience. If you choose to, do your returns on another day but be sure to check the stores return policy.

So use these tips and I promise your day after-Christmas shopping will be well worth the trip.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas Day Style

Since your Christmas things-to-do list is complete. Now it’s time to think about the perfect outfit for Christmas Day with the family.  Whether it's going to grandma's house, lunch with the in-laws or eating out with your girlfriend’s at your favorite restaurant, you must plan this outift carefully.



Remember it must meet a few requirements including being warm and comfy, stylish and festive, plus have a little extra room around the waist area. Below is one of the looks I am inspired by. This slouchy sweater dress paired with w/leggings and comfy knee boots get my seal of approval!

BCBGMAXAZARIA Sweater Dress



P.S. Don’t forget to pick a nice oversized tote bag large enough to hold your camera, the presents you are bringing and the ones you will receive, plus room for your to-go plates.

So what is going to be your stylish look for Christmas Day?

Monday, December 20, 2010

Out with the OLD, in with the NEW

More important than buying new clothes because you think you have nothing to wear, is sorting through exactly what clothing you own.

Take an honest look at your wardrobe. Is your closet a gallery of your favorite items? Do you have clothes with tags that you haven’t worn? Do you take longer than usual to put an outfit together? If you have answered yes, then it’s time to purge your closet.


Here are a few tips to help you get started:

(1) Invite one of your trusted friends to assist you. Especially one whose style you absolutely love.

(2) Go through your closet and assess your clothing. Keep the items you definitely want hung up and the rest separate them into two piles A no pile and a maybe pile.

(3) The “No” pile should be clothing not worn in the past year. If these items have sentimental value, put away in a storage tote and store them away. Other items can be donated to charity or save for a fashion swap.

(4) Now go through the “Maybe” pile. This is where your trusted friend is invaluable. Try on each piece and only keep items that you can wear immediately. No excuses, like I will lose weight etc. Any items that need to altered should be brought to seamstress ASAP.

(5) Change out any mismatched hangers. Having the same looking hangers give your closet a nice uniform look. Your closet will be organized and more user-friendly.

(6) Lastly, organize your closet. I suggest organizing by three categories: career, casual and evening wear. Then by color. Trust me, this will make getting ready so much easier.

After following these tips, go through your closet again. You now have made space in your closet. If necessary, you can make a nice shopping list of items that you need to update or refresh your wardrobe.

Remember if this seems overwhelming, hire a personal stylist. These trained experts will guide you along the way to a clutter-free closet and a fashionable new you.

Friday, December 17, 2010

The Little Black Dress- A Fashion Icon

Like a true friend, devoted husband or a love "affair", the little black dress is the one thing that you can rely on. It's always available, never goes out of style and makes a powerful statement.
Designer Coco Chanel has been credited with coining the term "little black dress"

Most fashionistas will agree that it is a must-have staple that every woman should have in her closet. Is your little black dress a fashion icon? It is if you can answer yes to the following questions:

  • Is it versatile enough to go from the office to a cocktail party?
  • Does it reflect your style and make you feel fabulous?
  • Is it the perfect background for your bold accessories?
  • Can you wear it many times, without others realizing it's the same dress?

Here are some of memorable LBD moments:
Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy LBD in Breakfast at Tiffany's














Princess Diana after Prince Charles televised confession of adultery


First Lady Michelle Obama's offical White House potrait


So what is your most memorable LBD moment? Where and how did you wear your LBD?





Wednesday, December 15, 2010

New Year, A New Stylish You? Hire a Personal Stylist

Is a wardrobe update or new image one of your New Year's resolution? But do you know that research shows that about 80% percent of people who make resolutions on Jan. 1 fall off the wagon by Valentine’s Day. But that's not you, that's those other people.


One way that you can make sure you keep your style resolution is to hire a personal stylist. We all have our personal style, it comes naturally to some of us. But others may need a little help to find it.  Just like you would hire a lawyer if you get into legal trouble or a mechanic if you your car needs to be services, you should hire a professional expert to help you with your personal style goals.

Here are a few things to consider when hiring a personal stylist:
  • They will work with you to develop a wardrobe that reflects your lifestyle, mood and the image you want to project.

  • Having an expert to handle your shopping, manage your wardrobe and provide unbiased feedback on your look is invaluable. Plus it leaves to time to take care of other day-to-day activities.

  • They are affordable. Do you research and determine your needs. Do you need a wardrobe audit? Styling for a special occasion? or Someone on-call for your fashion emergencies? This will ultimately determine your price.

  • It is an investment in your image. As experts in the field of fashion and style, you will learn and always be in the know of the latest trends, do's and don'ts of fashion and this will help you to maintain your polished look.

So be a part of the 20% who actually keep their New Year's resolution and consider hiring a personal stylist today!