It’s more about the width of the stripe than the stripe.  Just make sure you choose a stripe that will compliment your overall body scale and proportion.

Nautical is always a great look for spring and this spring it seems as though they are bigger and bolder than ever!   Do you go horizontal or vertical?  Horizontal is considered nautical.

It is not the stripe as much as the size of the stripe that matters when you are choosing one.  If you are absolutely adverse to wearing a stripe, just go with a summer nautical stripe  handbag or scarf as shown and you’ll be right on trend for spring.  Just do it and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

I’m paralyzed lately getting a new handbag.  I just don’t like the “slouchy” look that is all the rage.   Honestly, I love a good handbag, but I just can’t seem to part with the funds that my hearts desire is drawn to.

Why oh why do they have to cost so much money?  Do “real people” really spend this much money on these handbags or do they have an “in” that I don’t know about?  Someone tell me!  Please…I think they have a secret that no one knows about!

This season, it looks like I’m totally absorbed in Marc Jacobs and Dolce&Gabbana go figure!  Can’t you just “see” the difference!

I like purses with structure, and simple classic shape.  Don’t give me bling and I’m not into hooks and rings.  Just a beautiful classic leather bag.  No “stuff” on the outside of a bag that advertises for the designer.  Talk about “free” advertising.  How crazy is that!  Subtle elegance is high on my priority list!

Maybe someone will “gift’ me one of these one day!  Until then, I’ll have to stick to the labels everyone knows Coach, Kate Spade, and Brahmain for example. Ho, hum! As I use to tell my children, just because I like doesn’t mean I get!

How about you?  Are you drawn to accessories that are totally out of your price range?  How do you do it?  Do you go there?  I think, I really do think that there is a place that we don’t know about that sells handbags for a fraction of the cost and are as good quality as those that are thousands of dollars.  It’s called “knockoffs” or “fakes” and I won’t go there either!  Real or nothing for me!  Until then……

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Here are some of my favorite new shoe trends for spring!  Have fun on the weekend but remember at work your number one goal at work is SUCCESS!! Think of your next step.  Being “caged, cuffed, studded or clogged” may not get you there!

Eyes travel from bottom to top when people first meet you.  Don’t get tongues wagging at work if you are in a conservative environment with these Cage, Cuff, Stud, Stone, Clog and Wooden Wedge trends this spring.

Unless you are in the fashion or advertising industry, I caution you in purchasing this type shoe for work.  Instead, try these “work appropriate” shoes for an updated look in your wardrobe this spring.  Go for patent leather, color and snakeskin for an updated, successful business look.

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Accessories are said to be the “icing on the cake” . They finish your look.  They can change your style and make an otherwise boring, simple outfit chic and trendy.

So, what’s the latest accessory trend?  We’ve seen cage shoes, chunky jewelry, big bold belts, even skinny belts.  The latest trend in accessories in NAILS!  Yes, that’s right, all the stars are getting “minxed”!   Extend “fashion to your fingertips!”  You heard it here first…

A few years ago artificial nails became passe.  Everyone who was stylish and on trend began to adhere to a more “natural” clean look to their nails.  I wondered at the time how long it would last simply because a true natural nail takes so much more upkeep.  Well, it didn’t take long.  Introducing Minx nails.

So what exactly is “Minx”?  Minx is a solid film with an adhesive back that is heat activated. The heat gives Minx the ability to confom to fit over the compound curves of nails and seals it onto the nail bed.  Think of it as “shrink wrap” for your nails!  It is created in San Diego, California and there is a patent pending on the product.  It can be easily removed with heat by you or your manicurist.

Check out the video on YouTube to see how it is applied.  It’s the latest in nail fashion and I suspect will be sweeping the country this spring.  Match your nails to your new dress and you’ll

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Much like the “icing” on a cake, accessories complete the outfit.  To leave the icing off just doesn’t “taste” as good.  Neither does your outfit!  An otherwise boring outfit become stellar with a few simple well-placed and thought out accessories.  Accessories should always bring out your style personality and embrace your inner core.  For those of you who abhor shopping, this will make it more fun, I promise!

There are 6 well-defined style personalities and one of those reflect who you really are!  Don’t hide behind a core piece, don’t hide behind your “accent” color. Bring it on!  Show your style!!

DO you know if you are a classic, traditional, feminine, sporty, dramatic or trendy personality.  I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want to be considered stylish, but knowing “who” you are is key.

Accessories: Belts, shoes, handbags, jewelry, scarves -may even be the buttons or embellishments added to a jacket that shows your style

What is it that makes you say that someone looks “put-together”?  Is it that they have a pair of slacks on that fits their body?  Is it the jacket they have on?  I say NO, these are not in and of themselves unique.  It is the accessories added to an outfit that create a dynamic, unique, expressive outfit.

Here are the important components to build a wardrobe on purpose with accessory pieces:

Accessory Key Core:

• Key Core Neutral shoes and handbags (Ex., if you have purchased a navy suit, then buy key core accessory shoes and a handbag in navy.
• Two heel heights (minimally) open and closed-toe.
• Remembering that you have 2 seasons that you are working with, do not forget to have 2 sets of seasonal key core accessory shoes.

Accessory Accents Colors:

• Know your seasonal accent  “color”
• Shop only for accessories in your accent color
• Collect scarves, handbags, bangles, belts, earrings, necklaces, etc.

Make sure that as you select your accent jewelry that it does reflect your personality!  If you have a very sporty personality, you will not feel comfortable in a sweet, delicate necklace or one with lace!  That’s for the feminine personality.  There you have it!  A simple wardrobe created on purpose with focus on 3 easy steps. To read the other parts of a Wardrobe on Purpose click the links below.

• A Wardrobe Based on Purpose
• Key Core Neutral Foundation
• Seasonal Accent Colors
• Accessories

The Holiday Season is a very short season and unless your budget allows, it is foolish to spend a sizable portion of your wardrobe allowance on something that you are only going to wear once or twice.

I was ‘browsing’ Target, I found these great add on pieces for stellar Holiday Dressing.  When dressing up your outfits for the holidays just remember that sometimes it is the smallest addition that makes the biggest impact.

Always take into account, color, style and fit but don’t forget to allow room for a little daring personality especially during the Holidays!  You’ll feel stylish and I found these great items recently at Target.  All are wearable trends for every budget and style and won’t break the bank!

Try these 4 Dress Up Tips and you are sure to “look good, feel great and have FUN at that party!”

• Add a little sparkle to your sweater.  Look for special touches. Are the buttons made out of glass or even a rhinestone center?  A little (not a lot) of sparkle goes a long way!
• Check out the jewelry counter for costume jewelry.   Worn with a black cashmere turtleneck and a pair of dark denim jeans is so chic!
• Buffalo Plaid is all the rage.  Add a cute black and red check scarf to a crisp white shirt, black slack  or a leather skirt, pumps and you’re good to go!
• Add a simple long lightweight vest to any outfit wrap it with a belt, throw on a bracelet or cuff and there you have it.

4 Simple, easy ways to dress up your holiday look this season .  Remember:  “Look Good, Feel Great, and Have FUN Doing It!”

Check this great Jimmy Choo handbag from Nordstrom out.  It has interpretations of all the latest trends.

Follow these simple rules when wearing/carrying that BIG bag and you’ll be on trend and in style every day.

1. Rule #1 you can only have 1 statement!  Don’t go statement bag AND statement earrings.
2. Watch the hardware on your handbag, it sets the tone for your jewelry-gold to gold, silver to silver.  Although you don’t watch to “look” all matchy-matchy with your jewelry, you do want to accessorize correctly since this is a BIG statement.
3. Keep the color bold and simple-DON’T opt for a multi-colored print “Statement Bag”–so old-school
4. Opt for interesting “on-trend” details.  This season chains, quilting and fringe are all on trend.  Choosing a bag with trend touches makes them look more “luxe”.

Accessories, specifically jewelry should have a connection-be in harmony, to your outfit.  Always take scale and balance into consideration when choosing your accessories and keep these 5 tips in mind and you’ll finish your look with style and pizazz.

1. Cuffs and Bracelets: Stacking bracelets these days is so chic.  Don’t shy away from mixing different sizes together to add interest.  If you are bold enough, you can even stack on a cuff or 2!
2. Rings: According to Tim Gunn, Host of Project Runway, a woman should have 3  rings – engagement, wedding and fashion.  The first two are a matter of taste and budget says Gunn.  The third should be about FUN (you know I’m all about FUN).  The real trick is to keep that fashion ring FUN.  Don’t try to make it look real-today it’s really all about the costume jewelry.  Flaunt that fake!
3. Necklaces: Many fashion mistakes are made here.  Necklaces should be chosen based on your neckline.
   • Crew or Turtleneck – choose an opera length (26-36″ length)
   • V-or Plunging – choose 17-19″ (princess length)
   • Strapless – choose a choker, bib, or princess length
   • Halter or 1 shoulder- choose NOTHING- leave it alone and wear “killer” earring
4. Watches: Personal preference leads decisions about size and scale of watches, but  you’ll want to keep it simple and elegant if you are wearing cocktail attire.  A large chunky watch with cocktail attire just won’t do.
5. Earrings: Everyone should own at least 1 good pair of stud earrings.  Be careful though that the studs aren’t larger than about 1/4 in circumference, says Gunn.  It’s not the same as wearing that “fashion ring”.  If you can only own one pair of good studs, go for a good pair of quality pearls.  They are always tasteful, classic and stylish.

There you have it, 5 great accessory pieces that you can wear know you look great!  Next up is how to handle that Statement Bag! Follow our blog(s) weekly and you’ll have everything you need to:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have Fun Doing It!”

Today, I ran across an article on tying Hermes’ scarves.  Check out the 16 different ways to wear Hermes scarves.

I find that over-sized squares sometimes the most challenging.  Don’t “think too hard” about tying or using accessories.  Keep it simple, not contrived and you’ll feel confident wearing a scarf.  Try these ways with a large square:

• Around your wrist
• Around your waist
• Through your belt loops
• Weave through a chain belt
• Like an ascot
• Wrapped like a “cowboy scarf”
• Rolled on the diagonal and thrown across your shoulders
• Around a lapel of your jacket
• Drape around your handbag
• Around a ponytail
• Around your head a.k.a. “hippy-style”
• Pulled through a belt loop and knotted once
• Around your back like a cape (you’ll have to have some verve for this!)

Just have some fun with it.  If you are fortunate enough to own a Hermes Scarf show it off, wear it, have fun with it,  be proud to own one!  And remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Perhaps it’s easier to buy shoes than it is to buy clothes.  I  adore shoes.  Shoes can change your look, change your attitude and add so much style to an otherwise common outfit.

So why not take a chance and embrace this fabulous trend for the upcoming  Christmas Season.  Instead of buying a totally new outfit this year, try something different.  Shop for shoes and change your look!

If you can’t be bothered with heels, try some embellished flats.  There is something for everyone out there this season and you don’t have to spend a lot to make it work!

Think about it, we all have at least one pair of black pants, right?  Even jeans.  Slip into any one of my favorite shoes and you will be right on trend and remember if they don’t fit, flatter and feel good on, let someone else have them!

Check out some of my favorites this season.  Each one of the shoes displayed here are “on trend” whether it is glitter, bows, flowers, purple or geometric influences.  So if you are having a dilemma about what to wear to that party coming up, just say “shoes”.  It’s fun and certainly less stressful than finding the “perfect outfit”.  You’ve just made one!

Click on the picture or go to Nordstrom and you’re on your way to have style this Christmas Season!