Conservative Glamour.  The reemergence of luxury.  Classic style and quality are all over the runways this season.

Urban Warrior: The designers fascination with the strong American woman!  Rich leather and modern tech fabric in addition to sophisticated new trenches.

Bohemian Rhapsody: Our love affair with the juxtaposition of jeans and silk continues.

Eclectic Chic: Classic iconic lady like dressing.  This woman loves to mix her patterns, prints and textures while keeping the same color story going.  She knows how to wear color and layers it selectively giving her a look that is uniquely her own.

Let’s get excited about what’s coming.  Dig deep and find your own true American Heritage. Connect with your past and you’ll find inspiration to keep moving.  Give up the old, the tired and renew your own American Spirit!

As they say, nothing is new, it’s just reinvented in a new a better way.  Shop your closet for a great core piece and add something in the “renewed” American Style this season!  I promise you will

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

You must be willing to shake up the norm, risk a few stumbles and be willing to fail.  We’ve all heard there is  “strength through adversity”.  It can be said that the same is true for creating style, you can learn from your mistakes-failures if you will.  Being fearless, shows that you have the willingness to learn what to do right by assessing what has  gone wrong!

Last spring I participated in a new event called a closet swap.  It was amazing what people brought into the swap and to see who achieved the most success.  I have to admit I was a bit skeptical initially thinking that I didn’t want someone’s “junk”.  Besides, don’t we all have enough of our own junk?

Once I was “willing” to participate and get into the party atmosphere-really relax and get in the flow, I started to rock!  I had fun and got into it.  It was like shopping in my client’s closet.  I was looking for that one item that was the “keeper” the one piece that would make something look different. That needle in the haystack~

Do you consider your wardrobe “boring”?  Do you feel like you are in a rut, style-wise?  Have you worn the same thing for the past 15 years and just feel like there is no hope?  Trust me, there is hope even for the most hopelessly “un-stylish”.

It starts with your willingness to dig down deep and discover or re-discover who that chic is inside your soul.  Do some “soul-shopping’.  Join me for a Shop Your Closet Webinar and get yourself moving!

We all have some yin and yang to us.  If you are more yin then try some yang, and if you are more yang, why not calm down a bit and introduce some yin.  See what happens.  See if anyone says anything.  Do it with some accessories and I guarantee you will get a few heads to nod!  Get a bit of fearlessness in your attitude and you will:

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

Uber has its roots in German language dating back to the 1800’s when philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche coined the term “ubermensch” to describe a higher state he felt men might aspire (superior men).  It was brought to the  United States and in the 1930’s  and used in the story of Superman, the iconic American hero.  It is through this association that the term “uber” carries much of it sense of  irresistible superiority!

In today’s pop culture uber is used interchangeably with the word super, but means so much more that.  Uber has a sense of excellence and superiority-confidence if you will that just can’t be conveyed by using any other word.

Katharine Hepburn and Paul Newman are arguably two of the most recognizable faces.  Both  had “uber style”. Passionate and opinionated, they always knew “who” they were.  Uber Style is the true sense of being who you are, no matter what.

Knowing who you are starts within, a deep connection with your roots and a very real, spiritual sense of belonging.  Many have an innate sense of knowing “who” they are.  For most though, this connection develops over time as we try on styles, watch our mentors or connect with icons and those we respect.

Uber Style is NOT a copy of someone else. Uber Style is YOU!  How do you get there if it’s doesn’t come naturally?  (remember style can be taught!)  It’s not difficult; but to learn what your style is you must connect with it on every level.  I encourage you to become more cognitively aware of what you really do like.  Ask yourself these questions:

1. What music do you enjoy on most days?
2. What style does your home life reflect?
3. What cars do you admire?
4. What are your favorite colors?
5. What characteristics do you most admire in a person?

If you have difficulty answering these questions, simply ask yourself these questions in the opposite way.  What is it that you DON’T like? Most people can tell you immediately what colors, music, cars or decorating styles they don’t like.Send us your ideas. Who do you think has Uber STYLE today and follow us as we continue to discuss how you can get Uber STYLE!

Finally, browse magazines; not just fashion magazines, but business magazines and pop culture magazines as well. This will help you really connect on a more cognitive level with who you are and how you want the world to perceive you.  Have fun with it, create a notebook out of it and add to it over time. You will see even you can have Uber STYLE and remember:

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

She waved excitedly from down the street and as I approached I saw that she had tufts curly white hair held back with a lime green and pink polka dot headband.  She was wearing  a gray rhinestone t-shirt that said “Girls Rock”.   Her tunes were playing  and I saw that she was taking what was probably her favorite  bear for a ride.  He was all strapped in safe and secure.  What I would give now for a picture of this child.

I wanted to go for a ride with her!  I wanted to experience her enthusiasm.  I wanted to say “girl, YOU rock”! Mom was a few yards away walking the family dog dressed in “mom attire”.  It made me wonder whether mom use to be like that as a child or or if the little girl just loved hot pink, glitter and glam!

I also wondered what she was going to be like as she got older and wanted to show her “glitter and glam” side to the world.  We all try on styles to see what fits, what works.  It’s a natural part of exploration and growing up, but I believe that our inner style personality is something that we are born with.

Somewhere along the way, women lose site of that inner personality and get a bit disconnected, derailed and off track.

Who were YOU when you were 3?  Did you love plastic stilettos or flip flops?  I know I loved “pretty” things.  I loved little white socks with ruffles and lace! Where is that little girl now?  Well she’s still there, but I don’t wear the ruffled socks anymore!  I’ve moved on to other pretty things!

Who are you now? Are you a SAHM (stay at home mom) relegating yourself to ho-hum wardrobe just because it is the easiest and closest thing to pick up and wear or most comfortable?  Are you an executive woman who wears a “man suit” just because you are in a man’s world? Are you a retired woman and because of that you just wear the same thing day in and day out?  Are you an entrepreneur and say “I don’t need a suit”  or “I can’t afford a suit”?

It doesn’t matter who you are or what part of your life you are in.  Go ahead and check in with that little girl you were at 3, try on a new shirt or buy that  belt or handbag that steps into that little girl again.

Reconnect with the girl you were and let’s  see you can “rock” it again!

StyleCAMP helps you rock that little girl again so you can build a wardrobe that will work for you in the lifestyle that you lead.  Rock that girl so you can

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

I thought, “if green is everywhere in nature, shouldn’t it be in everyone’s closet?”  I wonder.  I’d like to say a blanket “yes’ but knowing me there’s always a caveat.  If you know color you know that it is both “warm” and “cool”.

Just look at the collection of leaves in the photo.  They range in color from a yellow (warm) green to a blue (cool) green.   Choosing the right green for you can begin there.

Is your skin “warm” or “cool”? Do you have yellow undertones or blue undertones?  That’s a start.  Consider what you are drawn to.  Are you drawn to lighter, brighter colors or darker, richer colors.

Selecting a green for you can be as easy as this. Jewel tones that have been popular over the past few seasons and many of you have brought dark rich colors into your closet.  Just because it has been the trend remember that it doesn’t mean it is “right” for you!

Give a pause and consider what your connect with in nature.  Next time you are outside just take a look at the beautiful palette of colors that nature has made.  There are NO mistakes in nature. Man makes mistakes!  Don’t make your mistake by choosing the wrong color for you!

If green doesn’t “turn you on” try looking at your closet.  I would bet that there is SOMETHING that has a touch of green in it.  It might be as simple as a blouse with a pattern that has green in it, or even a blue that goes green

Remember green is the symbol of renewal.  It is fresh and life-giving.  It is also the symbol of MONEY and we all could use a little more of that!  So put a little green in your wardrobe; add it to your pink or turquoise or yellow this spring and see what life-giving properties it gives you!

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

I took a picture of this pine frond to encourage all you allergy sufferers out there that you are almost done! See, there are only a few pods left on the frond…

What is causing your misery in the closet? What is it that you are suffering from?

• It is too many t-shirts?
• Pants that don’t fit?
• Can’t find any dresses that you like for spring and summer.
• Do you even know what looks good on you?
• Are you in a style funk?

Any one of these could be the simple cause of your misery and unlike pollen this cannot go away until you learn the source and understand how to fix it.

You have a chance, one chance this summer to “fix it” or at the very least get a great start to understanding your style misery.

Come to StyleCAMP, June 19th.

We are busy working on new educational opportunities for you so if you have always wanted to come, don’t wait any longer.  The next learning opportunity won’t be until the fall!

Discover the cause of your misery and you’ll learn how to :

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

I have seen a lot of confusion I have seen at weddings recently.  No one really knows what to wear.  Either that or they don’t care.

I want you to care, I want you to look your best because if you look your best you’ll feel your best and have the best time!  We’ve talked about Afternoon Weddings and Evening Weddings.  Now let’s talk about destination weddings.

I’ve heard about weddings on Cruise Ships, the Beach, a Remote Island, even Italy.  They all sound very romantic and fun, but I believe that it does create some confusion when planning for the occasion.

So, if you are the bride or groom and are planning a destination wedding, please do your guests a favor and let them know how you would like them to be attired.

Having said that here are a few of my suggestions on everything from dresses to footwear for a destination wedding.

Think “business casual” not “weekend casual”.  Even though you are much more casual, you still want to be dressed up, not sloppy.

So, even if you are wearing your jeans, make sure they are your dress-jeans and not your “cleaning the yard” jeans.  Pay close attention to detail if you are traveling to another country.

Pay attention to their cultural mores and what is acceptable in the country.  There may be special attributes about wedding attire that is different from what you are used to seeing.  If there is something unique about the country, try and embrace the culture and go with it!

Beach:

• Sundresses
• Jeans (o.k. if specified on invitation)
• Khakis
• Linen Sports coat
• Lightweight gauze or linen dresses or slacks
• Bermuda shorts (guys)
• Flip-flops, sandals or no shoes (ladies)
• Flip-flops, Docksiders, no shoes, loafers w/no socks (guys)

Cruise:

• Same as above for clothing (if not specified by invitation)
• Shoes-sandals, Docksiders, loafers w/no socks

Other Country:

• Dress denim (men)
• Linen blazer (men)
• Silk shirt (men)
• Silk dresses (women)
• Heeled sandals and pumps (women)
• Colorful patterns (men and women)

The bottom line is to simply think about the event and plan for it.  Enjoy the opportunity to do something different and you’ll

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

What to Wear to an Evening Wedding

What to Wear to an Afternoon Wedding

Most of them are too young to really know who they are; they haven’t had enough life experiences to really know.  There are two women that are connecting connecting with the heart and soul of who and what they are all about.

Crystal Bowersox, 24 from Elliston, Ohio for example, comes into the game with dreadlocks, a single parent, and a huge tattoo of a sunflower on her back!  From the very beginning she has “known” who she is and the types of music that she likes to sing.  Being one of the oldest singers, age has brought her wisdom.  There is a soul you connect with deep within.  Recently, trying to shake it up a bit she played the piano.  Simon encouraged her NOT to try to steer away from her image, who she is and the people she connects with.  Although her performance that night was good, I would have to say that I agreed with Simon.  Staying true to herself she radiates confidence.  She knows her style and is one of the contestants that has already made it in the industry regardless of what may happen in the votes.

An then there’s Siobhan Magnus, 20 from Cape Cod.  She seems so sweet, kind and demur.  She shines and sparkles with a quiet confidence.  She is a care giver to her sisters.  You can sense her sensitivity in the way that her energy emanates on stage.  I don’t know who is helping contestants dress, but they are also helping to build the image and develop that inner personality coming to the stage.  Siobhan last night had a skirt that was full of lace and fabric.  It was ethereal-almost angelic in its look coupled with a denim vest.  She’s edgy yet sweet.

What about you?  Have you ever really thought about what makes you tick?  Finding your perfect style isn’t about being karaoke.  You can emulate a personality up to a point.  To truly have a perfect style YOUR style you must dig deep and get to the heart and soul of who and what may YOU tick.

Check it out and may the best contestant win!

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

Connecting with your source of inspiration is one sure way to begin to understand your unique style personality.

Oscar Night is always an inspiring event for me.  I love watching all the beautiful people parade like peacocks in front of the cameras.  I imagine the weeks and even months of planning, searching and scouring designer looks for just the right piece actors (well their stylists)  go through to capture the right look.

This year it seemed as though more than ever there was something that distracted my eye and brought down the total look.  All these women are beautiful people.  All have style.  All have a certain “look”.

Sarah Jessica Parker in  Chanel.  The dress is classic Chanel, but her  bad spray tan and oversized hair piece put the whole look in danger.  Sandra Bullock, always sporty chic wore a gorgeous Marchesa gold beaded dress embracing a different spirit.  It was elegant and chic, it didn’t seem to resonate with me.  It was beautiful on her body, but I felt wasn’t “her”.  Topped off with her bright pink lips I just felt a disconnect.  I’ll bet she couldn’t wait to get it off.

The one style icon that I feel got it right from head to toe was Meryl Streep in a former Project Runway contestant Chris March design.  Sheis a Traditional Style woman.  She is a “working girl”.  I love the fact that she “is what she is” and has no pretenses.  This makes her true to herself, beautiful, aging gracefully and stunning in her dress.

You see, it’s not just about the dress.  It is the total overall look.  Tell me who do YOU think had the most fun on Oscar Night?  Of these 3 ladies, who do you feel was true to herself and expresses her Style Personality?

The next time you are inspired by someone or something, try to connect, really connect with the source of this inspiration and you will truly have an “inspired look”.  Do this and you will always:

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

The women range in age from 16 to  24.  Their talent is pretty amazing-it was the first time the audience had the opportunity to see each contestant perform and vote.  As one would expect,  Simon Cowell’s critiques were harsher than the other judges  This time though something that he said resonated with me in a different way.

At one point Simon said:  “quite frankly I thought it was boring” and “I don’t know who you are”.

It hit home with me in a new way when crafting your image, your personal style and your unique wardrobe.  Admiring someone’s style is a starting point in creating your style.

“Copying” someone’s style is just that a copy.  It is not you.  Just like Simon said, it is boring, something you have heard/seen before.  Does it look good?  Sure but are you really being unique?  Maybe not.   In order to make yourself unique you must discover not  “copy”  style.

We all have a “Simon”, an inner critic.  Make it easy on yourself when creating a unique style.  Start with something that you can identify with.  Start with music!  What music do you love?  Is it “rock and roll” or is it “country”.  Is it loud or soft, lilting or intense?  All of this will help you to become more aware of who you are on the most intimate level.  Watch as the season progresses.  Each contestant that makes it to the top will connect with and discover their inner music style.

Next time you are admiring someone’s style, pick it apart.  Look at it from head to toe.  What exactly is it that you like about the look?  Is it hair, makeup, shoes, accessories, body line, etc.  Use your 5 senses to connect to your true style and don’t settle with copying someone’s look!  Grab onto an icon to begin – connect with your inner style.  Become your own American Idol-step into your style and remember:

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