it's all about tights...

...when the weather is this nippy...and although i always have a good number of basic black tights...there truly is more to this hot trend than basic black...this is a great way to spice up an otherwise "dull" outfit...try a stylish solid color or a fun pattern...

when looking for "colored" tights...i always start with "we love colors"...you are sure to find the color of your heart's desire...department stores are carrying a wide selection of choices...i usually find several that i need to add to my ever growing number at bloomingdale's or nordstrom...

opaque tights are flattering to virtually every shape and size...play around with color - either match outfit, tights and shoes, or (if you're more bold, and have the shape for it) go for a contrasting tight...and most definately...add some textured tights...have fun with the season!

if you have a favorite place to pick up some new & exciting tights...please share...

the closet with multiple personalities...

have you ever considered how many personalities you have hanging in your closet? many women today juggle motherhood...careers...community service...and social calendars like seasoned circus performers...

i went over to my girlfriends house last week to help her out a bit...she was telling me that she spent so much time "hanging out" in her closet...and felt there had to be an easier way to get through her day...her week consisted of working three days a week...where she was in business suits...to a soccer mom wearing casual jeans...to hostessing at a fund-raising cocktail party wearing black tie and dressy casual separates...

she had all the clothes she needed...for each individual occasion...the problem...was that she had all these clothes inter-mingled in her closet...yes...her closet was screaming multiple personalities...and in that...she would find herself desperately searching for what to wear...

if you find that you have many different styles of dress in your closet that you need to change in and out of on a daily basis...you should arrange your closet in a way that easily supports the many roles you play both inside and outside your home...this will help you get dressed more quickly and with less stress throughout the day...

so that is what we did...we emptied out her closet...and then divided it into sections...and each section was an occasion or activity for her busy lifestyle...

she later e-mailed me to say "why didn't we do this sooner? i feel so organized...and am spending more time doing what i love to do..."

picture what your life could be like without spending so much time staring into your closet trying to figure out what to wear and where to find items...use that picture to motivate you to find the time to organize your closet in a way that will support your lifestyle while putting you in more control of your time...

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fashion funnies: proper thanksgiving attire...

in honor of thanksgiving weekend & fashion funnies saturday...i bring to you...turkey attire...hope you are all enjoying your weekend...fabulous finds will be back on monday with more fashion posts...

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happy thanksgiving...

wishing you all a fabulous thanksgiving...
may you be surrounded by family & friends...and may you always have much for which to be thankful...

tailor made...

a few weeks back...i met up with a new client who wanted me to help her with her wardrobe...she was starting a new job...and was tired of her "old" look...as i perused through her closet...i quickly noticed that she had beautiful pieces to work with...all that was needed was a little nip and tuck in certain areas...as she started trying on the clothes...i quickly showed her how a longer skirt...shortened just a bit would make her look quite a bit taller...she had jackets that were a bit boxy...so i showed her how a little definition in the waist could change the whole look...we carted off a boat load of clothes to the tailor...

my client got her items back...and this time...she enjoyed the exercise of trying on her "new" old pieces...we quickly put together some fabulous outfits...all with items she had in her closet...the key...of course...was that now they fit her body perfectly...i have always said..."a good tailor is like a good pair of shoes...necessary, worth every penny, and capable of making you look ten pounds thinner..."

whether you're full figured or flat...your greatest ally in getting clothes to work for your body...is to find a great tailor...imagine the possibilities...you may have found an unbelievable wool coat buried in the twenty dollar rack...but chances are it needs a little nip and tuck...even so...it is still a bargain...you can also give new life to old clothes by having a tailor whip them up into a new cut...just like that...an outdated full-length skirt can be transformed into a stylish modern skirt...

you had me at hello: python wedge...

feast your eyes on these lovelies...python wedges by lanvin...you guessed it...they had me at hello...featured in marie claire november issue..."feel the earth move under python wedges..." uh...i'm up for that...

scanned by moi

inspiration from nina garcia...

thought i would share a little piece of nina garcia's book "the little black book of style"...love this description of what nina says that personal style is...

"it is truly unique when you see that one girl who is so different...the one who you just have to walk up to and ask her about her skirt...shirt...bag...etc...i don't see that girl nearly as often as i would like...be that girl...anyone can be "in fashion"...all one has to do is follow the herd and abide by the rules of the season...but style is personal...there is no herd to follow...there are no rules...there are no seasons...style comes from within...if there is anything absolute about style...it is that it holds you accountable to yourself at every moment...you have to be confident with who you are on the inside before you can ever fully be comfortable presenting yourself to the outside world...and how you present yourself to the world is important...it is inherently related to your sense of self...every time you dress you assert some aspect of yourself and your identity...with style...you tell the world who you are...or at least the story of who you would like to be on that particular day...style affords you opportunities...it opens doors and allows you the chance to showcase a facet of yourself in an obvious and inimitable way..."

well said nina...so let's go out there...and show the world who we are..

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fashion funnies: i love you all equally...

one of the birthday cards i received this week...and yes...i do love them all equally...



hope you are enjoying your weekend!

birthday surprise...

so one of the great things about being owner of "the savvy chic event" boutique...is that i get to see all the inventory when it first comes in...and one of the bad things about being owner of "the savvy chic event"...is that i get to see all the inventory when it first comes in...that being said...there is only so much i can dream about keeping for myself...i mean...the idea is to "sell" the items...not keep them for myself...

so for our first event...i have to say...we had an incredible shipment of jewelry...some alexis bittar...kenneth jay lane...just baubles extraordinaire...and i of course...was in heaven...trying everything on...imagining it with my wardrobe...blah blah blah...but there was one pair of earrings that really caught my eye...and i told myself...that if no one bought them...then i would know they were meant for me...

well the show ended...and they didn't sell...but i knew we would have some of this jewelry for our next event...so i decided to hold off in purchasing them for myself...adena (my business partner & fabulous friend) & i packed away the jewelry...still oohing over all the pieces...

meanwhile...during this whole time period...what do i spot in the november issue of lucky magazine? my earrings! well...mine in my head... =) now i really knew that i would need to be the proud owner of those gorgeous earrings...the caption in the spread was "vintage 20's-inspired glitz that channels a luxe, insanely feminine era"...uh...yeah...say no more...they are mine...can you guess which ones were mine from the scanned pic below?

scanned by moi
lucky magazine november 2010 issue

so...besides adena being my business partner & fabulous friend...we share the same birthday...yep...we do...so today we exchanged birthday gifts...one day early...and yes...when i opened up my little box...i squealed with delight...she told me that while we were packing...when i looked away...she grabbed them and stuck them in her pocket...sneaky little thing... =)

i think mine are much prettier then the ones in the lucky spread...those were in black...mine have a touch of my favorite color...green...aren't they divine?

kenneth jay lane "art deco drops" earrings

by the way...if you want to save me from myself...the next "savvy chic event" is coming up december 3 - 12 in the lovely san francisco bay area...i promise...there will be lots of treasures...lots of new designers...stay tuned for updates...

here is adena & i celebrating our same day birthday with our pomegranate martini's...which we have every year on our birthday...kind of like our tradition...although we have them for other occasions as well... =)

men's corner: how to tie a bow tie...

came across this lovely video on gq.com by the handsome swizz beatz...on how to tie a bow tie...personally...i think it is a great look...and i wish more men wore them...a bit eccentric...but a great way to show your personality...

are you game? if so...here is the lesson...



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leopard is the new plaid...

just what every cocktail party needs...fashionable cocktail napkins...had to share these cute ones that my friend adena got me a while back...she says she thought of me when she saw them...aww...which reminds me...i should do a post showing all my fabulous "fashionable" wine & martini glasses...wish i could have a party and invite you all to see them in person... =)

the classic pump...

i am all for buying those outrageous...impractical...bold shoes...believe me...my closet is proof of that...and most of the time...what i hear is..."i don't know how you can walk in those"...but...despite my love for the outragous...the impractical (in other's eyes) and the bold...i believe that every woman should own at least one black pair of a classic high heel pump...

i know some will look at the picture i've attached and focus on the heel height...it is not the heel height i am talking about..it could be 1", 2" or 4"...whatever your comfort level is...mine just happens to be "higher"...

while my outrageous shoes do get a lot of attention...i don't need much more additions to my wardrobe...for example...a bright red 4" heel shouldn't be competing with an outfit that has a lot going on...sometimes...all you need is a classic black pump...which will let the other pieces of your outfit speak...which sometimes...is just what you need from a shoe...

nothing to wear...

have you ever stood in front of a full closet and...without hesitation...thought..."i have nothing to wear!"? how is it that so many women can look so well put together every time you see them? and yet...there you stand...perplexed...in front of that "full" closet...

there truly are simple and practical strategies...tips and tricks...the key to dressing well and developing a personal style is surprisingly uncomplicated...

figure out what works best for you...and stick with it...having that confidence in your style feels great...believe me! and the pay-off is...when your clothes work...life's a lot simpler...

so how do you stock your closet with beautiful...flattering pieces you can just pull out...put on and go?

it begins with the basics...choosing cuts that flatter your figure...finding the right fit for all your clothes...and focusing your choices...allowing you to end up with a wardrobe that coordinates...flatters and fits...

and then...

adding creativity...allowing your clothes and accessories to express your personal style...no matter what the trends of that season are telling you to wear...

the result? a flattering look that's all your own...

need some help? ask a stylish friend that you admire...or find a wardrobe consultant in your area...

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put together: sexy 60's inspired suits...

you would think after all my years in corporate america...where i literally wore a suit every single week day...i would be prone not to be all mesmerised by suits...but...truth be told...i think a suit is one of the sexiest outfits a woman can wear...and these that were featured in the november issue of harpers bazaar do not disappoint...

my mom has always told me that i was born in the wrong era...because this is truly what i gravitate towards...the styles of the 50's & 60's...so sexy...so chic...so lady like...

absolutely j'adore this sexy number...
suit by nina ricci, shoes by giambattista valli & hermes bag

so playful...
suit by marni, sweater by eileen fisher, shoes by giambattista valli & bag by roger vivier

photos: scanned by moi...

fashion funnies: point & pay...the universal language...

"hagar the horrible" comic strip from a few weeks back...made me smile...after all...isn't that the universal language when it comes to shopping?

woman: why can't i go with you when you raid paris?

man: this is a business trip! you'd be on your own during the day...

woman: so what? i'm a grown woman!

man: but paris is a huge city...and you can't speak the language...

woman: i only know what i have to know! you point at what you want...and give the clerk your money!

hmmm...sounds about right to me! enjoy your weekend...

i confess: i am a shoe addict...

and i do not discriminate...i love the heels as much as i love all the ballet flats i've accumulated...but the thing is...i wear all my shoes...not at the same time of course...but throughout the years...all my shoes are worn...over and over...

i've often wondered when my obsession for shoes started...since i was a tomboy for most of my childhood...but one distinct memory i have of buying shoes was in high school...i worked as a sales girl in a surplus store...we sold camping equipment...those famous painters pants...converse tennis shoes...just a mish mash of stuff that had nothing to do with each other...and believe me...there was nothing "girlie" about the place...

one day though...the owner of the store blocked off a corner section and started bringing in designer shoes...we had shoes like impo & sbicca...(wow...i'm really dating myself now)...and the shoes ran about $50 to $75 a pair...which back then (haha)...it was a lot of money to spend on shoes...especially for a girl in high school...but the owner made a deal with us employees (2 other girls and myself)...for every 10 pairs of shoes we sold...we would get a pair of shoes for free...

well...you don't have to ask me twice...i'm sure my mom & dad thought i was doing something illegal on the side...because i was bringing home like 2 to 3 pairs of shoes each week...yes...i was on a roll...

this was where my love of sales started...(well selling something you are passionate about...makes all the difference) and my realization that one pair of shoes wouldn't do...although i really had more then one pair of shoes...

i always say...shoes can make or break an outfit...this is one area...one should never skimp on quality...why would you do that to the part of your body that carries you?

shoes are a lot like potato chips… you can never have just one...
~ stuart weitzman

i have to agree...

men's corner: dry cleaning the suits...

in speaking with one of my clients the other day...we got on the subject of dry cleaning...and the dollars that add up in that lovely exercise...he then told me that he takes his suits in (all of them) about every week in a half...no wonder he is feeling the pain of the dry cleaner bill...

the fact is that constant dry cleaning does wear on the fabrications of the suit...and decreases its lifespan...for that reason alone...i would say invest in a good steam cleaner...and get to steaming...maybe not the ideal answer...but works wonders on your investment...in both keeping the quality of your suit up to par...as well as some extra $$ in your bank account...

a fabric steamer does not replace your regular dry cleaning...but those in between times...it is the perfect solution for lingering smells (smoke etc)...wrinkles...but...if your suit is soiled...from profusely sweating...or you got some of the hamburger grease from lunch on it...then by all means...make a trip to the dry cleaner...a clothes brush is also a great tool to have at home...this helps in brushing away the light dirt and dust that may have planted itself on your suit...

and one last tip...when taking your suits to the dry cleaners...always take both the jacket and pants in...this will maintain the continuity of the dye in both pieces...the last thing you want is a mismatched suit...

in summary...get your suit cleaned only when it’s dirty...get your suit steamed when it’s wrinkled...

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the balancing act...

the length of your legs in relation to your torso, the width of your shoulders in relation to your hips...these things matter to your overall appearance...and...just like everything else...they can be manipulated...

are you short waisted (short torso, longer legs) or long-waisted (long torso, shorter legs)? to find out...measure the distance between your bottom rib and the top of your hipbone...if it's just a few inches...you are short-waisted...four or more inches...and you are long-waisted...

once you know...you want to wear a waistband that balances you out...if you are short-waisted...look for a lower waistline...and if you are long-waisted...look for a higher one...

voila...balancing act complete...

just say no to wire hangers...

the lovely dry cleaner wire hangers...do you have some? do they invade your closet? i have to say...when doing a closet audit...this is one of the first things i work on getting rid of...there are so many wonderful hangers that "help" make your closet work...why why why use these ugly things?

the first thing to look for in a hanger...is of course...sturdiness...and something that is a must...the swivel-top...if your closet is in pristine order...and why wouldn't it be? your clothes would all be facing the same way...why not save yourself some time...when hanging up your jacket, blouse, etc...you notice it is not facing the right way...just turn the swivel-top...seems like it wouldn't be a big deal...but it is...trust me!

now there are padded "girly" hangers...thick massive sturdy ones...but keep in mind that these take up precious space in your closet...and fills up the closet pretty quickly...believe me...eventually you will be replacing these...so start fresh from the beginning...

when shopping...ask to keep your items on the hanger...saves you some money in not having to keep replenishing them...and the lovely wire hangers? you know the ones that your dry cleaner supplies with your freshly pressed items...think green...and bring them back to the cleaners...so they may re-use them...or your local thrift stores would take them...they are always needing hangers...

it amazes me the hangers that have been invented to take up less space with more clothing...multiple skirts & pants on a single hanger...cascading down in perfect formation...something for your scarves...your belts...there truly is something for everyone...

so whether your closet is massive...or teeny tiny...take advantage of the space allotted to you...and make the most of it with space saving hangers...

hoop dreams...

roman women thread them with a single precious or semi-precious stone...pirates were known to wear just one....gypsies and fortune-tellers always seemed to display a set beneath their kerchiefs...

and now?

larger hoops go with the more casual look of summer and resort dressing...smaller hoops are more versatile...as easy at the office as they are at a party...the classics are done in gold or silver...either way...they are a great standby for day or evening...

and yes...hoops should be chosen in proportion to your face...and your neckline...want sexy? go for bigger & slimmer...want classic? go for smaller & chunkier...either way...hoops are an accessory staple...

the brooch...

i have a friend (nina...if you are reading this...i'm referring to you!) who has the most unbelievable brooch collection that i've ever seen...she had collected these years and years ago...and wore them quite a bit...talk about the easiest way to spruce up a sweater...

some still look at a brooch and think...grandma...but honestly...the brooch is capable of really jazzing up an outfit...i've seen them placed in up-do's...pinned on hats...jackets...sweaters...really...if you think about it...a brooch can be placed in many areas on a simple dress...pin it on the waist...or the strap...if you are wearing a turtleneck...pin it on your shoulder...for that unexpected pop of "wow"...do you have a clutch purse that needs a bit of something something? pin a brooch on it...how about that long strand of pearls in your jewelry box? wrap that around your neck a few times and clasp it together with a lovely brooch...

brooches can be found in so many places...go for those with color...or just full out rhinestone glitz...scour your vintage stores...thrift stores...garage sales...grandma's jewelry box... =) you can definately find new ones in department stores...but there is something about a good old vintage brooch...

do you wear brooches? if so...what clever way have you worn it?

fashion funnies: weather girl scandal...

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here is hoping your weekend is fabulous...

let it shine...

i still have a lot of people asking me if "bling" is appropriate for day wear...and my answer is always an astounding yes! of course...i do not recommend head to toe bling...but a little sparkle during the day never hurt anyone...right?

so i saw this page in town & country november issue...how appropriate...the caption reads..."let it shine...day or night, it's the right time to sparkle..." i couldn't have said it any better...

so pull our your sparkly items...wear them with your jeans...a sequined top with a traditional pant...just the right amount of personality...and those rhinestones? wear them...yes...even in the day-time...

so...do you tend to sparkle day or night?

scanned by moi
town & country november 2010 issue

you had me at hello: perfection in a coat...

along with my shoe obsession...handbag obsession...baubles obsession...i absolutely love a good coat...and this one...well it had me at hello...so simple...yet so elegant...just what i need want...

speaking of...how many coats do you own? i know it must seem odd that a california girl has more then one or two coats...but i do...from my vintage selections...to my leopard print...to my leathers...i have nothing remotely close to this beauty...should i splurge?

scanned by moi
instyle november 2010 issue
max azria coat

buttons...

think of them as shirt jewelry with the ability to transform the personality of your shirt...is it hanging in your closet right now? just think...a plain white button-down shirt...metamorphoses into a glorious dress shirt if you change the buttons from plain...to...well...how about antique rhinestones?

my last trip to new york was of course all about the project runway show...and the trip would not have been complete without a visit to mood...THE most amazing fabric store i've ever been in...don't even get me started on all the beautiful jacquard...but i digress...well...my girlfriend had been looking forever for new buttons for her leopard print coat...and with the wall of buttons extraordinaire at mood...she found not only one but two styles that she liked...bought them both...and her coat is now pretty spectacular...well...actually it was pretty spectacular before (i own the same coat) it's leopard after all...but the change of buttons gave it a new personality...

so...head to your closet...what aren't you wearing that might be changed up a bit...with just a minor tweak...changing buttons can bring new life to dresses...jackets...and sweaters as well...

lori goldstein...

...this woman inspires me...her words resonate with what i believe personal style is all about..."whatever you are - be true to that..." well said lori goldstein! i saw this video clip on stylelikeu.com - love her passion for details in fabrics...textures...and her unbelievable mixing of patterns...love!

Lori Goldstein from StyleLikeU.com from Stylelikeu on Vimeo.

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making the list...

as i'm always mentioning...it is important to "shop in your closet" - especially if you have a huge closet...packed with clothes...that you don't wear...what could be better then some free shopping? make it a habit to work in new outfits with your existing pieces...

another reason though...for shopping in your closet...is that by creating outfits with your existing wardrobe...you will notice the gaps...perhaps you need a good pair of dress pumps to help "step up" your suits...maybe you are discovering that although your suits are certainly wearable...none are making you truly happy and you'd like to update that part of your wardrobe completely...or maybe your favorite cream silk shell is starting to look too worn with your newer suits...if so...make a note on your shopping list to replace it...

maybe a cotton cardigan sweater you typically wear with a white t-shirt and jeans in the spring and summer can be winterized for the cooler months by wearing it with a turtleneck and some casual corduroy pants...as you assemble new outfits...note the missing pieces...

there is nothing like being in the privacy of your own home to test out new fashion concepts and see for yourself where your gaps are...so go ahead...play closet dress-up in your closet on a regular basis...especially when you'd like to shift wardrobe dollars to another area of your life...

when you are done shopping in your closet...you should have some new outfits to wear and a list of items to purchase...when you look over this list...keep your budget in mind...and set priorities if you don't have a lot to spend...this will allow you to clearly prioritize your shopping dollars later...

your primary goal when shopping in your closet is to make the most out of what you own...your secondary goal is to recognize what items to purchase to complete your wardrobe...