new addition to the fabulous finds consignment boutique...

well...the fabulous finds consignment boutique is fully stocked with wonderful women's fashions...accessories...we have the men's corner...and now...we are happy to announce the most recent department added...plus size!

we have busily been listing items...and there is much more that will be added in the next week...so...won't you take a peak and see what wonderful treasures we have?

and if you are looking for a consignment store...or know of someone who is...let us know...we would be happy to consign your items...and make them someone else's treasures...

fashion funnies: picking the tie...

have you ever asked a friend for help in picking out the outfit for a date? let's see how helpful garfield is...

man: garfield, help me choose a tie for my date tonite...

man: should i go with this bunny tie that says, "i'm cuddly..."

man: the golfer's tie that says, "i'm athletic..."

man: or the animal print that says, "i'm wild?"

garfield: how about this one?

garfield: the clip-on that screams, "i'm a dork!"

gotta love garfield...such the stright shooter...
enjoy your weekend!


(photo source: can't remember where i got this)

bold and bright...

nothing makes me happier than bright bold colors...imagine my delight when i skimmed through my vogue magazine february issue...bright bold pops of color...definately will be seen in the spring 2011 trends...such happy colors...are you on board?

the funny thing is this whole spread is about "spring's supercharged accessories..." as you can see...whether in a handbag...shoe...a case for your tech toys...or piece of clothing...the more vibrant...the better...

i think i'll pass on the blue hair... =)
























scanned by moi - vogue magazine february 2011

pulp fashion: the art of isabelle de borchgrave...

as if i wasn't already SO excited about the exhibit coming to the de young museum in march "balenciaga and spain"...today i heard of another exhibit...this one will be at the legion of honor..."pulp fashion: the art of isabelle de borchgrave" (february 5th thru june 5th) needless to say...i cannot wait...

here is a little snippet...doesn't it sound interesting?

Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave is a painter by training, but textile and costume are her muses. Working in collaboration with leading costume historians and young fashion designers, de Borchgrave crafts a world of splendor from the simplest rag paper. Painting and manipulating the paper, she forms trompe l’oeil masterpieces of elaborate dresses inspired by rich depictions in early European painting or by iconic costumes in museum collections around the world. The Legion of Honor is the first American museum to dedicate an entire exhibition to the work of Isabelle de Borchgrave, although her creations have been widely displayed in Europe.

Pulp Fashion draws on several themes and presents quintessential examples in the history of costume—from Renaissance finery of the Medici family and gowns worn by Elizabeth I and Marie-Antoinette to the creations of the grand couturiers Frederick Worth, Paul Poiret, Christian Dior, and Coco Chanel. Special attention is given to the creations and studio of Mariano Fortuny, the eccentric early-20th-century artist who is both a major source of inspiration to de Borchgrave and a kindred spirit.

photo source

shop smart...

whenever i talk to my mom...while she is at work...towards the end of the conversation...i will always say..."don't work too hard" to which my mom ALWAYS replies with "no, no...work smart" i think i say it more just to hear her say her response...such the dedicated employee she is...

which got me to thinking...when anything is done...when done "smart"...well...it alleviates the needing "to do over" scenario...and this same concept applies to shopping...shopping smart...

so...here are some tips to help you "shop smart"

- know what you need...seems simple enough...right? i say...always have a list...whether on paper...or just in your head...this helps you zero in on what you need...and in that...avoiding bad purchases...

- know yourself...truly be honest about what styles flatter your body type best and are appropriate for your age...and if you need help with that...get it! it makes a difference...believe me...and always...shop for the size you are now...

- mix and match...style today is often more about mixing and matching than "outfits"...try buying pieces that work together to solve the "what do i wear this with?" question...and take it one step further...buy a piece that you can think of wearing more ways than one...

- amortize the cost...is the $800 coat way too much or within reason? calculate the cost per wear and factor in how many seasons you might wear it...

- be sure about it...ask yourself..."do i love it? does it look great on me? will i wear it?" and don't buy it unless you get a very strong yes!

- buy classics...don't feel guilty about spending more for classic pieces such as wool trousers...pumps...or a leather handbag...they will last you a good long while...spend less on trendier items...

and to make it a really fun shopping experience...

- dress comfortable...wear clothes that are easy to get into and out of and shoes that slip on...when you've changed a few times in several dressing rooms...you will be thankful you did...

- feel good...don't shop when you're really hungry or really tired...or...when you have only a few hours to find something to wear to a party...

can you think of some "shop smart" tips that you live by? please share...

photo source

balenciaga and spain...

be still my beating heart...look what is coming to san francisco...at the de young museum...to be exact...starting march 26 thru july 4...you can bet i will be viewing this spectacular exhibit...and most likely...more than one time...

here is a snippet of the description:

Balenciaga and Spain examines the profound and enduring influence of Spain on the work of haute couture master Cristóbal Balenciaga. The impact of Spanish culture, history, and traditions is explored through the recurring themes in Balenciaga’s oeuvre and organized in the exhibition in six sections: Spanish Art, Regional Dress, The Spanish Court, Religious Life and Ceremony, the Bullfight, and Dance. Hamish Bowles, the European editor at large for Vogue will serve as guest curator. Objects are drawn from museum and private collections in France, Spain and the United States, including the FAMSF collection

photo source

learning...

did you miss me? did you think i disappeared? did you even notice i was gone? this past weekend i attended a three day aici conference...and because of that...i decided...to take a few days off from blogging...but boy do i have a lot of "stuff" to share with you in the upcoming weeks...

it was really great to see other wardrobe/image consultants...many of which have become great friends...and meeting some fabulous new friends...and as you can imagine...a conference full of fashion consultants...well it was a regular old fashion show...

i will be back to regular blogging tomorrow...

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fashion resolutions 2011...

i decided to go back and see last years post on fashion resolutions...and it looks like i kept mine...right to the shoe! or should that be plural? yes...definately plural on the shoes... =)

"as for me...my fashion resolution is to really think about each purchase...and buy only what i truly love...and really to work within my own closet...shop in my closet...and rework items i have currently in a new way...and continue to buy vintage...and shoes!"

this year...many didn't want to make resolutions...not quite sure why...for me...i've always seen it more as a goal or challenge...to try something that i've wanted to...and the "resolution" somehow gives me the push to get "it" started...

so here are the lovely submissions by my fabulous readers...not to late...if you would like to participate...just add your fashion resolution to the comments...we would all love to read them...really...

in no particular order...from both twitter, facebook and email...and if you are not following me yet...please do...would love to get to know you better...

tori - Im going to get dressed before noon and try to wear more grown up clothing. :)

rebecca - Buy quality not quanity! And try to stick to wearing my colours!

theresa - I got the job! Resolution is YOU shopping for my wardrobe!!

peter - Expand my tie collection with more color. Are you going to help me???

victoria - My New Year resolution is to pile it on. I am going to start wearing multiple necklaces and bracelets this year. I love the look and want to wear ALL the pieces I love instead of the same old few. I might even get more holes in my ears.

teri - I've lost enough to have to buy new jeans. I don't usually wear jeans but I do know. Lol. They look good with all my dusters. Yippy.

dana - I'm actually making a bunch. I want to try a lot of new styles, and I'm most excited for the resolution to stop worrying if everything makes me look fat. Hello, I know how to dress for my body!

charles - I'm finally going to let you invade my closet. Take out what YOU say doesn't work - and then we go shopping.

stacy - I'm going to replace my dingy white T's. It's TIME! Bleach can only do so much :)

crystal-marie - Get rid of clothes that do not fit. I've lost a lot of weight and am holding onto clothes that are too big.

lisa - What a great question! Mine is to update my pants wardrobe ;-)

mike - Get rid of those shoes you dispise!

too funny...i enjoyed reading these...and as always...i'm here to help...in any way i can...

my resolution is to REALLY clean out my closet...yes...even i get lazy...get rid of the items that i know i won't be wearing...continue with my resolution from last year...because...i tell you...when you buy what you truly love...not just what is "a good deal" or "it'll do"...it makes a huge difference in the morning...when you are getting ready...trust me! and...i could use a few more vintage pieces...and shoes...

jungle prints...

as i was perusing my closet the other morning...looking for a particular garment...i came across a leopard print blouse i had completely forgotten about...so...needless to say...i'm excited to wear it...soon...but it got me thinking...i seem to have many choices in leopard print...some blouses...a skirt...shoes...a belt...clutch purse...a coat...why only leopard print? when it comes to jungle prints...i think i need to expand my horizons...

animal motifs are truly classic...and easy to wear...and this season...they are still hot hot hot...so...a few questions for you...do you have a favorite animal print? and what is your favorite way to wear it?

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fashion funnies: starch of the penguins...

"stole" this comic from my friend brian on facebook...beware of those care labels...haha...

and have yourself a fabulous weekend...

fashion trivia: the ultimate diva move...

this month in 1559 elizabeth I is crowned queen of england and ushers in an age of elaborate...ornate fashion...her trademarks include long strands of pearls...jewel-encrusted gowns...countless wigs...starched ruffs and a plunging neckline that exposes her decolletage...she also pulls the ultimate fashion diva move...passing a law forbidding others to wear the same colors and styles as her...it's good to be queen!

source: workman publishing company

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s-t-y-l-e...

i don't know about you...but it seems incredible that we are into the year 2011! although i have yet to get the "resolutions" post together...i thought it might be more interesting to focus on key concepts i plan to keep in mind this year vis a vis style - maybe they'll resonate with you too...




STAY true to my individual style...add some SASS or SURPRISE to keep from being ordinary...SPRUCE up my wardrobe with thoughtful additions for this season that will either last as classics (> quality, more $$$ invested) or suffice only in the short-term (< quality OK, less $ spent.)



THIN out the items that no longer work for me...THINK more carefully about sale purchases - it's not a bargain if you can't instantly make at least 3 outfits from your existing wardrobe...experiment with TONALITY - combining complementary hues of camel or gray or blue or teal (or whatever color loves you) into a column of a single color...very sophisticated and sleek!



Think YOUTHFUL, not YOUNG (unless of course, you are young), when it comes to staying current...make the current trends YOURS by adapting them to what is appropriate for your age and style...for example, leggings can look great on those of us who are 40+ - just make sure the sweater or skirt you layer on top ends closer to the knee than mid-thigh...



LAYER short-sleeved tees over long-sleeved....or tanks over blouses...or cropped sweaters over long sweaters...it's a fun, casual look that can work for virtually all ages. (plus, given our colder-than-normal temps these day, it's almost a necessity!) LIGHTEN up that handbag...it's amazing how the pounds and the clutter add up...our backs and shoulders just don't need it, and really, how many lipsticks and glosses do we really need to tote around!



EVOLVE...be willing to EMBRACE new ideas, whether it's a fresh new look at make-up or hairstyle or heel height or color or ??? don't be afraid to EXPERIMENT a little. if you want a friendly, non-partial eye to help you out, that's my business...i'm EXCITED to help your EXTERIOR be your most EXCELLENT EXPRESSION of your inner ESSENCE (okay, i got a little carried away there, but it's the last letter and it was fun!)

(excerpt from fabulous finds january newsletter)

rare bird of fashion...

so...i arrived home today to a little package on my doorstep...from a dear dear friend...imagine my complete delight when i opened said package to see "rare bird of fashion - the irreverent iris apfel" les sigh...first of all...i j'adore everything about iris apfel...and the fact that i didn't have this beautiful coffee table book in my ever growing stash of designer/fashion books...well...there just wasn't an explanation...i've already thumbed through the book...oh the pictures...the colors...the drama...the fabulousness of it all...

i'm sure that i will be reading this from front cover to back tonite...more then once...slight obsession? perhaps...but it's all about iris apfel... =)

here are a few pics from the book...aren't they amazing?

the fabulous stacy lomman...

one of the things that surprised me about social media...was the connections...and much more than that...the friendships that have been formed...some of these wonderful people i have had the opportunity to meet face to face...and some...although we've never met face to face...i feel like we've been friends forever...kind of strange...no? but in fact...tis true...

one of these extraordinary people that social media gave me the fabulous honor of knowing...is stacy lomman...we ALMOST met face to face...the last time i was in new york...but...it ended up being a week before her FIRST collection being shown at fashion week...i would say...she was a wee bit busy...and NO time for socializing...

which brings me to this post...one thing (among many) that i so admire about stacy...is that she is following her dream...her designer's dream...(btw...i highly recommend clicking on that link you just passed...and read her story...and see pics of the first collection...) now where was i...oh yes...and...she is a woman after my own heart...in that...she isn't letting obstacles get in the way of her dream...

so what type of obstacles would a new designer have? people...there is SO much that goes into a collection...let alone the runway...you've got to think about fabrics...oh and photographers...models...the list goes on and on and on...but that didn't stop stacy...she looked into kickstarter...a way for people to fund projects...and it worked...her spring 2010 collection was shown at fashion week last year...and now here she is...ready to plunge into the 2nd collection...of many many more to come...this one...the fall 2011 collection...YOU can be a part of...and who wouldn't want to help bring beautiful clothing into the world? what is great about it...is it could be any amount...because any amount truly does help...so...if you are able...let's help launch stacy lomman : new york fall 2011...click on the kickstarter link above...and forward to your fashion lovin friends...

my absolute favorite from the spring 2010 line
photo credit: randy brooke

baby...it's cold outside...

and "the savvy chic boutique" is going to feature coats & sweaters this coming weekend...and the best part?? all at 50% off...so come in out of the cold...and grab yourself a new coat...sweater...or two...or three...lots of styles...lots of designers...and lots of color...oh...and did i mention all at 50% off?

so grab a friend or two...and come on by...and pick up some deals on some fabulous "one of a kind" pieces...

featured items...
mara khodara from new york (european designs)
imma cashmere
designer's corner
hallet sweater art

and so much more! hope to see you!

Three Days Only

Thursday, January 13
Noon - 5 pm

Friday, January 14
Noon - 5 pm

Saturday, January 15
11 am - 4 pm

319 Primrose Rd (upstairs)
Burlingame, Ca

fashion funnies: what goes around...comes around...

photo source

anabella maria: (as they look at a portrait on the wall) "only to think, julia dear, that our mothers wore such ridiculous fashions as these!"

both: "ha! ha! ha! ha!"

may your weekend be fabulous!"

be still my heart...

have you heard? instyle magazine...to celebrate the new year & their launch of stylefind.com...is giving away...not one...not two...but 52 pairs of designer shoes from saks fifth avenue...worth over $20,000...les sigh...

i'm thinking i should keep this to myself...but i had to share...maybe if you win...you will let me have a pair? haha...just kidding...well...maybe a little...but go ahead...what have you got to lose? shoes are shoes...and i know that i can always use some new pairs to add to my collection...all you have to do is click on the link above...and sign up...easy...

good luck!

but i got it on sale...

don't get me wrong...there is absolutely nothing wrong with getting something on sale...in fact...if you can get a good price on an item...more power to yah! and...especially this time of year...a great time to be out shopping for those pieces that are missing in your closet...for example...need to stock up on some cashmere sweaters? get thee to the store...soon! prices are being slashed everywhere...

but...

when i've been in the middle of helping a client with their closet...and we pull out that one...sometimes two, three or more pieces...that are hanging in the closet...most times with the big red sales tag hanging off of it...and i hear that lovely phrase come out of my clients mouth..."but i got it on sale"...les sigh...

and??

simple math 101 tells me that...if you bought something at 70 percent off and you never end up wearing it...you're not actually saving money...you're wasting it...so please...don't let the big red sales signs lure you into buying something that you know full well...does not go with anything else in your closet...is not anything close to what you would be able to wear to...____________(fill in the blank with your lifestyle)

because then...when you are out shopping...and you find that piece that is SO you...without hesitation...you will be able to buy it...and know that you saved lots of $$...especially when you take the fashion accounting approach...which works on full retail price or sale...

how many ways can you tie a scarf?

i came across this pic from a blog that was posted on twitter...you can click below the pic to get there...i think what amazed me first was the fact that this was from a 1960's sears roebuck catalog...many of these styles are worn today...don't you think?

i have gotten much better at utilizing my scarf collection...especially when working with an outfit that might lack a certain something something...a scarf is the easiest way to add a little pizazz...if you know what i mean...for my clients that are afraid of color...it is a great way of introducing color into a wardrobe...texture and/or print...and it is done in baby steps...

do you have a creative way that you wear your scarves? please share!

photo source

you had me at hello: purple explosion...

this lovely burst of purple took my breath away...spotted in the january issue of town & country...seriously...can you just imagine how this number would make any bland outfit stand out? the minute i turned the page and feasted my eyes on it...well...it had me at hello...

this 18k gold and lapis necklace by irene neuwirth...which could be found at barneys new york...is only $12,840...a little out of my budget...oh...who am i kidding? it is ALOT out of my budget...but a girl can dream...no? or find something that looks kind of like it...for a lot less...

i am officially on the look out!

scanned by moi

bewitched...

two important elements in dressing...fit & personal style...you really can't do one without the other...you can know your personal style...and buy clothes that don't fit...and the end result is not right...in the same way...you can buy clothes that fit...that have nothing to do with your personal style...and you look...well...you don't look like you...

beware the seduction of new clothes...all clothes are appealing when they do not belong to you...it is the possiblity of something new that could turn you into a new person that is so seductive...not the garment itself...

similarly...being surrounded by brightly colored or a particular style of clothes may make your classic black outfit seem instantly drab...and even unfashionable...rather than immediately buying that pair of hot pink hipsters...walk out onto the street...or into a store with plenty of black in it...and see if you still feel dowdy...

my point is...shop in stores that are your style...i have nothing against hot pink hipsters...but if your personal style is "classic"...shop in a store that carries elegant classic pieces...not in a store that tempts you with the promise of re-inventing yourself...be strong...

and another thing...don't be fooled into buying that piece that everyone is going to be wearing...quoted by some sales girl...just because everyone else is buying that must-have item...you don't have to...sales assistants will tell you it has been flying out the door...that they only have one left in your size...blah blah blah...don't believe them...

that said...if you find a truly superb outfit...that fits you like a glove...is a little expensive but not absurdly so...buy it!

photo source

fashion funnies: what to wear...

happy 1.1.11 fabulous readers! although most of you are most likely already "partied" out...had to share this lovely comic strip by the ever funny life of "cathy"

the holiday party gown: slinky, shimmery, sequined red satin slip dress...

the holiday party shoe: jewel-studded, ankle strapped, open-toed stiletto...

the holiday party wrap: faux fur-trimmed, crushed velvet, beaded shawl...

the holiday party invitation: dress: casual...



this lovely comic strip came from jody over at couture allure vintage fashion...be sure to check out her website...fabulous vintage...always...

happy new year!