becoming the mix master...

women are complicated creatures...don't you think? i love the mystery that is...women...and in that...i think that how we dress should embrace our mystery and represent all of our personalities...gone are the days where matching outfits was pretty much the rule...

now of course...for the more daring...i say a true mix master works with different patterns...colors...etc...but even if that is too much for you...i feel you should embrace and learn to be a good mix master...

so what do i mean by that?

i cannot tell you how many clients will say during a wardrobe purge..."i have a jacket that goes with those pants..."or..."i have shoes that go with that dress..." when you think only in terms of matching outfits...you are limiting yourself...it's no wonder you are bored with your wardrobe...

take for example the pic below...same dress...worn three different ways...who would think that you are wearing the same dress? if you want to make a wardrobe more then just a wardrobe...and want to have a "solid" wardrobe...try to get into the habit of...when purchasing an item...think of a possible two or three ways you could incorporate it into your wardrobe...

may sound stressful for some...but it can become quite a fun game...get your girlfriend that you are shopping with involved...my girlfriend & i do this all the time while shopping...what is fun is when your girlfriend thinks of an item in your closet that you forgot about...and now...a whole new outfit has come about...

photo sourc

fashion funnies: to be six again...

it is saturday! which means fashion funnies! this was sent to me from my girlfriend...who received it from her brother...i have to say...my heart went out to the hubby...he tried so hard...

enjoy your weekend!!

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching his wife, who was looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to have for her birthday.

'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park. What a day! He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Roller Coaster, everything there was.

Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted.

He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again?'

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed.

'I meant my dress size, you retard!!!!'

The moral of the story: Even when a man is listening, he is gonna get it wrong.


photo source

stylish and fabulous at 98...

i came across this article a few days back in the huffington post...posted it to my facebook page...hope you are following me there... =) thought i should post it here as well...i mean...everyone should know about the fabulous rose...

this was written by ari cohen, creator of advanced style...this is rose...what an inspiration...she is 98...and seriously...can anyone look more fabulous?

she gives her 10 styling tips...my favorites are:

Take care of your feet and wear good shoes, but when you are going out for a night on the town, "Fashion comes before comfort." At 98, Rose goes out every single night!

every nite? she's got a better social life then i do!! you go girl!

Belts and Beads. Rose believes that a belt or unique strand of beads can really make an outfit, and they don't have to cost a fortune.

i couldn't have said it any better...

Be Unique: "If Everyone is wearing it, then its not for me."

amen rose!

i highly recommend clicking on the huffington post link above to see the full article...her tips are right on...

i hope i'm that put together when (and if) i reach that age...

photo credit: ari cohen, advanced style - huffington post

you had me at hello: burberry bliss...

as i was flipping through the vogue february issue...i came across this lovely leather jacket...one can never have enough leather jackets...so many colors to choose from...this caught my attention...mostly because of the detail...my prerequisites on most of my purchases...does it have texture? look at those sleeves! does it have detail? why yes...so much so...that this beautiful leather jacket by burberry prorsum had me at hello from the first second i laid eyes on it...don't you just love how it's paired with a lovely bold silk dress? such a great combination of hard & soft...

scanned by moi

my shoe review...

as i have been diligently cleaning out my closet...well...not only my closet...my whole house...i have been thinking of creative ways to store my things...the things that won't be purged...such as my lovely shoes...being that i continually wear them...year after year...it is one area in my life...that i will never claim...i have too much of...no no never...

but with the constant accumulation of new shoes...my dream for a shoe closet would look something like this...be still my heart...

photo source

but then reality sets in...and i am brought back to the real world...the world that does not have that kind of space...a girl can dream though...right? and whether i have the space or not...i do look at my lovely array of shoes as works of art...as most of them are pretty unique (i don't go for the standard black pump...no no...)so shouldn't they be displayed as such?

everyone can agree that tossing shoes into the bottom of the closet doesn't work...right? you lose track of what you have and when you do manage to fish out a matching pair...the once magnificent duo is misshapen...creased...scuffed...how could one do that to a beautiful pair of shoes?

there are some who keep their shoes in the cardboard boxes they arrived in...sometimes with a lovely pic on the side of the box to quickly identify its contents...this does not work for me...as all i get in stacking the boxes (although they are nicely protected) is a toppling of the box when i go shuffling around for that long lost pair of wedges...

so i have assessed my closet...and there is one wall that is completely bare...and i'm thinking...built-in or freestanding shoe cubicles or racks...my shoes will be segregrated from each other...their shape will be protected...and they will be easily identified...and none will be forgotten...

or maybe...i should just display them on racks in my bedroom...as the true works of art that they are...too much?

how are your shoes displayed?

what size am i anyway?

it should go without saying that you need to be honest and realistic when you are assessing your wardrobe...when you stand in front of your closet...are you being invaded by an army of sizes that haven't fit for a year or more? simply...let go...

a great outfit is a great outfit no matter what the size tag reads...the key is...of course...how well it fits...size is a state of mind...i have friends and clients who are a size 2 and feel fat...and i have friends and clients who are a size 14 and feel fabulous...what does that tell us?

so...as spring is slowly approaching...the time when most think about "spring cleaning"...if your wardrobe reflects clothing sizes that haven't fit you for more than one year...please get rid of them...whether they are the clothes you used to wear before you lost weight...or clothes that you are holding on to...because you hope to one day fit into them again...saving your wrong-sized clothes for when you shrink to your desired weight only confuses your actual wardrobe...think about it...if you do drop the pounds and reach your goal...all you're going to want to do is celebrate the brand new you and go shopping!

if you simply can't let go...for whatever reason...at least do yourself a favor...and remove items that do not fit from your closet...and store them somewhere else...believe me...getting dressed in the morning will seem a whole lot simpler...

fashion funnies: decisions, decisions...

hopefully...no one needs to be put in such a predicament...

this lovelie...came from a fellow image consultant laura rubeli based in las vegas, nevada...feel free to follow her on facebook...



enjoy your weekend!

pops of color...

as i was diligently cleaning out my office yesterday...i started flipping through last year's march 2010 issue of harper's bazaar...what? don't you get distracted when cleaning? came across this wonderful spread that just screams color...which always puts a smile on my face...kind of went along with my post from yesterday...aren't these colors divine?











all photos scanned by moi...

adding pops of color...

color is showing up on the runways...in the stores...such a big part of the trends this coming season...so the question is..."how do you get more confident adding pops of color to your wardrobe?"

for those of us with "abundant black disorder" it may be daunting to think of adding color into our wardrobes...but there are easy ways for the color-shy to begin incorporating a few brighter elements...

first...just try adding your favorite color in an accessory - like a handbag or shoes or maybe a scarf...maybe you will add a blouse or other underpinning in a color that complements your complexion...

if you're feeling bolder with color combos...try combining colors on the opposite sides of the color wheel, i.e. violet and yellow...blue and orange...remember...with so many shades of one color..start small...for example...violet with bright yellow may seem daunting...but look at a pale version of yellow...and a color scheme within the purple family...

on a scale of 1 to 10...how comfortable do you feel wearing color? are you at the..."i can add it in a scarf...perhaps"...or are you at the full on..."give me two bold colors to put together"?

my style, my way...

...is here!

i'm so happy to be able to tell you about adena's (my business partner & friend) new book! yes...she's a co-author in a new book on style that has just come out...

along with 19 other women stylists...they've put together a book that covers many areas of interest: dressing for your shape, enhancing your image with color, make-up and hairstyles, and many more subjects, including her chapter on 'the savvy traveler'...

what is even more cool is that the book received an endorsement from joan lunden!

"It is more important today than ever before to establish your own personal brand. As a busy entrepreneur, I've learned that your attitude and your presentation matter in most every situation. My Style My Way is packed full of great ideas and is a must-read for anyone who wants to give themselves a clear advantage in all life's situations"

the book retails at $24...but for my fabulous readers...adena is happy to offer it for $20...and...if you order three or more copies...shipping is free...i think you'll really enjoy it - maybe your friends would as well...

if you are interested...drop me an email...and i will get the order started...

quotes in red...

in honor of valentines day...i thought i would post quotes and/or fashion tidbits in regards to red...or pink...two of my favorite colors...

when in doubt, wear red..." ~ bill blass

christian louboutin painted his first red sole with nail polish in 1992...

"beauty to me is about being comfortable in your own skin...that, or a kick-a** red lipstick!" ~ gwyneth paltrow

know of any that i missed? please share in the comments...
and have yourself a fabulous valentine's day...



photo source

fashion funnies: varying opinions...

beauty is in the eye of the beholder? something to be said about confidence...

enjoy your weekend!

photo source

love affair with shoes...

to say i love shoes...well...to be perfectly blunt...would be an understatement...like the beautiful ones listed below...can you stand it? and in red! be still my beating heart...

my beautiful & fabulous friend dominique got a little segment on the today show...to talk about...what else? shoes...i think she loves shoes as much as i do...be sure to check out her blog...she actually has shoe give-aways...i know...crazy! you can find her at princess dominique - the epitome of all things beautiful...

and be sure to check out the video below...see dominique chatting about shoes...and her "extra" bedroom for just her shoes...yep...i'm not kidding...

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

lady peep patent leather platform pumps
christian louboutin
saks fifth ave

men's corner: fill the pocket...

standing in line today at starbucks...i was admiring the wardrobe of a fairly young man...in a suit...with no tie...and a colorful pocket square peaking out...les sigh...so so dapper was he...had it not been so busy...i would have taken a pic of him...but...alas...you will just have to take my word for it...

as i've mentioned before...for men...there are not as many options to really go wild with color...you can add color to socks...ties...shirts...but one area that is often over-looked...is with the pocket square...especially if you are afraid of too much color...a snippet of it peaking out of your pocket...shows color...without being overwhelming...

and...you don't have to wear the tie...i think many think the pocket square finishes the look of a traditional suit...i say...live outside the box...do you have a pocket on a vest? try a pocket square and wear your vest over a t-shirt...the scenarios are limitless...but have some fun...add color...texture...and print...show a little of your personality through your pocket square...

photo source

belt it...

belts are a good and relatively inexpensive way to add new chic to classic...simple designs..and to rejuvenate the old timers in your wardrobe...the main rule of thumb here is that any belt that is prominently displayed must be of excellent quality...no matter what material it is made from...true to the same rule of quality vs quantity...you are much better off with fewer belts...all of quality...than mediocrity in quantity...

take for example a moderately priced shirtwaist dress...they usually come with a self-tie belt...that in my opinion...tends to down-grade an entire look immediately...this is the perfect place for a winning belt substitute...it can turn a dress from chintzy to classy...

want to spruce up an old coat? add a fabulous big belt...create a brand new look...

keep in mind...the width of the belts you choose depends mainly on your figure...tall...thin women can easily wear almost any width belt...but short women would do best to avoid wide belts...generally...the smaller you are...the narrower the belt should be...

whether you choose belts in varying shades of the neutrals that form your foundation wardrobe...experiment with contrasting colors as well...and as always...have fun with it...it is fashion...after all...and fashion...should be fun...

photo source

dressing well...

...takes a little practice...just like anything you want to excel in...self discipline with dressing to look your best is a learned behavior...keep practicing...and it will become a habit...

but more than practice...it takes a real awareness...chances are you already know more than you think...during my many years in the fashion consulting business...clients and friends have come to me for advice and help in putting together their wardrobes...the conversations usually begin with comments like..."i have absolutely no fashion sense...i have no idea what looks good on me...i'm not even sure what i like anymore...help!"

when we do meet...it always turns out that they are much better informed than they think they are...they just haven't allowed themselves to tune their knowledge in...they recognize easily enough when someone else is well dressed and can almost always point out the quality specifics...they can look through fashion magazines and quickly distinguish the tastful from the tacky...but when it comes to themselves they seem to lose all objectivity...their innate fashion sense goes down the drain...they clench up...decisions become agonizing...instead of letting themselves go and trusting their instincts...they start to worry..."is this in fashion?" "will my husband like it?" "will this create the right impression?" and so on till they totally intimidate themselves and fashion becomes a complete enigma...

most of these concerns are assuredly valid...you do want to make a good impression...you want to look up-to-date...and...of course...you want to be well dressed...what you do not want to do is overthink yourself into a state of paralysis...

fashion should be fun...not a burden...and if you truly need help with it...seek out a wardrobe consultant that can help ease you through it...

photo source

quality vs quantity...

in my book...quality will always win...especially when it comes to my clothing...and more importantly...my wardrobe budget...

the first step...is the recognition of quality...whether you are someone with unlimited funds or a hard-working woman struggling to make ends meet...you won't look monied without an awareness and appreciation of quality...and i realize as i write this...it may not be your objective to look monied...but...your objective is to have your money be worth the purchase in the long wrong...and nothing satifies this criteria more then spending your hard earned money on quality pieces...

no matter the price tag or label of a garment...you have to be well equipped with your own personal built-in quality detector to guarantee that you will get your money's worth and that you will recognize a genuine bargain when you see one...

quality is a condition of excellence...in regard to fashion it means the highest standard of design...fabric...and workmanship...unfortunately...quality...in all aspects of life...is developed and marketed to appeal more to the taste of the middling mass than to the taste of the most discerning...and that...to put it simply...makes for a lot of junk out there...

so...to choose quality...over quantity...our taste level has to rise above the masses...we have to train our senses to recognize quality and to be more discerning...whether old or new...quality always looks rich...

so if the comparison is apples to oranges...where does your wardrobe stack up? quality or quantity?

photo source

fashion funnies: cathy & bathing suit shopping...

clipped this one late last summer from the san francisco chronicle...cathy cathy cathy...in her shopping quest for the perfect bathing suit...

cathy: i have the size 6 string bikini on and it's still a little baggy!

cathy: now i have on the size 4 bandeau top with sparkly thong bottom!

cathy: now i have on the size 2 plunging neckline, waist-high leg hole tank!

cathy: ha, ha! they all just hang on me this year!

sales woman: let me see! let me see!

sales woman: did you try the suits on anything except your wrists?

cathy: don't be ridiculous!



enjoy your weekend!

11 in '11...

who is ready for spring? i for one...am...and have been...for quite some time...even more so...with this beautiful weather we have been hit with in the san francisco bay area...(sorry east coasters)

thought i would list 11 new spring trends in 2011...an excerpt from my february newsletter...enjoy!

11 in '11...

i don't know about you...but i love all the 'play' that happened early in the year with 1-1-11...so we'll just keep it going with the top 11 spring trends in '11:

1. structural suiting - the menswear suits that gained popularity last fall/winter are still with us...and now with a more fitted silhouette...

2. brights as accents - almost anything can benefit from a pop of color...

3. ladylike handbags - a la jackie o...

kate spade
photo source: nordstrom

4. statement necklaces & scarves - with mixed metals, studs, fringes, feathers - think texture...

5. techno fabrics - again with a metallic edge and texture...

6. belting - a statement belt or layered belts - all shapes and sizes are still 'in'...

7. wide-leg trousers - while your slim-leg trousers are still appropo...now the wide-leg pant is having a resurgence...70's style...

8. longer skirts - but just wearing any old long skirt won't cut it or you'll look frumpy...these skirts need to have lots of styling...

a skirt becomes 'frumpified' when it's not the right length (in this case, too long) or is worn with the wrong shoes...

voila!
photo source: bloomindales

9. animal print - surprise, surprise! yes...it's still around...and i think we can safely say it's not going anywhere for the forseeable future...i've said it before but it bears repeating...animal prints are a great neutral...they work with almost any color...

10. nude fishnets - what a great way to provide some leg camouflage when you don't want bare legs...

11. color of the year - honeysuckle pink...or whatever pink suits your complexion...if you aren't a 'pink' person...think of adding it as an accent item...

so which trend are you excited about trying? please share...

you had me at hello: the wider the better...

one of the big spring trends is wide leg pants...i have always loved them...which is why they are featured in my "you had me at hello" series...because...everytime i see a pic with a great pair of wide leg pants...it stops me dead in my tracks...and even better with a little striped top...such a great look...don't you agree?

scanned by moi
town & country february issue
silk-knit sweater & wool-gabardine trouser by jason wu

reasons you might want to stop by...

...the savvy chic boutique in burlingame...that is...if you are in the burlingame bay area...the savvy chic boutique is ramping up for a three day sample sale extravaganza...and have we got some treats for you...and the best part? 50% off on almost everything in the boutique...this is the time to get yourself in the boutique...and while you are at it...grab a friend or two...they will love yah for it...

so to entice you just a little bit...

new in boutique...in no particular order...

unique leggings...


fabulous vintage fusion statement rings...



or earrings...



something to keep your feet warm...in your choice of zebra...



or leopard...



handbags...lots and lots of handbags...



still not enough?

how about mara khodara designs - beautiful european fabric in jackets...dresses...skirts...tops & pants...

looking for jeans? we've got lucky brand...kut...dl1961...silver...

michael stars...three dots...and.so.much.more...

oh...and did i mention almost all of it is at 50% off?

come on in...where?

319 primrose rd (upstairs)
burlingame, ca

thursday february 3
noon to 7 pm

friday february 4
noon to 5:30

saturday february 5
10am to 4:00

if you'd like...follow us on facebook for updates...or our website...