queen elizabeth and name that president...

my friend adena sent me this email a while back...i remember her & i going through the pics...and naming all the presidents...can you? the email states: "if you remember all or most of these presidents...you're no spring chicken" hmmm...

gotta love watching the styles of the queen through the years...and you have to admire a woman who stands strong...

happy memorial day...

wishing you a fabulous memorial day...
this is a day (should be every day) that we need to stop, thank & pray for all the men and women that serve so that we can enjoy our freedom...thank you to all that have served and all that gave the ultimate sacrifice...
we salute you...

photo source

fashion funnies: menswear inspired...

poor guys...they obviously don't have the equivalent of what we women have...found this lovely comic in last weeks sf chronicle...

(1st frame)
guy #1: see? girls can wear anything - even guy stuff - and no one thinks it's weird

guy #2: that's right knute

(2nd frame)
guy #2: but it only works when they do it

guy #1: (wearing dress) howzit goin'? i'm into equality

couple walking by: ewww, stay away freak



wishing you all a safe and happy memorial weekend...

escada love...

after running several errands this morning...i drove back home...and as i entered my driveway...my heart skipped a beat...well...several...because there on my porch was a package...and i knew...that it was from shrimpton couture...les sigh...

it has been quite a while since i've made any purchases...let alone a vintage piece...and...when it comes to vintage...i gravitate to the 40's, 50's & 60's...but then i saw this number from the 80's...and well...i just had to have it...

i was SO nervous to open up my package...don't ask me why...i think it might have been more excitement of something new...well...something new to me...but vintage...well...when i pulled it out of the box...i gasped...the picture does not do it justice...and the adorable pom poms? how fabulous! i seriously want to wear this now...but...i think it will have to wait for the right moment...

men's corner: what is "put together"?

seems that there has been a lot of talk about casual wear and casual friday...in the news lately...and in my own conversations...so...really...who defines what "put together" should look like for a nice casual day at work...or to the clubhouse...or...while traveling?

the thing is...when someone doesn't know you...hasn't met you...the first impression is mostly based on what you are wearing...and whether you think that is shallow...or that you "just don't care"...is entirely up to you...but...i can clearly give examples of people being treated differently by the way they were dressed...

want an upgrade at the airport? dress up!
looking for that promotion at work? dress up!
want to be noticed? dress up!

"dress-up" does not mean you have to be wearing a three piece suit...as in this beautiful pic i saw in the june issue of gq magazine...tell me this man does not look sharp...and how easy can this be? if you look at the pieces separately...this is really not a hard look to pull off...but it looks SO put together...

so...step it up...you will be surprised how great YOU will feel (which is most important) and...how those around you will take notice...really!

scanned by moi

following the trends just because...

so...are you wondering what the golden gate bridge has to do with my post? really...there is a connection... =)

today's fashion cycles are getting shorter and shorter...faster and faster...within every price range...there are more choices...more fads...and trends...that will come and go long before you can even redeem those membership reward points...women who get carried away by the constant "newness" in stores usually resort to bingeing...with little regard for what looks good on their bodies...or what styles go with the other pieces in their closets...

so what am i trying to say? don't be moved by such fashion distractions...don't let sales clerks dupe you into a garment that doesn't suit your taste...and more importantly...your figure...this means...you need to be crtain of what works on your body...you need to know what styles look terrific on you...and what type of pieces will show off those features whenever possible...by being brutally honest about what really works on your figure (remember...salespeople often work on commission)...you'll reflexively reject flash-in-the-pan fashion...

at any age...you'll want to acknowledge a fun or important seasonal look...just don't immerse yourself in the trend...seeing entire rafts of young and not-so-young women falling over themselves to catch the next trend...pink everything...cargo pants...bare midriffs...is just...well...too much...

instead...pick one or two current pieces that make sense within the context of what you already own...any faddish items you choose to own should pass a crucial price tag test...six-hundred dollar beaded flip-flops and two-thousand dollar floral bags may look swell...but such indulgences are likely to stay on your credit card bill far longer than they linger in the magazines...go for a less expensive non-designer rendition instead...spending the real money on items such as coats...dresses...jackets...or other pices that can be pressed into service every day...and are less likely to turn heads as "last year's" look...

so...the beautiful golden gate bridge...one of the the most beautiful sites to behold in our lovely city...when i was younger...and i was coveting something...there was always something...right? the words that would come out of my mouth...to my mamacita...would be..."but so-and so has it"...(believe me...my negotiating & debate skills are much better now)...to which she would "always"...yes always...reply..."if so-and-so jumped off the bridge...would you follow them?"

now...seriously...mamacita...of course not...but i have to laugh...because...it was really through that...that i started on my journey of becoming...and being my unique self...and not wearing what "so-and-so was wearing" but creating something that was "my own"...

window display: for the men...

spent a long weekend in monterey/carmel this last weekend...got my fill of beautiful window displays...especially on the lovely ocean avenue in carmel...even got these two shots for the men...

i'm sure it is obvious why this caught my eye...hmmm...was it the vibrant colors? was it the mixing of patterns? or...was it the lovely mix of those two components...now believe me...i know that this is not a look that most men would gravitate to...but...for those brave enough...i salute you...

fashion funnies: girls nite out for maxine...

my girlfriend posted this on facebook this last week...and now i'm thinking...how appropriate...since my blog post yesterday was about a new summer trend...going bra-less...and...i'm heading out for a girls weekend in monterey/carmel...

whatever you are doing...have a fabulous weekend...but please...don't forget your bra...

new summer trend...going bra-less

as i've always said...not every trend is for every person...but...could there be a trend that is not for any person?

going bra-less is a tough call...i believe...in my humble opinion that there are very few women that can really pull this off...and it still look...well...presentable...

i would love to hear your thoughts on this one...as an article in the new york times surfaced...with the title..."new summer trend...going bra-less..."

photo source: getty images

you had me at hello: chain links and all...

it is funny how your own personal style changes over time...partly in tune with the trends...and partly from...well...just your new dislikes...or likes...at one time...my jewelry was very tiny...understated...and when i look at some of those jewels...that i still have in my jewelry cases...i just don't see myself wearing them...then or now...although i know i did...at one time...

i am always looking for unique one of a kind pieces...and even more so...when the materials don't seem like they would go together...but in reality...they go perfectly together...which was the case when i saw this beauty of a necklace in the june issue of instyle...you had me at hello...chain links and all...

fenton necklace
calvin klein collection dress (fabulous)
scanned by moi...

san francisco's sense of style...

on sunday as i was perusing the san francisco chronicle..."native son by carl nolte" caught my attention...the title of the article was "a dressing down for not dressing up"

here are the opening remarks...click on the link above to see the whole article...

I see by the papers that Danielle Steel, the eminent author, has left San Francisco - and with a parting shot.

"San Francisco is a great city to raise children," she said, "but I was happy to leave it. There's no style, nobody dresses up - you can't be chic there. It's all shorts and hiking boots and Tevas - it's as if everyone is dressed to go on a camping trip. I don't think people really care how they look there."

ok...although the lovely danielle steel is right...not sure if i would go as far as moving...i'm sure there were other reasons...but yes...i have to say...i'm really not sure what has happened to our lovely city by the bay...

don't get me wrong...there are still those that care about how they look...but it seems as if...well...do i dare say it started with the whole dot com era? at least that is when i started noticing it...at that time...i was wearing business suits...every single day...and as many of my clients were the dot com companies...it was strange for me to show up at business meetings and majority of all attending were in shorts or sweats...

and it never changed...as many of my friends love sending me the "latest and greatest" walmart horror pictures...for that very reason...they know that i am horrified...

i guess all this to say...that dressing "nice" to me is about how you feel about yourself...not necessarily dressing for others...and i find it hard to believe that one would absolutely not care about the way that they look...

it can't be about mony...because one can look dressed at any income level...with special thanks to tj maxx, marshalls, ross, target & yes...thrift stores...

at what point does one just not care? would love to hear your thoughts on the article...and how do you rate your city?

photo source: liz hafalia / the chronicle

fabulous sale at fifi flowers...

i first introduced you to fifi flowers back in september 2010...when i was the lucky winner of some beautiful notecards with shoes...click here to see once again how cute they are...and hello...shoes!

well...fifi flowers is having a HUGE sale...you just have to check it out...all these adorable paintings are $15 a piece...AND free shipping in the u.s...i say...pick some out...have them framed...and voila...a whimsical...parisian inspired wall...

fifi flowers has different topics to choose from...beach, cafe, eiffel tower, fashion, bicycle, decor, floral, french, paris, pet, tablescape...they are all amazing...of course...i gravitate to the fashion paintings...and anything parisian...

you can find these beauties on fifi flower's etsy shop or on the website...

here are some of my favorites...





and here is the pile fifi flowers is sifting through...as she continues to post more and more...meaning...you just gotta keep checking...




photo source: fifi flowers

april showers bring may flowers...

...and in our case here in the san francisco bay area...looks like the rain is continuing on in the month of may...les sigh...but...that doesn't mean we should be looking like we are dressed for winter...

so yes...we're all ready for the rains to go away...and hopefully they will soon enough...they do give us all those beautiful blossoms to enjoy...so why not join in? there's no reason to wear boring rain-wear when there are so many other options out there...take a look....

why not try one of these adorable umbrellas?

photo source: umbrellas.net

photo source: umbrellas.net

or maybe a colorful raincoat or anorak to replace your basic black or tan?

photo source: nordstrom

photo source: nordstom

add in some cheerful wellies and you're sure to brighten up anyones path that you cross!

photo source: boomingdales


photo source: bloomingdales

(excerpt from april/may newsletter)

fashion funnies: royalty and fairy tales...

this has been circulated all week on facebook and other social media sites...obviously someone did some work in the photo-shop department...still funny...none the less...



enjoy your weekend!

dear fashion advisor: casual but stylish...

Q. I tend to dress more simply and casually these days. But I still want to look stylish and pulled together. Any ideas?

a. there is a great way to look casually stylish - it's as simple as a crisp, white shirt...pair it with a pair of colorful cropped pants or capri's - maybe top it off with a fabulous belt or scarf/belt combo at the waist...and voila! you've got a fabulous stylish...yet casual, look!

what will take your white shirt from good to great...however...is to pick a shirt with some special detailing...perhaps on the sleeves or at the neck or in the back...



if you can't wear white well near your face...this will work equally well with a shirt in your 'colors' - just make sure it has a great fit and also a great detail...pair it with white pants and you've got a fabulous spring look!

perfect palettes...

for those that have been reading my blog for a while...i'm sure it comes as no surprise that i am an avid lover of color...the brighter...the better...but...alas...i realize that there are those who are not that thrilled with color...are afraid of it...or just prefer not to wear it...

this post is for you...

give a jolt to your wardrobe with monochromatic outfits...some of the most ravishing looks i've seen on the runway...owe their "wow" factor to a simple whitewash...or other single color scheme...consider single-tone get-ups for their practicality...no heavy lifting on the matching front...and best of all...their magical ability to shroud bodily flaws...you'll look as sleek as an ionic column...

an abundance of like-colored garments also cuts down on the visual clutter in your closet...(i highly recommend arranging your closet by hues...) if you embrace the monochromatic look...remember that it is best executed in subtle...not scary...shades...white, black, grey...and other neutral hues work best...if you want to step out a bit more...try red and pink...great fashion neutrals...best to stay away from head-to-toe purple...unless you want to be mistaken for a certain preschool idol...just saying...

photo source

men's corner: a peak into one man's closet...

walt frazier...announcer for the knick's...definitely has his own style and a wardrobe to prove it...as in the polyester cow-print suit with brown-and-black splotches...

However absurd, it fits in a menagerie of 100 or so suits that hang on five racks and with patterns of tiger stripes and leopard spots; designs of bold plaids and checks; and colors of yellow, red, salmon and orange.

Take a look at this article "walt frazier - always in style" that recently appeared in the new york times - it's a fun read!

photo credit: todd heisler, ny times

but i spent a lot of money on it...

if i had a dime for all the times i have heard this from new clients... =) truth be told...i have to admit...i have even caught myself saying it once or twice...are you attached to an item in your closet because it was expensive? this has got to be the most common response i get from clients unwilling to part with a pricey...but dated piece..."i spent a lot of money on it...and even though i don't wear it...and i'm kind of over it...i think i should still hang onto it"...

les sigh...

let's get honest...we all overspend on clothing from time to time..when we've grown tired of the pricey item...we are particularly hesitant to let go because we feel we haven't yet gotten the "recommended" mileage out of our investment...if that $600 dress (insert whatever item is hanging in the closet...but is not being worn...you know the one...) brought you enjoyment the three times you wore it and you felt great about yourself on those three days...forget about the guilt...

you're an adult...you call your own shots...

better yet...slip into your eco-selfish mindset...sell the $600 dress sooner rather than later...and recycle the money you get into your next must-have purchase...another option is to revamp it with your tailor...

the point is...the money is not going to come back if you keep the item sitting in your closet...so be honest with yourself...and purge it if you no longer wear it...

photo source

fashion funnies: fish hat...

in honor of mother's day...and the kentucky derby (hat's)...

you had me at hello: sequins & stripes...

stripes always catch my eye...to the point that i'm obsessed...to the point that when i'm shopping with girlfriends...and i pick up an item and say "isn't this cute"? to hear...oh what a surprise...stripes... =)

so i'm perusing the may issue of allure...and my heart skips a beat...so much so...that this top had me at hello...stripes AND sequins...les sigh...actually...i love the shorts as well...love the mixing of patterns as well...but those shorts would look good on me...well...in my dreams...that's about it...so i'm sticking to the top...don't you love?

sequined silk t-shirt and silk shorts by aquilano rimondi
scanned by moi

the head scarf...

as i was sitting in the savvy chic boutique today...a customer came in...and swooned over our huge array of silk scarves...which of course...made me happy...cause i was swooning just the day before...who wants to swoon alone? although i have been known too...

so...she says she is looking to use them as a head scarf on her big vacation coming up...we had such a fun time picking out all the different ones that would work with her bathing suit...and the more we talked...we started making up other outfits where the head scarf would look ever so fabulous...she found her favorites...and off she went...

which got me to thinking...although my hair stylist is always gently "reminding" me to cover my head when in the sun...while gardening...kayaking...sitting poolside...i get annoyed with the hats...even the fun floppy ones...so i'm thinking i need to pick some up for myself...

if you are local and in the area...come on by...we've got about 60 scarves to choose from...plus 100's of other spring/summer items...oh...and the best part? all at 40-50% off...how sweet is that? click here to see my favorite shot of the scarves...and store hours...

photo source

"may madness" savvy chic event in may...

well...the day is finally arriving...big may opening day for the savvy chic boutique in burlingame...i have to admit...i am always excited about opening up those huge fifty pound boxes...to see what each boutique decided to send us...this show...i think i have my longest wish list yet...

so what is the savvy chic event? basically...we are a pop-up boutique that opens up about every six weeks...with all new merchandise from boutiques around the u.s. - and we give it to you at 40-50% off...how fabulous is that...right?

so as i am sitting here tonite...thinking what can i show you...little bits of the boutique that is all ready to open up tomorrow morning...so here are some of my favorite pieces...it truly is hard to choose...as we have literally hundred's of items...

so this first pic...has got to be one of my favorite racks...these are all silk scarves...look at all those colors!! makes me so happy...

scarves in abundance...

spring raincoats in "happy" colors...

sundresses...

yowsa!

baubles...

sexy tops...in an array of color...and black...

dresses...

spring sweaters...

and so much more...you really just need to come on in...and don't keep it a secret...there is enough for everyone =) really...plus...you shouldn't keep a good thing a secret...especially from your girlfriends...

savvy chic event
may madness

may 5 - 7 & may 12 - 14
11 am to 5:30 pm
(open until 7pm on thursdays)

319 primrose road (upstairs)
burlingame, ca

if you would like to see more photo's - we have been posting albums daily at "the savvy chic event" on facebook...and you can follow us on twitter...or check out our website...but if you are local...you need to come in...it's just that simple...

match the place & model contest...

a contest?? and it is all about fashion? you know i'm jumping on this one...although i wonder if there are those rules you sometimes read...if you are related...blah blah blah...you can't participate...

yep...this wonderful photographer...jp (juan pablo) costanzo is my cousin...although i would be singing his praises even if he wasn't related...he truly has an unbelievable eye for uniqueness in pictures...go on over to costanzo photography and take a peruse through his work...

so...jp announced a fun little contest he is doing...deadline is may 15...at 1pm pst...and of course...it just happens to be all about fashion...around the world...so let's see how accurate you are...

here is the contest:

After traveling to different countries in Europe many people asked how europeans dress, so we put together this little contest and have you guess where these candid models are from.

(To be fair these are the cities we traveled: Brussels, Brugge, Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Vatican, but it doesn't mean that we have "models" from all of them)

GRAND PRIZE a 40 minute photoshoot (up to 2 people)

2nd PRIZE a $60 gift certificate for Costanzo Photography

3rd PRIZE a$30 gift certificate for Costanzo Photography

once you have your answers...find costanzo photography on facebook or twitter...go ahead..."follow" & "like"...you know you want to =) and post your answers...

oh...and for those that don't live in the san francisco bay area...you can still win...but you have to come to the bay area for the photos (or you can transfer the prize to anybody)...like me? =) haha just kidding...well no...not really...i mean really...who wouldn't want to come visit the beautiful san francisco bay area?

the fabulous bill cunningham...

back in april i wrote about the documentary that was out on bill cunningham new york...in my area it was only playing in one theatre in san francisco...i was determined to see it...but life jjsut kept getting in the way...and i thought for sure i was going to miss it on the big screen...and then...what do you know...it appeared at the palo alto aquarius theatre...squeal!

so...despite this being a rather busy busy week...trying to inventory and set-up the pop-up boutique for its opening this thursday...my business partner and friend adena & i decided we needed a break...and headed over to see it...

ok...i have admired this man for years and years and years...weekly...i couldn't wait for his weekly videos "on the street" featured in the new york times...he has such an eye for fashion...truly truly amazing...

this documentary...was...what word can i possibly use? he is a machine...now in his 80's...he still is on the go...full force...taking these incredible pictures of style on the street...

his humbleness...you just don't find that in people much...anymore...so refreshing...his laugh...geniuine...makes me smile when i hear it...and what you learn about this man...is that he is truly looking for style...doesn't matter who the person is...meaning...he isn't chasing celebrity...he is chasing random people...with style...

one of the things that really touched me...was when he was being talked about...how he will never put a bad picture of anyone out there...and believe me...i'm sure he's taken his share...but he sees the beauty in people...and wants to show that beauty...

this is a must see...especially for those that are into fashion...on any level...but even if you are not...it is a brilliant piece...seeing through the eyes of a true photographer...

get thee to the theatre...you will not be disappointed...

photo source