fashion quiz: the first modern bikini...

if you had to guess...which has more surface area...a sheet of 8 1/2" by 11" paper...or the first modern bikini...what would your answer be??

louis reard...a french automobile engineer...i don't know why that strikes me as funny...an automobile engineer? really? louise reard designed the first modern bikini in 1946...

photo source

and if your guess was " a sheet of paper"...then you would be right! louis reard designed this first modern bikini from a skimpy 30 square inches of fabric...the sheet of paper has 93.5 square inches...

you had me at hello: perfect transitional sandal...

as i was perusing my september issue of california style...being a california girl and all...you know the drill...it takes one turn of a certain page...to get that "you had me at hello" feeling...and this one hit me only on the 10th or 11th page...

these would be...oh so perfect with so many of the clothes that i have...a perfect summer to fall transitional sandal...when it is fall...yet still warm enough for beautiful sandals...love all the colors...definately had me at hello...

bottega veneta
scanned by moi

just a number...

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

simply...let go...

when new clients contact me...and i begin to learn their back stories...i would say...nine out of ten comment that they would like to lose five to ten pounds...if not more...which is okay...if that is where you will feel comfortable...the problem is when they consider waiting to work with me until the weight is off..

i usually tell them that if every client waited to hire me until they lost weight...i wouldn't have a business...

the thing is...we are all under construction in one way or another...but when i see my clients for the first time...i am seeing them as they are right now...not as they used to be...or even how they would like to be...

size is just a number...a great outfit is a great outfit no matter what the size tag reads...a perfect example is the lovely queen latifah...whenever she is photographed in the media...do you think about the size she is? i know i don't...i am thinking how fabulous shes looks...

the idea that losing a few pounds before you can look good in your clothing is a way of thinking we need to drop...it is not about the size on the label...it is all about fitting you for the body you have...now...

center>photo cource

fashion funnies: shopping bags...

one of my girlfriends send me an email a while back with some crazy pics of shopping bags...these two made me laugh...i mean really...




one way to show off a six pack...hmmm

enjoy your weekend

photo credit: boredpanda.com

did you know...

...that fabulous finds also has its very own consignment store? going green has never been more fun...although my local friends and clients have had the pleasure of shopping its vast inventory...it truly is meant to be an "online" fabulous finds consignment boutique...

originally...the idea started for my clients...as we started cleaning out...purging the closets...you know...all the things i love talking about...closet stuff...i started realizing that although these pieces were not right for my clients...they may be right for someone else...and on top of it...my clients were able to re-coop some of their unwise spending...

so...feel free to do some shopping...currently we have about 520 items in the boutique...lots of items still have tags on them... =) but all...whether gently used or new...is in perfectly great condition...

fabulous finds consignment boutique has expanded...to not only women's...but a men's corner as well...and don't get me started on all the gorgeous shoes...handbags...and we even have a "plus size" section...really...something for everyone...

take a peak...and please feel free to share with your shopping buddies...items are added daily...yes...daily...this week alone...25 new items were listed...we've got something in every size...every color...vintage to brand new...

on the flip side...if you are in the process of cleaning out your own closet...let's talk about consigning...most of my clients are local...but i do have several who have shipped me boxes of clothes...so don't let distance deter you...

happy shopping!

let us neutralize...

many people need to let go of the head-to-toe-black mentality...one piece of black is stellar...four pieces of black is...well stale...the number one thing i do with every client is get them out of black and introduce them to the alternatives of other neutrals...such as charcoal grey and chocolate brown...

i think that black is a fantastic neutralizer...but from head to toe...it just...well...makes me think of a mourning period..especially if you're on your way past forty...buy shades of cream...sand...and stone and mix them in with your grey and slate...when you pepper black in as statement pieces...well...you look pretty well put together...if you love jewel tones...they will fuse smartly with these two color palettes...

what other combinations are out there? try a creamy sand and stone palette...while on the other end of the color wheel...there is the beautiful silvery slate greys...i find that drained color...a softer version of a vibrant hue...stays fresh looking...if you wear the drained sister palette of your favorite bright color...you will not tire of it as quickly and it will last longer in your wardrobe...

so come on...let's neutralize...

color...

i want to wear color...but don't know where to start...this of course...would not be me...as i live for wearing color...but i do understand that for some this is a challenge...not to worry...it can be done...

yes...i love color...but for me...color is extremely personal...some of you might be relying heavily on those color charts that were popular years back...in case you're not familiar with these...a consultant determines your "color type" according to a number of factors...including skin tone...the resulting chart displays an extensive array of colors in all tones...there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a color chart...but it's not an unbreakable rule...

buy clothing within the two color families that attract you...for instance...shades of blue and brown...i've found that limiting myself to two distinctive color palettes allows me to wear all my clothing seamlessly together...that way...i don't have an overwhelming set of color options to choose from that don't play well together...

when i suggest buying in a limited palette...i am not referring to buying multiple versions of the same pieces of clothing in different hues...i want you to fill your wardrobe with pieces in interesting and diverse shapes and styles that compliment each other while sticking with shades in your two palettes...

photo source

fall is in my mailbox...

although fall fashion has been in the magazines for a while now...my fall begins when that september issue of vogue shows up in my mailbox...this year...all 758 pages of it...be still my beating heart...the january of fashion has started...

photo source

banana republic has gone mad men...

have you seen it? last week janie bryant...if you don't know who she is...think mad men...janie bryant is the costume designer for the show...yes...her wonderful job is making all those actors look ever so fabulous in their best 60's threads...and believe me...when i am watching mad men...i am so entranced by the beautiful clothing...that sometimes...i am not really paying attention to the story line...janie does an incredible job on that show...don't you agree?

so...as i was saying...last week...janie bryant unveiled a collaberation with banana republic for a limited edition collection of 65 pieces...for both men & women...based on the costumes worn in the fabulous show mad men...

i have to say...it looks quite yummy...take a peak here...

photo source

fashion funnies: when it's not about the dress...

this little comic was in the san francisco chronicle sunday paper a few weeks ago...hagar the horrible by dik browne...made my heart sad...after all...the lady just wants to go out...

lady: do you think i should wear my tan dress to my garden club dance tonight?

hagar the horrible: no

lady: or maybe my green polka-dot dress?

hagar the horrible: no

lady: or maybe my red dress with the pink trim?

hagar the horrible: no

lady: how about my buttercup-yellow dress?

hagar the horrible: no

lady: may i assume you don't really want to go to my garden club dance tonight?

hagar the horrible: yes



enjoy the weekend...

a walk through the 50's...

today was a treat indeed...my girlfriend from grade school on through high school...invited me over for lunch...and a time to catch up...and as if that wasn't special enough...yes...i've got some pretty incredible friends =)

she proceeded to show me lot's of her mom's clothing...from the 50's and 60's...most of which were hand sewn by her mother...to say i was in heaven would be the understatement of the year...

most of my own vintage collection is from the 50's & 60's...it truly is the style i gravitate towards...so you could just imagine me drooling a bit...but i tried to keep it off the clothes... =)

the dresses...unbelievable...each one so unique and different...i even got to see the special dress her mom had made herself for her honeymoon...there was just something about the way women dressed up for things...which is probably why i love the pic i posted today...who dresses up like that today to cook dinner?

then we got to the coats...my personal favorite...the beautiful furs...and the biggest moment? was not seeing her mom's...but her grandmothers fox stole...be still my beating heart...

i think i said about 3 to 4 times during the afternoon..."i was born in the wrong era..." which actually my mom has said to me many times as well...

all in all...such a fun fun afternoon taking a walk through the 50's...

photo source

my closet the crayola crayon box...

remember getting that brand new box of crayola crayons? i'm sure that is where my love of color started...and truth be told...what i love about my closet...is that when i open it up...it reminds me of a box of crayons...with all the beautiful colors...

so...i want you to think of your closet as your box of crayons...when you look into your closet...notice what items are sitting right next to each other...

there might be a multi-colored striped shirt nudging a chocolate brown chiffon skirt...and they are both screaming..."wear me, wear me! wear us together!" ok...maybe not...but let's pretend...ok?

i cannot tell you how often i grab pieces from my client's closets and create an outfit they never knew they had...it was right under their nose the whole time...

so...let your creative juices flow...and pair together two or three pieces you would have never thought of...

photo source

my client becky...

as i was going through old files in my office...i came across some notes i had jotted down about my first visit with one of my dearest clients...becky...this was before i was blogging...otherwise i know that it would have been a blog post...and then i thought...why not showcase it now...i first met becky back in 2008...

here was my journal entry...

i spent about 3 hrs shopping for one of my newest clients yesterday...

back to when we met...i was referred to mrs c. by a friend of mine...mrs c. hired me to help update her daughter becky's wardrobe...becky is 21 yrs old and has autism...mrs c. felt that her daughter looked like she was dressed by a 55 yr. old woman - her mom.

when i went over to their home to meet them...mrs c. told me that becky was finishing up her lunch and would come into the living room when she was done...we sat and chatted about becky's activities...and what she needs...

then becky came into the room...she came right up to me...gave me a big hug & a kiss on the cheek...and proceeded to sit right next to me...you gotta love that...

becky is a beautiful girl with such innocence - it grabbed at me...this innocence - the one we all long for...the surprise in every situation - they way children look at things in such wonder...

mrs c. asked becky if she knew why i was there...and becky says "closet"...
mrs c. asks "what about the closet?"
and becky says "closet clean-up"

the next few hours were spent doing a closet audit...and really looking at what becky had that we could build on...her mom's goal was to take becky from dressing like a young child and dress her like the young lady she is now...

obviously there are many challenges that go along with a child with autism...for becky - alot of it is buttons & tying, when to take the sweater off, what top matches those pants...things we don't even think about...(well most of us) ;o)

becky is a fully developed woman...who many times acts as a five year old child...so the things that we think about...crossing our legs...bending over...don't come into play with her...she is interested in playing with her toys...and yet...she is in college...goes to her part time job...and then comes home to play with her dolls...

becky does not think about fashion - but her mom wants her to look nice...

mrs c. was most excited about the look book that i was creating for becky...a book just for her - with pictures of all her clothes already in outfits...all becky needed to do is look through her book - and decide what outfit she wanted to wear...and it is put together for her...

i love that the innocence of a child can teach you so much, warm your heart & make you feel loved...all at once!

a well manicured closet...

if you were to only to mow your lawn...i don't know...let's say...once a year...what would it look like? ok...maybe a bit far-fetched...but for a moment...think of your closet like you would your front lawn...regular maintenance is the only way to keep everything under control...

you must weed it...mow it...nurture it...and in the closet world...same rules apply...we call it purging...

it means...removing from your wardrobe unworn...worn out...and out-of-date clothing on a regular basis...many do a closet purge about once a year...some...don't do a closet purge at all...i say...a closet purge should take place consistently...like the seasons...four times a year...yes...you read that right...four times...

if you want to keep things fresh...fun...and reminiscent of the you that you are today...you must make the time to purge your wardrobe...over and over and over again...well...at least four times a year...it is by far...the best method to part ways with items that aren't working for you...you'll find out what looks become you...and what looks don't work for you...and ultimately...hopefully...break you of your binging or nonshopping habit...

photo source

fashion history: all black issue...

in july of 2008...franca sozzani...the editor in chief of vogue italia...produced the first ever all-black issue of vogue...the magazine featured naomi campbell...liya kebede...iman...jourdan dunn...and...last but certainly not least...black barbie...

photo source

fashion funnies: not bragging but...

I don't want to brag or make anybody jealous or anything,

but I can still fit into the earrings I wore in high school...



this funny email has been circulating quite a bit...and still...everytime i receive it...i laugh...

make it a fabulous weekend...

window display: shooting stars...

i cannot believe i didn't write down the name of the store that this window display is from...i do know that it was from a recent weekend trip in beautiful carmel, ca...the funny thing is that it wasn't the handbag that caught my eye...but the cool display of shooting stars...

you had me at hello: meow or miu miu?

when i first laid eyes on these beauties...my first thought was meow...and then saw that they were miu miu...one of my favorites...to say they had me at hello...would be an understatement...they would so work in nicely with my wardrobe...now and transitioning into fall...and then fall into winter...

although i have already been drooling over what is coming for fall...i try to keep most of it to myself for now...as i know most of my readers are wanting info on the here and now...not what is coming months from now...but may i just say...fall is going to be quite a treat this year...lots of beautiful color...textures...but...enough already...

aren't we still soaking up summer rays?

back zip bootie by miu miu

too tight or too baggy...

...are both descriptions you want to avoid at all cost...unless of course...you want to add ten pounds to your body instantly...

anything too tight...you've seen them...the too-snug clothes...the blouses with gaping buttons...jeans that reveal panties beneath...or worse yet...the lovely muffin top...skirts that crease across the hips...

all these tend to make you look heavier that you are...aim instead for the perfect easy fit that doesn't tug every which way...

anything too baggy...likewise...baggy clothes of any sort can add the illusion of bulk...and who wants that? although i've heard many state that too-big clothes make you feel more comfortable and often thinner...hmmm...but in fact...what they do is make you look heavier...

abstain...abstain...abstain...

photo source

stylish afternoon tea...

one of my most favorite things to do...is having afternoon tea at some swanky hotel or restaurant...of course...being in the middle of summer...that is not an activity that takes place often...

so i was having lunch with of my dearest friends...and she was telling me how her niece had high tea at a place in london...which already sounds so fabulous to me...by the way...

but no...this is not your ordinary high tea...the berkeley london hotel serves their mouth-watering prêt-à-portea delicacies with a fashionista twist...all inspired by themes and colors of the fashion world...be still my beating heart...

The new Spring / Summer 2011 collection sees Victoria Beckham, Miu Miu and Tom Ford make their debut on the Berkeley’s tea stand as Prêt-à-Portea echos the season’s trends of vibrant yellow and orange, block colours, oversized flowers and white summer chic...

now i feel i must plan a trip to london...if not just for the high tea...

photo source

hanging onto useless items...

over the years...i've seen many closets...some small...some medium...some huge...some very orderly...some...not so much...and with these closets...comes the time where things need to be thrown out......

when you're cleaning out your closet...what to save is usually more obvious than what to toss...but hanging onto useless items can blind you to the real gaps in your wardrobe by giving you the illusion of plenty...clothes...clothes everywhere...and not a thing to wear...

i thought i would share with you my list of all those items that finally and absolutely deserve to die...yes die...

white shirts with yellowed armpits, brown cuffs, and ring around the collar...you may love white shirts...and it may be hard to admit when one has met with terminal dinge...and don't use the excuse that "i'll keep my jacket on" come on...you deserve better then that...

the perfectly nice piece that makes you feel fat or ugly...whether the color is wrong...or it's the wrong style...give it to someone else who will appreciate it...and then move on to that perfectly nice piece that make you feel fabulous...

gifts that were never you...we all get them...the well-intentioned lacy blouse or lime green polyester dress that we'd try to avoid wearing if they were the last clothes one earth...and yet...we keep them...thinking we'll put them on when the giver comes to visit...or maybe we think...that if we throw them out...the giver will be angry...come on..really?

the item you bought when you were deranged and have never seen fit to wear...we all make mistakes...but if a few years go by and your mistake still seems entirely like one...let it go...and rid yourself of the reminder...

that beautiful silk blouse with the big grease stain on the front...yes...it may be a fairly new piece in your wardrobe...but if in fact it has been ruined...why hold on to it? better to throw it out...save up for a new one...and be more careful...

the skirt or pants that only fit for two weeks...do you really need a constant reminder that for one brief shining moment you actually wore a size 4?

those stretched out, holey, or saggy socks, hose, underwear...out...once and for all...with those droopy drawers, baggy bras, worn-out socks, and tights with the crotch that always ends up at your knees...

and finally...

the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth set of old clothes you're saving to wear when you paint the house...yes...while it is smart to hang on to tattered tee shirts and jeans for sloppy jobs around the house...do you really need an entire house-painting wardrobe?

can you think of any others? please feel free to share in the comments...

photo source

fashion funnies: whoever said...

received this lovely coffee cup from a dear friend...



here is a close-up of the caption... =)


enjoy the weekend...

put together: minimalist chic...

the minimalist classic...so chic...it has really been catching my eye...saw this lovely pictorial of claire forlani in the may issue of more magazine...

goes to show...less is more...and sleek is definately the new chic...












all pics scanned by moi...

what do i do?

yesterdays post was all about our need to weed...and what stops us from doing so...and for many...this could be too overwhelming a task for one to handle...whether it be because you are tied emotionally to your clothes...or maybe because you just aren't quite sure on what to keep and what to get rid of...or perhaps...you just have better things to do...

i've spoken to many who became clients...but it was only after they became clients...they told me that they hesistated in calling me...simply for the fact that they weren't quite sure what it was...i would do...

i joke alot about the whole "what not to wear" idea...where a stylist comes in and gets rid of every shred of clothing...and basically starts anew with a whole new wardrobe...not only is this really far from reality...it is also a big bite on ones wallet...

so i thought i would share a little of how i personally work...

before the closet doors are even opened...i like to first sit down and talk with my client...this is the time where i find out what your life activities are...what you like & don't like...what you need...where you want to go with your style...and in this...we work on a style recipe specifically for you...it then gives us a point to work towards...to get a handle on your ideal theoretical wardrobe before tackling your actual one...

next we tackle the closet...the right way...is to go through each item...one by one...making decisions of what's in...what's out...what might be possible...

are there pieces that aren't being worn? can we make some outfits out of them...

if needed...we work on ways of creating space in the closet that is needed...or finding creative ways to store your precious items...

a list is made of needed items...and the hunt begins for those...

and therein begins the start of a beautiful relationship...

so for those in the san francisco bay area...if you are ready to begin...let me know...i look forward to working with you...or if you have questions...feel free to contact me...

elena daciuk
fabulous finds
wardrobe consultant/stylist
415.577.6133

photo source

why is it so hard to weed?

...your closet...that is...

there you stand...in front of your jam packed closet...you've tried to get rid of those items (you know the ones)...really you have...you've torn your closet apart...hardening that heart of yours as you toss everything that doesn't fit...doesn't flatter...or isn't in style anymore to the side...maybe...you've even gone as far as having bundled all your rejects and looked up the goodwill phone number...

the problem?

those little voices...crying out to you from the garbage bag..."you can't throw me out! you paid $250 for me and you wore me only once" or "how could you get rid of me? your mother gave me to you for christmas!"

believe me...i've been there...getting rid of clothes...even those you're sure you'll never wear again...can be a difficult task...why is it so hard to part with what are...pieces of clothing just taking up space in our closet?

it truly is a struggle to weed out your own closet...mostly...because there is so much emotion attached to our clothes...you basically remember what you paid for each item...where you wore it...who gave it to you...

the flip side...getting rid of things that we are not...and won't be utilizing...can be very liberating...but you need someone to tell you how to do it...or you need someone to help you...who will be objective and not emotionally tied to the garments...

for those that truly want to leave the task to a professional...to weed out and reorganize the closet...but have that little bit of fear...maybe from watching too many episodes of "what not to wear"...where they feel they will have nothing left to wear...i will share with you how i...as a wardrobe consultant work...

...but you'll have to tune in tomorrow...

photo source

don't forget the accessories...

do you consider accessories in your wardrobe budget? and if so...what percentage of your budget is spent on accessories?

that would of course include...jewelry, scarves, belts, shoes, handbags...all the fun stuff...right? but for many...the accessories are pretty much the afterthought...or many times...not really thought of as needing updating...replacement...or re-use...

after the main pieces have been purchased...economically speaking...the accessories may not even be thought of as a need...however...accessories truly are important...if not more important that the clothes themselves...

accessories should always be as expensive as you can afford...meaning...don't go for a cheesy plastic belt...when what you really need is a good leather belt...on jewelry...real vs costume...i say whatever speaks to you...and if you have both...mix them together!

when you invest in accessories...and in investing...i mean buying as expensive as you could afford...what happens? the accessories truly bring up the whole look of what you are already wearing...

here are a few essentials...

for a handbag...i say think day & nite...the bag you use for every day use...should not be the bag you use when going out to a nice dinner...an evening bag is as essential as your day handbag...

belts...same thing...a day belt, evening belt...adding a belt to an outfit can completely change the look...

jewelry...some gold, some silver...if you are not able to wear one of the metallics...substitute with ivory, copper, jet or a colored stone...

and scarves...silk, wool, cotton, so many colors & patterns to choose from...

and the main reason not to forget the accessories...this is truly the way to start enhancing your wardrobe...so whether you have 15 pieces in your closet to work with...or 3 closets full of clothes...by starting to incorporate in accessories...your wardrobe will take on a whole new life...

photo source

first impressions...

like it or not...fair or unfair...when you walk into a room...meet someone for the first time...go in for that first interview...blind date...client appointment...you smile...your handshake is firm...you're smart and friendly and articulate...this may not matter a lot...well...i believe it matters...but what also matters...is what you're wearing...

clothes are absolutely critical in first impressions...i have heard headhunters say...that a person can be selected for a position in the first three minutes of an interview...based on eye contact...body language...and clothing...

the truth is...it can take as little as five seconds for people to look at you and make a conclusion...think of the eye as a camera...making a snapshot...and what the person sees the very first time will be in his or her mind...well...for a long time...if not forever...

when you meet a person for the first time...what you wear is a statement of what you want the other person to know about your status...education...and taste...

while making a good first impression is essential to initial acceptance...and while it may color what happens next...that is not to say that it can't be dominated...over time...by other essential qualities...but time is the key...

bottom line...don't be someone you are not...but when choosing what to wear...choose something that you are comfortable in...that fits your image and looks good...wearing a style that doesn't suit your body shows poor judgement...

and that is where a wardrobe consultant can help...by defining your personal style...one that fits into your own personal life...

photo source