color block your shoes...

color blocking...although not a new trend...it is coming back strong for fall...combining the use of two or three solid colors...in one outfit...for some...is a bit much...so a clever way to bring in this trend to your fall wardrobe is in your accessories...such as shoes...

i pulled a few examples for you to peruse...if three colors is a bit much for you...start with two...it could be done in brights or muted colors...

or try and pull in a nice clutch or handbag...whatever the accessory...it is sure to add a nice touch of "color" to your wardrobe...

steven by steve madden 'cathi' pump

ivanka trump 'kyra' pump

steve madden 'gaayle' pump

fendi 'fendista' open toe platform pump

all shoes shown: nordstrom.com

men's corner: update the fall tie...

as we start transitioning our summer wardrobes into fall...even when the weather is not blistering cold...the biggest change that should show the transition...is the choice of colors and textures...the lighter fabrics need to be weaned off...and sturdier textures should be emerging...

for those of you men who wear ties...try to pick up a few nice textured ties...sure the silk ties will work in the darker "fallish" colors...but why not throw in a little heavier weight numbers to match the heavier weight suits...perhaps in a wool or cashmere...

this beauty below...not only brings in the polka dot trend...(yes...even men can have it in their wardrobe...) but it carries a nice wool, cashmere & silk blend...

bottega veneta polka dot tie
barneys new york

a winning combination...

so many combinations that can be played out in your closet...whether it be mixing patterns...mixing colors...wearing solids...color blocking...one of the trends you will be seeing a lot of this fall season...is the combining of neutrals...

if you ask me...it is a pretty classy look...and the combination of camel & grey...has me completely swooning...

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biohazard spring 2012...

the fabulous AND gorgeous stacy lomman has done it again...and to say that i am obsessed with this dress...would be an understatement...isn't it amazing??









so...i have to say...the first thing that i loved about this collection...was all the color...which if you knew stacy...you would know...she is not into color...or at least doesn't wear a lot of it...we've talked on numerous occasions about my love for color...and well her love for black...oh...and she loves white...

stacy and i first met on twitter...and it was a week before fashion week last year in new york...that we talked about possibly meeting face to face...but hello...it was a week before her show...so it didn't happen...but...i can still call her my friend...and brag about how absolutely fabulously talented she is...

take a peak at her spring 2012 collection...and try not to swoon...biohazard...as stacy will explain...is the name of her collection...

a few funny tidbits about the show...that's official "radioactive" tape on the zipper pull of the dress i love...kind of unique...stacy got that from her sister's lab...

oh...and the bride's face mask was from the lab of the guy who invented gatorade...courtesy of stacy's sister...

and the guest goodie bags at the show...contained...official...ziploc/lab specimen/biohazard bags...

aren't you dying to know why she called her collection biohazard?? take a look at the video clip below to see all her fabulous pieces...to which...may i add...she poured over each piece with her own hands...did i mention how talented she is?



my hope is that next year...i will be able to see her show "live"...

photo credit: randy brooke
video credit: steve lars, creative ventures international

fashion quiz: the weight of the skirt...

have you worn a crinoline lately? if you've wanted to put a little bounce into your circle skirt...then you have...but if you had a choice between a steel hoop skirt...or a cotton crinoline...which would you choose?

today's fashion quiz: which weighs more...a steel hoop skirt or cotton crinolines?

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if you chose cotton crinolines...then you are right! metal hoop skirts tended to weigh between 8 and 24 ounces...and were therefore much lighter than layers and layers of stiff cotton...

fashion funnies: shoes that make you go hmmm...part 7

when i first received this email from a girlfriend...i almost deleted it...thinking i'd seen it already...but alas...there were some new shoes added...who would ever think that we are now up to a "part 7" in the fashion funnies series of...shoes that make you go hmmm...

enjoy your weekend!

first day of fall...

while it is a little bit hard to think that we are now at the first day of fall...being that in my neck of the woods...we have been experiencing some of the best "summer" weather ever...today...during my lovely hike...at 10:30am...i think it was somewhere in the neighborhood of a lovely 89 degrees...

so while i welcome the first day of fall...thinking about fall fashion...although it is my favorite...is a bit hard...just yet...but just as much as i love seeing the different colors of leaves that truly let you know that fall is here...there are pieces...that soon...i hope...i will be ready to start wearing...

so what am i most wanting to bring out? getting out the cozy sweaters...fur...and boots...plaids...fur...fall colors...did i mention fur? i love the colors of fall...oranges, rust...greens...think of fall leaves...those vibrant colors...

but until i notice that fall crispness in the air...i'll hold on to my summer wear...just a little bit longer...

what are you most longing to wear for fall?

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transitional pieces...

well...here we are...the official last day of summer...and although many consider end of summer at the start of the new school year and/or labor day...all of us need to start thinking about the transition to fall...

i went back and looked at my post from last year...transitioning into fall...this for some is a hard transition to make...the weather still screams summer...at least in my area it is still fairly warm...just this last weekend we had high 90's...and yes...as a part of me really wants to hold on to warm weather...the fall fashion beckons me...

but that transitional time...when it may start getting crisp...not cold enough for the coats...or the bulky sweaters...what do you do?

there are some key pieces that will help in transitioning into the slightly colder climates...so what should a closet have?

the key to this period is in layering...what is great about layering...is that you are able to put on or take off pieces as the weather warrants...so while you may still be able to wear those summer maxi dresses...why not start layering them with a scarf...a cardigan...even a nice blazer...

booties are great for transitioning your wardrobe as well...the sandals will slowly start coming out less and less...but you can still pair alot of your summer wear with a change of the shoes...while it is still warm...booties and bare legs will take you through most days...and as it gets colder...start bringing in some fun tights to keep those legs warm...

and then you want to start thinking about color...some say to start wearing darker colors...while i don't feel everything should be dark...because it is cold outside...you do want to start steering away from the pastels...and look at darker versions of your lighter colors...

j crew navy blue blazer
currently in fabulous finds consignment boutique

unconventional chic...

love to see the unexpected...whether it be in an outfit...a display...or an ad...and with that in mind...i am really loving the lacoste spring 2011 ads...i have found 4 so far...not sure if there are more...but...the creativity of this take on unconventional chic...fabulous!

this is taking a polo shirt to a whole new level...front and center...











all photo's via lacoste.com

fasten your seat belt...

as abc gets ready to take off with "pan am" starting september 25th...a tv series about flight attendants & pilots on the once fabulous pan am airlines...many are wondering if it will take off as mad men did...years ago...

taking place in the 60's...although pan am was known for their uniforms...the tunis blue uniform which consisted of the tailored jacket, a straight skirt with a big kick pleat, a white blouse, white gloves and a hat...there are variations of it that can be worn today...

so will you be watching pan am? and more importantly...will you be sporting the trim tailored suit?

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fashion funnies: the repurposed belt...

scott hilburn - comic

may your weekend be fabulous & stylish...

when to not wait for the sale...

who doesn't love a sale? there is something wonderful about getting that absolutely perfect piece that will enhance your wardrobe...while it is on sale...but can there be times where a sale may actually waste your money?

some things...are not worth waiting for the sale...when would that be? let's say you are looking for a black skirt...and let's say you find this perfect skirt for $100...now you like the skirt...this skirt fits and looks good on you...and this skirt makes sense for your wardrobe...in many ways...no problems there...but still...you hold up this plain black skirt...with three seams and a zipper...twenty inches square...and you feel that something is not quite right...and what's not quite right is that you can't figure out why this very simple item should cost $100...

one of the things that i will often go over with my clients is the cost per wear...or what i like to call "fashion accounting 101"...and if you find a piece of clothing that fits you perfectly...and you know that you will be wearing it over and over and over...if the item is within your budget...don't skimp...

the savvy buyer holds out for big discounts whenever possible...i mean...why shouldn't you? however...the problem is that there are also many ways to make a mistake saving money on clothes...or waiting for that big sale...

and here would be some reasons...

- if you have trouble finding clothes that fit...

- if your rushed for time...

- if you need something for a special occasion...

- if you need to replace a staple in your wardrobe...

while i am not saying that you wouldn't be able to find an item on sale...holding out for a discount can prove to be a mistake...if you find yourself continually sacrificing comfort or quality or style...to the bottom line...that can be a mistake...

and perhaps the biggest spending mistake that can be made...is buying bargain clothes that don't fit correctly or aren't flattering or don't go with anything else in your wardrobe...and then never get worn...

say for example...you go through a store and that purple blouse that's on sale attracts you...you don't have any idea what that purple blouse is going to go with...but..."it is such a great price"...you end up never wearing it...but because it was such a bargain you "had to own it..."

if you hadn't done that...if instead of that purple blouse at $50...and the other 9 items that you purchased...because "they were such great deals"...at $50 a piece...you could have put the $500 into one item you wear over and over and over again....the $500 ends up being a better deal...

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meet maria...

recently...a client of mine asked if i would sell some of her mother's vintage clothing...lots of beauties from the 50's & 60's...so for you vintage lovers...stay tuned...because they will be listed very soon in the fabulous finds consignment boutique...along with some beautiful furs...including a luscious fox stole that was in fact her grandmothers...and lovely hats...

which brings me to maria...when i received all these beautiful hats...i frantically searched around my home...as to anything that would be a good prop for the hats...but nothing seemed right...

so...i had a bright idea...call my fabulous sister-in-law (did i mention she is my best friend?) and hair stylist...i asked her if she by chance had any "heads" that i could borrow for my hat photo shoot...she said that she thought she did...but would call me once she got home...

a few hours later...she called me with great news...she had 3! but two were not pretty =) but one would be perfect...i was planning to visit her the next day to get my hair done...so she said she would style maria's hair...and have her ready for me...

ok...don't you love the fact that she went as far as styling maria's hair for her big photo shoot? i got a kick out of that...

so here is maria...after a 2 hour drive home with me...i hope my sister-in-law isn't too distraught at her hair now...but i know that maria will bring the vintage hats to life...

maria is all set for her big modeling debut next week...

happy 2 year...

...blogaversary to me! yep...today...two years...that truly is unreal...i still remember the thought process going through my head as to whether to start a blog or not...and here i am...2 years later...glad that i did...

and to think...i missed my 1 year blogaversary celebration...why? because i was having much to much fun this time last year in new york...

i think the most amazing part of having this blog...has been all the wonderful people that i have met through it...some face to face...others...just through social media contact...but yet...i can call them friends...

thank you one and all...for stopping by...catching a bit of fashion tidbits...leaving your comments...and then coming back again for more!

now to get me a piece of that chocolate cake...and really celebrate!

the thrill of shopping...

...or not...for some...it is an adventure...for others...anything but...majority of my clients who i shop for...hate to shop....or don't have time to shop...both of which are beneficial reasons for them hiring me...and the fact that i can get it done in a lot less time then they would have...

so let's say...you need some new clothes...which means you need to shop...but where to go? do you want to brave macy's or limit yourself to ann taylor? pay the prices at saks or try to ferret out some treasures at loehmann's? that little boutique next to the post office is convenient...and even easier is the catalog that is right at your elbow...heck...now-a-days...almost anything can be found with a few clicks at the computer...

not only do you have an overwhelming number of choices...but each has its advantages and disadvantages...different draws and different demands...the question has become not simply where to shop...but how to cope with the place once you get there...

shopping for clothes has become a sophisticated venture...the prime reason...the nature of retailing has changed dramatically...consider that in the 1960's certain things we now take for grantd were in their infancy...malls...for example...and boutiques...the kind with personality...consider the fact that outlet malls were pretty much nonexistent...and designer for the middle-class working woman...such as calvin klein and liz claiborne...as opposed to couturiers or "better manufacturers" were nonexistent...

now there are a lot more places to shop than the big department store downtown...more stores means more competition between stores and more competition means more sophisticated selling techniques...the rise of boutiques and of outlets has forced department stores to liven up their acts and become more aggressive with markdowns and service...specialty stores and designer shops sell not only clothes but a complete image...

so what does this have to do with you? everything...if you're going to shop with the most savvy and the least stress in minimal time making the most of your money...if stores have become ultrasophisticated in how they sell...it behooves you to become just as sophisticated in how and where and why you buy...

so...what is your first choice for shopping? do you prefer the big department stores...smaller boutiques...outlets all the way...or online shopping?

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fashion funnies: how to pronounce...

...yves saint laurent...



this just made me laugh...only 8 seconds long...and if you look off to the right...there are many many more to hear...i think my second favorite would be the l'occitane...

enjoy your weekend...

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instant stylist game...

have you ever wanted to test your expertise in style? why not have a go at it with an instant stylist game? found this fun exercise on instyle.com ...go ahead...and have some fun with it...if anything...with the lovely hints it gives you...if you answer incorrectly...you might gain a tip or two...which is always nice...

and if you are proud of yourself...list your score in the comments...good luck!

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fashion's night out 2011...

today marks the 3rd annual fashion's night out...what will you be doing? there is still time to plan your evening...go on out...scope out some good deals...perhaps some give aways...meet designers...click on the fashion's night out website to help navigate you in your city...with details of what is going on...

of course...i would die to be in new york right now...i was there exactly this time last year...but couldn't make it out this year...

and for those of you not wanting to venture out...i have heard that there are online events as well...imagine...relaxing in the comfort of your own home...and participating in FNO 2011...

would love to hear what you end up doing...feel free to share in the comments...

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client praise: karen...

the reason why i love what i do...

I never thought I'd be hiring a wardrobe consultant - after all I AM a designer and I know what looks good . . . . After hearing my friends rave about her, I finally asked Elena to come and look over my professional wardrobe. She was exactly what I needed! Elena looked over what I had, put together coordinated outfits, and recommended which pieces I needed to buy to fill in the gaps. Now I can make the most of my time and budget by shopping just for the pieces that will help me wear what I already have!

thank you karen...it was my pleasure!

yes you can...

...wear white after labor day...especially if they weather warrants it...i've never understood this rule...and i have to say...i am amazed at how many times i get asked the question..."is it ok to wear white after labor day?"

and my answer is always a resounding yes! it is not like labor day passes us by...and all the white needs to be locked up for the winter...some things...yes...i would start putting away...if you do in fact wear white shoes...i would say...best to store them away...it is time for the linens to be put away...but even that...is a thin line...because much of this is determined by weather...white is a great color on hot days...so if you are living in a climate where temperatures are still climbing...why would you not want to be comfortable?

besides...have you not heard of "winter white?" instead of asking yourself if you could wear white after labor day...focus more on the fabrics and texture...that will help you determine what is appropiate for each month of the year that you choose to wear white...

when i saw this pic it made me smile...so to those who are asking...yes...yes you can wear white after labor day..."don't fight the feeling"...just do it!

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happy labor day...

wishing you all a fabulous & stylish labor day weekend!

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aahhh...september...

...i welcome you...and all of your delicious fall fashion waiting for me to absorb...