happy new year...

while i am still a bit surprised that it is the last day of 2012...doesn't it seem like it arrived rather quickly??  i love what it represents...a new start...and while this year has been full of so many incredible moments...i am ready to see what 2013 has to offer...

wishing all of you fabulous readers...a safe and happy new years eve...may it be part sparkly...part bubbly...and part fun...

thank you for sticking by me on this wonderful "fashion" ride of 2012...let's all look forward to a new year...a fabulous new & stylish 2013!

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merry christmas...

may your home be filled with

warmth and laughter this christmas season...

thank you from the bottom of my heart...

for all your support to me and my business

this past year...

wishing you the very best this christmas...

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window display: the scantily dressed snowman...

while i thought ted baker london's window display last year was pretty fabulous...click here to see it...this year...well...it made me laugh...a scantily dressed snowman...smiling of course...i have to say...the wndow displays for ted baker london are pretty amazing...year after year...and they move...which i always enjoy...

have you seen a christmas window display that made you stop in your tracks?

happy first day of winter...

it's official...winter is here...and although we here in "sunny" california do not see much snow...unless you are heading into tahoe...i still look at snowy winter pictures with awe...such beauty...such tranquility...

whatever weather hits you this first day of winter...may it be full of the wonder of the season...

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winter white...

there is something so beautiful about wearing 

an all out winter white outfit...

all you need?

a beautiful skirt or pair of pants...

add an angora or cashmere sweater...

add a pair of nude flats or heels...

add a gold statement necklace...

and voila...

winter white perfection!

winter white by fabufinds featuring yellow gold jewelry

drawing inspiration from...

a beautiful bird...there is something so peaceful about this picture...but what drew me to it...was the color against a winter white...such a great neutral to wear this time of year...whether it be your winter white coat...or winter white wool pants and sweater...what beautiful color will you add for that extra touch against a beautiful winter white background?

be it a scarf...a handbag...a colorful brooch...

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emerald green...

it's official...emerald green is the color of 2013...

pantone had this to say about this absolutely amazing color...

"Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious. Since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the color of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions. It’s also the color of growth, renewal and prosperity – no other color conveys regeneration more than green. For centuries, many countries have chosen green to represent healing and unity.

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”"

i am very excited about sharing this beautiful color...and in the following weeks and months...i will be bringing you ways to incorporate this lovely color into your wardrobe...a great color for both men & women...

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jewelry analysis...

i spend a lot of time on this blog talking about closet clean-outs...purging...trying to create new outfits from items that you've worn only one certain way...these same rules apply to your jewelry as well...just as in your clothing...over time...things that you bought may have worked for your life style...but your style either changed...or your profession or life style may have changed...and in that...your clothing style changes...

this also applies to your jewelry...and i do recommend going through it every so often...and see if the pieces you have...are working with your current life style...just as you analyze the items in your closet...do the same with all your jewelry...lay it out on your bed or a nice clean table...

- does the jewelry work with your current outfits?

- does the color and style match your current style?

- do you have a lot of one (ie: earrings) and not enough of another (ie: necklaces)?

then start looking at your outfits that you have put together...how many different choices do you have with one outfit?  as i always say with your clothing items...that each item should be worn at a minimum of 3 different ways...so should you try and mix up the jewelry you wear with each outfit...

mix it up...have fun and experiment...put two or three bracelets together...or necklaces...make new "statement" pieces just by combining...and for the pieces that are just lying around...because they don't go with your current style...is there a way that they can be updated?  if not...it might be time to say good-bye...

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rev up your shoe choices this christmas season...

when it comes to shoes...sometimes...the shoe alone can make the outfit...wearing all black...or all ivory...pick any neutral...and spicing up the outfit with some colorful shoes...well...a whole new way of looking at creating outfits...

the christmas season is a time to step out of the box a bit...after all...it is a festive time...so here are some examples of revving up that plain ole outfit...all taken from the fabulous finds consignment boutique...as you can see from the examples...all heel heights apply...it is about a pop of color...think vibrant red...or a beautiful jewel tone...

does this spark a memory of a pair of shoes hidden somewhere in the back of your closet...go ahead...pull them out...give them new life...and if one of the ones listed below strikes your fancy...click on the link...and check out if it is your size and a perfect fit...

nina

paolo lantorno

beverly feldman

bcbg

anne klein

carmen marc valvo

steve madden

academia design london

nordstrom

meet my new cookie jar...

is this not the cutest cookie jar?  it was given to me last nite by my dear friend virginia...and while i will need to find something to store in it...other then cookies...well...truth be told...cookies wouldn't last long enough in my house to be stored in a cookie jar...yeah...no discipline in the sweets department...

but i had to share...love the black and white theme with a pop of red...goes perfect actually...in my office...so whether it be full of something or not...it will definitely bring a smile to my face every time i look at it...

thanks virginia!  i love it!

bring the brooches out...

the uses for brooches are vast...i tell you...vast...whether you peruse through your grandmothers jewelry box...or hunt some down at the local thrift store...what a fun way to update any old blazer or sweater...

but don't stop there...the more the better...how about trying for a cluster of brooches?  mix and match 3 different ones and create a wonderful arrangement on your blazer...whether you stick to pearls and rhinestones...or go for some color...what an easy embellishment...

thinking that is not quite your look?  how about attaching one to a necklace you have...perhaps your pearls could use a nice brooch...or add to a simple chain or leather string necklace...instant statement necklace...and you choose the color and style...

pin one to an otherwise boring clutch...how about adding it to a belt?  or pin it to the waistband of your skirt or dress...get the idea?  so many options...all with a tiny brooch...give it a try!

and if you have some innovative ways to wear your brooches...please leave ideas in the comments...so others can try them out as well...

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christmas at the rotunda...

one of my all time favorite places in the city...the rotunda in neiman marcus...so imagine my excitement when announcements were made that the aici (association of image consultants international) san francisco chapter christmas party would be held there...squeal!  

i have always been fascinated by the enormous tree in the store...even more so then the one in union square...something about this tree is just SO beautiful...and every year...i need to go check it out...at least once...maybe twice...how do they get that massive thing in the store?

the tip of the tree in the rotunda...isn't the ceiling amazing?

and yes...this was our amazing view for the evening...over looking union square on a most perfect nite...

and some of my friends and fellow colleagues...being in a room of image consultants...i knew that everyone would be looking pretty sharp in their holiday best...

we had a "fashion" ornament exchange...well not really an exchange...but a white elephant gift exchange...where the idea is to "steal" from others...rather then swap...this was the beauty i ended up with at the end of the nite...love the color...

blame it on the rain...

ok...i'll admit it...i don't much like the rain...unless of course...i am inside...and staying put...but there are those days that i must venture out...in the rain...as has been these last few weeks...we have had an enormous amount of downpours in the bay area...almost enough for me to think i need to add a nice pair of rain boots to my shoe collection...

as i ventured through nordstrom.com in the comfort of my home...nice and dry...i was pleasantly surprised with a lovely array of choices...being that cold and rainy days usually signify...grey and dreary...at least for me...my need to bring cheer in...forces gives me reason to go for fun color and texture...

here are my top choices...if i do decide to bite the bullet...and splurge on a nice pair of rain boots...

what do you look for in a rain boot?  color...texture...neutrals?  seeing all the choices...it is obvious that there is something for everyone...

sperry top sider

sperry top sider

hunter

coach

burberry

kamik

burberry

hunter

holiday dresses in black...

so here we are with my last post of ideas for holiday wear...hopefully you have rsvp'd to all your events...because you now have plenty to wear...my last post focuses on black dresses...whether strapless...backless...halter...short, long or somewhere in between...most of us have some hanging in our closets...why not rev them up...try a new pair of shoes with your dress...or a different necklace then you normally have worn with that dress...sometimes...all we need is a new accessory to revive a dress that has been ignored for a while...

here are some examples of holiday dresses in black from the fabulous finds consignment boutique...as always...if you see something you like...click on the link below the picture...and it will take you right to that item...but be sure to take a look at all we have...there are a lot more in the boutique...so happy shopping...

kenneth cole

georgio studio

ralph lauren

walter baker

white house black market

abs evening by allen schwartz

laundry by shelli segal

holiday dresses of the non-black kind...

yes...it is easy to don a gorgeous black dress...layer with accessories...fun pair of heels...and you are set for a holiday party...and while i will be featuring the infamous "little black dresses" tomorrow...today...i thought...why not focus on dresses of the non-black kind...

with holiday parties looming over us...sometimes...a kick of color does the trick...and yes...a fun red dress...or green...is festive as can be...don't limit yourself to only those two colors...think jewel tones...lovely frocks come in lots of colors...and sizes...as shown here...all from the fabulous finds consignment boutique...

so if you see something you like here...click on the link below the picture to take you right to that item...or search on the link above with "dress" and see the full inventory...but also think about the dresses that are hanging in your closet...could they possibly be pulled out...and worn to a festive holiday soiree?  tis the season...so go ahead...dress it up!

max and cleo

kenar

theory

laundry by shelli segal

hera

guess collection

talbots

donna ricco