you had me at hello: sporting some green leather...

something my close friends always tease me about...the color green...and stripes...because most times when i am out shopping...i tend to gravitate towards anything green...and stripes...many other things as well...but when i have items in my hands...my girlfriends will usually have the opportunity to say to me "oh look...green...what a surprise"...or "stripes? shocker"

but yet...i feel i am still unpredictable in my dress...even with green & stripes...guiding my way...

so can you imagine my delight when i was perusing my february issue of vogue...and saw this lovely? the color had me at hello...but then...when i inspected it closely...i realized this gorgeous top is leather!

is that not the most perfect shade of green? celine leather top...only $4,850...uh yeah...this "had me at hello" will remain in my dreams...

scanned by moi

is the iron lady on to something?

i read an interesting article this morning...that a fellow image consultant had posted on facebook...entitled "lessons from the iron lady" written by vivia chen in the careerist...

the article spoke of margaret thatchers "uniform" and what about it worked...how wearing a skirt vs a pant may help you in how you are perceived in the work place...

the whole conundrum of career dressing...needless to say...has really changed over the years...and sometimes...when i read articles such as this...i wonder...just how far along we have really come...

back in the day...when i was completely saturated in corporate america...my wardrobe of choice...every day...was a business suit...but even then...some 15 to 20 years ago...i never wore the basic black, brown or navy blue suit...did i have them? yes...but there was always color in my dress...and many times...my suits would be brighter colors...then the standard navy blue or black...this was my personal style...and it did not deter my climb up the corporate ladder...

but what is standard? and what makes it standard?

when i am working with career women...there is that fine line of not being "too sexy"...all at the same time of not being "too manly"...or worse...looking dowdy...personally...seems like there are too many "too's" to follow...but ultimately...i believe it is about finding your own personal style...and not conforming...to one way of dressing...

many will argue that clothes don't make the man (or woman)...but first impressions do exist...whether we like it or not...

what are your thoughts? do you think women today need to dress like a margaret thatcher look alike to get ahead? do you think women need to hide their feminine side? just asking these questions makes me feel like we are going backwards in time...

photo source

fashion funnies: stylists to the old masters...

a clip from french & saunders...and you thought this work was easy... =)



hope you are enjoying the weekend...

the challenge...

i've been talking about wanting to try my hand at sewing for quite some time...truth be told...i've been nervous to start...as the last time i sewed something...well...it was back in high school...and that was many many many years ago...although...at that time...i remember sewing a pantsuit...a pantsuit that fit me very well...

i wonder where that went? wish i still had it...but i digress...

one of my closest friends...has sewn occasionally...curtains...things like that...and one of the complaints that her & i always have...is finding that "oh so perfect" skirt in that "oh so perfect" fabric...that only exists in our head...so for the longest time we have been saying just that...we should make it ourselves...

well...saying it and doing it are two completely different things...at least for me...but...my girlfriend also knows that i am very competitive...and so...she in her brilliance...presented to me the challenge...

and of course...she knew i wouldn't say no...

so...we have decided to start with a pencil skirt...i think the judge will be my own mamacita...since she has been a seamstress her whole life...of course...i won't tell my mamacita that one of the participants is me...just to keep it fair...although i know in my heart of hearts that she would be fair...

so i am posting it on the blog...i guess to keep me accountable...

we have decided on the item...i guess next step will be finding a pattern that we both agree on...although i'm thinking...i need to start with the basics...like threading the sewing machine...although...i have been told...over and over...that it is like riding a bike...once i start...it will all come back to me...well...we shall see...

i'm super nervous...but excited for the challenge...any tips for me?

photo source

styling in the kitchen...

check out the lovely i received under my christmas tree this last year...i have to say...i have been feeling very stylish in the kitchen as of late...and it has to do with my new apron...

i had been looking for months...yes months...to find the "right" apron...that would go with my kitchen...but more then that...that would go with my style...many of the ones i was seeing...were...well...not me...

well...my dear friend had been on several shopping trips where i would check out aprons...and critique why each one was just not right...well...she listened... =)
black & white...AND polka dots...pure heaven...

do you put much thought into your apron? do you even use one?

come to think of it...i've got some vintage ones stored away somewhere...maybe i should pull those out...

"modern world" stacy lomman new york...

the lovely stacy lomman is feverishly working on her fall 2012 collection...and we can help in being a part of this fabulous collection...personally...i have loved (and coveted) pieces from each collection that she has done so far...but this takes the cake...as seen below...feast your eyes on the long faux ostrich vest which will be seen in this fall 2012 collection...i mean really...the sketch alone is already making me drool...can you imagine the real thing?

so...stacy has been busy busy busy...

"Over the past year and a half, amazing things have happened. I've been featured in WWD, Dstripped magazine, LIFE.com, and interviewed by the Huffington Post, CBS News and Tenacity Radio's, "Got Style?". I am also a finalist in the women's ready-to-wear category for the Fashion Group International's, 2012 Rising Star Awards (winner to be announced on Jan. 26th)"

i was going to go into an explanation of how hard it is to get a collection out these days...or for that matter...to run any small business...but wendy brandes did a most wonderful write-up in the huffington post..."the agony and ecstasy of a small business" let's do our part and support stacy...support "made in the u.s.a."...every little bit helps...can you imagine if we all gave up one or two lattes...how easy is that?

when you are ready...here is stacy's kickstarter link...we only have until sunday january 29th...every little bit helps!

photo source

banana republic & trina turk...

...are collaborating together for a summer 2012 collection...

the news came out yesterday: banana republic to debut limited-edition collection with designer trina turk summer 2012

i usually don't get too excited about collaborations...but...trina turk brings in the lovely bright colors that banana republic hasn't had too much of...will you be checking it out?


photo source

the fashion world of jean paul gaultier...

here is something to look forward to..."the fashion world of jean paul gaultier: from the sidewalk to the catwalk" will be shown at the san francisco de young museum...starting march 24th through august 19, 2012...this will be a must see for me...

the de young museum website describes the exhibit as such...

"Dubbed fashion’s enfant terrible, Jean Paul Gaultier launched his first prêt-à-porter collection in 1976 and founded his own couture house in 1997. Emerging as a designer in the 1980s, he developed his own dress codes that reflected the changing world around him. The openly gay Gaultier uses his designs to tackle gender and transgender issues through androgynous, gender-bending styles, meanwhile delving even further into some of the darker areas of the sexual revolution. Always provocative, he addresses issues of multiculturalism by bringing ethnic diversity to the Paris runway. Despite the gritty and sometimes controversial context of his collections, the clothes remain beautiful, superbly crafted with the finest dressmaking and detailing skills.

This dynamic, multimedia exhibition will include 120 haute couture and prêt-à-porter designs created between the early 1970s and 2010, along with numerous sketches, archival documents, fashion photographs, and video clips that spotlight Gaultier’s collaborations with filmmakers, choreographers, and musicians, most notably Madonna. For this presentation, Gaultier partnered with the Montreal-based theater company Ubu Compagnie de Création in the design of 30 animated mannequins who talk and sing in playful and poetic vignettes."

will you be planning to see this exhibit?

photo credit

shopping for that difficult item...

do you have that one thing (or two or three) that you absolutely hate shopping for? it's not that you hate the item...but the torture of going through the exercise of finding the right one...

for me...that item is jeans...i've always had a hard time finding jeans that fit right...so for this example...i will use "jeans" as the difficult item...

so whatever that item is...and if you are still on the hunt for it...devote a day to going from store to store and trying on every pair of jeans...just jeans...nothing else...you can look at dresses another day...or hunt for shoes at yet another time...

the key is to really focus in on this one item...and only that...and trying them on doesn't mean just slipping into a pair...looking over your shoulder at your tush...and saying they're fine...trying them on means standing...walking...and sitting in them...as well as looking at them from every possible angle...

a pattern of what looks best on you will eventually emerge...most important...which jeans make you feel good? which ones make you shudder in horror? (that would be low-rise for me) the ones that make you smile and feel just right are the ones to buy...

use this shopping trick for everything...dresses, tops, sweaters, pants and bras...if you stay focused on shopping for that one difficult item...you will be successful...

what is your difficult item to shop for?

client praise: why i love what i do...

so at the end of last year...my girlfriend was having a family dinner...i'm thinking it was thanksgiving...but not sure...her family during dinner...decided to go around the table and say something that they were wanting for the new year...when it got to her brother...he mentioned that he would like to start dating...

so my girlfriend...being the lovely sister that she is...decided to gift my services to him...to help assess his wardrobe and help in any way i can...

her brother is an extremely smart young man...and the reason i bring that up...is the fact that he has aspergers...and i have such respect for people that fight the odds...the obstacles...and make a wonderful life for themselves...he is successful in every area of his life...graduated from a very prominent university...holds a great job that allows him to travel outside of the country...

the only thing missing was a fun dating life...and i...was so excited to be part in helping him with his wardrobe...

so i went over and met with him for the first time...he was shy...but so excited for this new adventure...i did several shopping trips for him and was ready to show him what i had come up with...and once we picked out the pieces that would work...created his very own look book...and he was set to go...

fast forward about three months...and his sister tells me that he now has a girlfriend...i cannot tell you how this warmed my heart...let's be honest...clothes aren't the whole piece to a puzzle...but when one is dressed right...meaning clothes that fit...and clothes that are put together...there is a confidence in that...and confidence is a pretty powerful force...at least i think so...

fashion funnies: calories...

for those times you wondered what was happening to the clothes in your closet... =)

happy weekend! may it be fabulous!

photo source

the unrealistic views of beauty...

"A magazine dedicated to plus-size fashion and models has sparked controversy with a feature claiming that most runway models meet the Body Mass Index criteria for anorexia."

as i was reading this article...i thought of all the friends...clients...even myself at times...verbalize what one wished was different about them...the thing is...i hear this from women that are size 0 to women who are size 18...the average woman is a size 14 and our plus size models are a size 6-12? does this make sense? i have even heard some in the industry call a person that wears a size 12...a plus size...let me just say it now...being a size 12...is not plus size...but that could be a whole separate post...we are bombarded with magazines...television...all sorts of media mode that "tell us" what beauty is...and what an "ideal" weight or size is...and well...most buy into it...

the article went on to say..."Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less."

and if you still aren't convinced that the pictures we see...are so far from reality...take a look at this clip...although it pokes fun at it...reality is...that even those beautiful size 0 models are photo-shopped...



true perfection is embracing the "you" that you are...wearing clothing that suit your personality...that is the right fit...and walking with confidence...my friend posted this on her wall the other day...and when i read it...i thought...exactly!

"You see the woman across the room, and you think, she's so poised; she's so together. But she looks at you and you are the woman across the room for her." Diane von Furstenberg. So true! Be confident - be that woman. And know that everyone is dealing with some sort of insecurity - it's all in HOW you deal with it.

photo source

men's corner: statement shoes...

i read an interesting article this morning in the wall street journal..."spring shoes for men step brightly"...apparently...there are a lot of crazy...err...different options coming out this spring...my question is...who will take the bait? (do go to the article and watch the slide show to see all the designs...)

the shoe listed below...i can think of maybe one of my men clients who might consider these...and that is a HUGE "might"...as for the rest of my clients...although i am always trying to get them to step out of the box a little...you know...find their own personal style...but shoes that have metal spikes spurting out of them...not so much...christian louboutin or not...(watch the video to see these...)

while i love the idea of giving men more options...personally...i may be wrong...but i don't see this as a trend that will take off...the article compared the shoes to that of the shoe craze from "sex and the city"...women...are always more adventurous...shall i say? with trying out new trends...

so what say you men? am i off my rocker? would you try these out? and to the ladies...would you buy these for your significant other? would love to hear your thoughts!

photo source: f. martin ramin for the wall street journal

you had me at hello: in a striped kind of way...

we have been having some incredible weather here in northern california...tomorrow is estimated to be a nice 65 degrees...while i'm all for warm weather...i'm missing out on wearing any of my winter clothes...all those wool tweeds...heavy sweaters...

even the magazines are boasting of warmer weather...such as this lovely..i'm almost thinking my obsession with stripes...is almost as big as my obsession for anything leopard print...it hasn't died down yet...stripes get my attention...

can you imagine wearing this lovely striped number in spring? it had me at hello from the first moment my eyes saw it...i'm thinking not only would it be lovely in spring...but lovely on me in spring...

giorgio armani
neiman marcus
scanned by moi - vogue - january issue

my personal fashion resolutions for 2012...

last week when i set out to write my annual post on fashion resolutions...where i ask my readers to submit their own changes that they are looking to make for the new year...i do this for two main reasons...i think there is something powerful about making a statement of what your intentions are...even in your wardrobe...and also...i think that sometimes...the changes one decides to make...then inspires others to make changes as well...

which to me...is not a bad thing...at all...although it seems as each year...there is less participation...whether that be the stigma that the word "resolution" has for some...or maybe it is for a whole set of other reasons...i will still continue to ask the question...every year...

so while i was preparing the post...i of course took a look back on my own fashion resolutions...the first year...in 2010 this is what i wrote...

as for me...my fashion resolution is to really think about each purchase...and buy only what i truly love...and really to work within my own closet...shop in my closet...and rework items i have currently in a new way...and continue to buy vintage...and shoes!

kind of a no-brainer...especially the shoe part...the easiest thing for me to do is to justify why i need a new pair of shoes...and why "this" pair is different from all the others...so basically i did what i said i would do...

then came 2011 fashion resolutions...and here is what i wrote:

my resolution is to REALLY clean out my closet...yes...even i get lazy...get rid of the items that i know i won't be wearing...continue with my resolution from last year...because...i tell you...when you buy what you truly love...not just what is "a good deal" or "it'll do"...it makes a huge difference in the morning...when you are getting ready...trust me! and...i could use a few more vintage pieces...and shoes...

when i first read this...i thought to myself..."wow...i didn't do what i said i was going to do" but the more i thought about it...i realized that i needed to cut myself some slack...is my closet where i would like it to be? uh...no...

confession...i...just like my clients...sometimes have a hard time getting rid of things...i would almost call myself a clothes hoarder...almost...so...no...my closet is not the "cleaned out" version i see in my head...but it is getting there...

part of what has made it easier...is the fact that i truly do not buy an item unless i absolutely love it...and incorporate it into my wardrobe in several different ways...something that i am always telling my clients...something that i didn't always do...hence...my very packed...3 closets =)

in 2011...i started looking at the pieces in my closet in new ways...different ways of wearing items that just hung there...for a long time...and i did get rid of a lot of clothes...but i still have a lot of clothes...

my point being...resolutions...like goals...are something to work towards...so even if you have made baby steps...pat yourself on the back...because each change that you make...leads you one step closer to your goal...

so as i continue in 2012 to "clean" out the closet...and being very particular at what i bring in...every day...i am one step closer to my ultimate goal of my dream closet...it is just taking a little bit longer then i had anticipated...but each new small step...that has become a habit...is helping me keep it manageable...

put together: in black & white...

one of the easiest ways to put an outfit together...and look very well put together...is the lovely combination of black & white...so simple...yet always chic...always classic...always right...

top and pants - ralph lauren black label
bag - valentino garavani


blouse, pants & shoes - dolce & gabbana
belt - salvatore ferragamo

photos scanned by moi
harpers bazaar - november 11 issue

fashion funnies: belt heights...

enjoy the weekend...

dan reynolds comics

fashion resolutions 2012...

ok...i have to say...not a lot of participation this year...again...i am not sure if it is the word "resolutions" that makes many cringe...i don't necessarily love the word...but i do love what it represents...at least for me...it is a goal...a target...a new habit to form...which for me constitutes a good thing...but...i'm starting to think i'm the minority...

but for those who participated...i thank you...not only for putting it out there...because then i feel it is a step toward accountability...but also...what a great way to inspire someone else who is wanting to make a change...and by hearing yours...takes that first step...

so here are some of the fashion resolutions that some of my readers are making...in no particular order...(these were submitted via twitter, facebook, blog, email...AND i even asked some random people while i was out and about...enjoy and be inspired...

@thestyleconfess - "I need to put more dresses in my wardrobe and find a blouse or two that I love"

janice - "Get rid of things that don't make me feel GREAT!"

matt - "Replace my tennis shoes with nice casual shoes"

deedee - "Style my hair differently"

déjà pseu - "Replace my black business wear with taupe and grey (and color accents)"

rosalinda - "Know that Not every fashion trend must be purchased."

creighton - "To wear something besides Reeboks and New Balance on my feet. I've even resorted to having our HR Goddess help me choose."

thomas - "Retire my old pair of jeans for something a little bit more updated"

laurie - "Weed, weed, weed.out.the.stuff.that.i.don't.wear"

jolie - "Very little black, lots of color, more prints, more skirts with boots."

rebecca - "To get a proper bra fitting!"

angie - "Wear more accessories"

**update**
rec'd a few more fashion resolutions on my newsletter...thought i would add them here as well

kerry - "My fashion new year's resolution is to get stylish work outfits for my staging jobs. Need a good looking athletic shoe and clothing."

karen - "my new year's resolution is to track down and buy those essential pieces that Elena suggested to pull together my client-interview wardrobe."

sara - "My promise to myself for this year is to be on time, if not a bit early, for everything, every day! This is fairly new and so far not as successful as I'd like! I also would like to put together more elegant yet comfortable outfits for work and play!"

aren't these great? i'm thinking i may add some of these to my own list...had some fun looking over the last two years of these posts...especially my own resolutions...the first year i kept it to the letter...last year...well...i think i will reveal my thoughts on a separate post...and also let you know what my personal fashion resolutions are...

if you want to get in and add yours...just leave it in the comments...the resolution part is never too late to start...in fact...any day is a good day to start making positive changes...the key is to do it...even if it takes baby steps...

men's corner: make a statement with your socks...

you read it in all the fashion magazines...see it in the stores...all this talk about statement pieces...for women...that could range from a statement ring...to a statement necklace...you get the idea...

so men...let's make a statement...with our socks...yes...you may have the occasional subtle stripe or paisley print on your socks...but why not take it up a notch? with some bold colors and pattern...such a fun way to put a little kick in your wardrobe...

and for added kick...do a little mixing and matching of patterns with your dress shirt and/or tie...when done right...it is quite the chic look...

lorenzo uomo 'thick stripe' socks

ted baker repeated spot calf length socks

lorenzo uomo 'rugby argyle' socks

all photos: nordstrom.com

guest post: re-inventing your accessories...

my lovely friend and fellow stylist...dana lynch...had a wonderful article in her monthly newsletter...so i asked if she wouldn't mind sharing it on my blog as a guest post...and being the lovely that she is...she of course said yes...be sure to check out her website elements of image and follow her on twitter as well...she is located in denver, colorado...so if you are in that area and looking for a fabulous image consultant...look no further!



Do you always wear your accessories the same way? To change your look and get more mileage out of your jewelry, scarves, gloves, etc., I encourage you to look at your accessories in a new way. Here are a few ideas to get you started. You DIY types (you know who you are,) can go crazy with this!

Antique brooches strung on a gold or silver chain creates a whole new necklace.

The same pin can be attached to a long strand of faux pearls gives the everyday pearls a bit of sparkle. Or why not pin a scarf?

Do you have large button earrings left from the '80's? Try them on the collar of a casual shirt for a funky vibe.

Combine dressy scarves with casual clothes. Have fun mixing patterns!

Incorporate colorful gloves into your outfit for an outing when there's a tiny chill in the air.

Layer your necklaces. Get creative and go for combinations you normally wouldn't. The only hard, fast rule is for your necklaces to be varied lengths.




These are just a few ideas. Take even just a half hour; pull out all of your accessories and let your imagination run wild! You'll freshen up your wardrobe and you won't have spent a dime!

the long and the short of it...

it cracks me up when i suggest to a friend or client...when shopping...that a skirt might look better if it was longer or shorter...depending on the skirt and person of course...and then i walk over and show them...by adjusting the length on the skirt a bit...and the person is amazed at the difference...

alterations to me...can be the difference between an ok look...and a fabulous look...when you start thinking that that skirt is made...and then tried on by say...a woman who is 5'4" and another who is 5'8"...how can that skirt stay the same length...and look good on both?

when trying on looks...like skirts...even dresses...get in the habit of going into the dressing room and playing with the lengths...this means...lifting and lowering the hemline until you find the right length for you...

and while we are at it...shoes then play a big role in this as well...when trying to decide as to which shoes to wear with a skirt or dress of a particular length...the general rule is flats for long skirts...heels for short...but you know how i feel about rules...

train your eye to look for the right hem/shoe combination...and if you aren't sure...ask a stylist and/or tailor...

photo source

we are starting the year off...

with a sale...i mean...why not? currently...fabulous finds consignment boutique is bursting at the seams with lovelies in all shapes, sizes and colors...and i thought...why not offer a sale exclusively to my twitter, facebook & blog followers...

so...starting today (actually yesterday) through sunday january 8...everything in the boutique is 25% off...so...if you have been eyeing something for a while...now is your time to jump on it...

oh...and even better...use it as much as you like...buy 2 items...they are both 25% off...and so on...and so on...and for an added bonus...if you spend over $50.00...shipping will be free... =)

now...it requires a little bit of work on your side...sorry...the way for you to get your item with your discount is to send me an email...so...once you are looking at an actual item that you want...click on the button that says "ask seller a question" and send me a note stating that "this is the item"...i will then adjust the listing for you...and voila...we will be ready for some serious shopping...

click on the link below...and it will take you right to the boutique...keep in mind...that all the categories do not show up on the main page...but if you click on the top right "categories" it will give you a drop down menu to see all that is in the boutique...for example...men's corner & plus size...

so...happy shopping!


fabulous finds consignment boutique