fashion funnies: you are what you wear...

saw this lovely comic strip in last weeks sunday paper...sf chronicle...

you are what you wear:  (...whatever that means)

a.  brimming with confidence

b.  fitness enthusiast

c.  behind in laundry

d.  comfortable

e.  overscheduled mom who ran out of bread while packing lunches and has to run out to the store at the last minute

enjoy your weekend!

scanned by moi
between friends comics
sandra  bell lundy

the 8 questions to ask yourself for a closet with endless possibilities...

do you dream of having a closet with endless possibilities?  while the pic below...is a close representation of what i would like my closet to look like...currently...my space does not allow it...but...no matter the size of your closet...YOU can still have a closet with endless possibilities...a closet full of "keepers"...

so...how does one achieve this?  it starts with answering some questions...truthfully... =)  while you may have some pieces in your closet that are fabulous...if you are not wearing them...how fabulous can they really be?  perhaps they were fabulous at one time...but your life style has changed...possibly you have changed...whatever the reason is...if you aren't currently wearing it...why is it in your closet?  so here are some questions to ask yourself...and remember...by telling the truth...you will be able to move past mistakes...has-beens...clutter...and end up with a closet that suits you...perfectly...

does it fit, NOW?

tell the truth!  is this something that a little diet and exercise will do in a month or two...or have you been telling yourself for years...that you plan to get back into this item?  by the time you lose the weight...this item may not be in style...move out the things that don't fit...and free up space...

does it flatter my figure?

has your figure gone through some changes?  perhaps you have items in your closet that at one time...served their purpose...but now...are either too boxy...too long...too short...fill in the blanks...think of the new shapes and silhouettes that will flatter your figure today...

does it make me feel sexy, attractive or confident?

if the answer is yes...then this is a keeper...and better yet...make sure that it is put into a constant rotation of items to be worn...and if a piece makes you feel dull...dowdy or invisible...why why why is it still hanging in your closet?  get rid of it...stat!

does it bring out my favorite qualities?

clothes are an amazing thing...in that they can really shine on qualities that you possess...are you flirty and fun?  are you edgy?  classic?  bohemian and laid back?  whatever YOU are...your clothes should reflect those qualities...

was it made for me or someone else?

oh...this is a touchy one!  perhaps your friend or mom...(whoever) gave you a piece of clothing...whether it was a swap...a gift...doesn't matter...but if that piece of clothing describes more of the giver then the receiver...it is not a keeper...there is a big difference between...just okay...and just right!

is this the right piece for my current life style?

if you take a peak into your closet...and see clothes that fit a life style you no longer have...why why why are you keeping these items?  when i left corporate america...i had a closet full of suits...starting my business...and working from home...my life style didn't require suits any longer...while i kept a few...there was no reason to open up the doors to my closet and see it packed with suits...it was not my current life style...

has it lost its luster?

at one time...this piece may have been your favorite...but after a while...with cleanings...and wear...fabric does lose its pizazz...as much as you love it...time to replace...

would i buy it again?

this is a biggie!  let go of the guilt...of buying something that was a "great deal" or an impulse buy...if it is truly a piece that you would never even consider buying now-a-days...it shouldn't be in your closet...

after answering these questions honestly...and getting rid of what you know you need to get rid of...you are on your way to that closet of endless possibilities...and if this task seems a bit overwhelming...a wardrobe stylist may be just what you need...

photo source

spring/summer trends 2012 currently in...

fabulous finds consignment boutique

as i've been sharing all the spring summer trends for this year...i thought i would show examples from the consignment boutique...over 850 items...nope...that wasn't a typo...lots to choose from...in every color, shape and size...if you haven't peaked lately...you are missing out!  

so to recap...some of the spring/summer 2012 trends...

patterned pants

graphic print

bright colors

pastels

neon

color blocking

florals

colored jeans

wedges/espadrilles

men's corner: the basic black shoe...

a shoe can make or break an outfit...this applies to both men...and women...but let's face it...not all of us can have...or much less want a closet full of shoes...i of course...am cringing as i type that...for it certainly does not fall into my line of thinking...but there are those...un-like me...who only want the basics...

as was the case for my client's step-son...he was venturing out into the corporate world...and wanted some help with his wardrobe...including shoes...but of course...he was on a budget...and well...truth be told...it was more the step-mom who was wanting this little shopping trip for him...not so much him...

but...as always...with the clients that don't like to shop...i try and pre-shop as much as i can...so that the experience is a pleasurable one...and not a whole day event...so for someone starting out...it truly is back to basics...and when it came to the shoe...my first choice...was and is...the black lace-up...

pretty much...every man...should have a pair in his closet...no if's, and's or buts about it...this basic shoe...can be dressed up or down...which is always good for someone with a small shoe collection...and best of all...it can go with your dressier slacks...but also with your jeans...

doesn't that sound like a win-win?  a shoe that does it all...well...almost...

kenneth cole new york 'meet the family' derby
nordstrom

fashion funnies: swimsuit discount...

enjoy the weekend!

photo source - unknown

you had me at hello: balmain me...

i have not had a "you had me at hello" moment in quite some time...that is...until my july issue of elle arrived on my doorstop...and this beauty was on the front cover...no not selena gomez...although she is a beauty...but would you take a look at the gorgeous embroidered lambskin top by balmain?

i actually gasped...out loud...on this one...i would love to see it up close and personal...of course it reads "price on request"...which translated means...i can't afford it...but i can dream...right?

scanned by moi

it's official...

happy first day of summer...

photo source

men's corner: the white t-shirt...

what can one say about the classic white tee?  it is truly a staple in any man's closet...worn alone...with blazer...or under a dress shirt...the key is to find your favorite fit...and then stock up...does the brand matter?  i think what matters most is comfort...fit...and softness...of course...

but one thing that happens...so often...is that these lovely staples are not replaced...let's face it men...they need to be replenished...at least once a year...beyond the normal wear on them...which in time...they will loose their luster...and elasticity...

and do you really want to be wearing some dingy old t-shirt underneath a nice dress shirt?  it doesn't matter if no one sees...you see!  get in the habit of checking them...and replacing them...and don't just stop at the white ones... =)

photo source

going for the print...

as i was doing a little shopping with my niece today...i couldn't help noticing all the lovely prints that are currently out...while the floral prints are pretty noticeable...and available in dresses...tops...and pants...don't limit yourself to that...

such a fun way to express yourself in prints...why not step out of the box and try something new?  perhaps a  beautiful bird print or butterflies...both to surely showcase some lovely colors...but again...a step away from the florals...

perhaps you want to flaunt your inner foodie...you can indulge that side of you...and find something in zucchini, chili pepper or sunflower prints... 

as you can see in the examples below...when it comes to prints...your options are endless...

java tunic dress
j crew

this anchors dress made me smile...what a fun way to show your nautical side...

dizzy anchors dress
j crew

where does your fun lie?  and what print would best express it?

happy father's day...

wishing all the father's a fabulous day!

photo source

fashion funnies: how to buy a bathing suit...

this was sent to me via email from my good friend judy...talk about a good laugh...not sure where the email originated...but for all of us who have been there...may this put a smile on your face...

When I was a child in the 1970s, the bathing suit for the mature figure was-boned, trussed and reinforced, not so much sewn as engineered.  They were built to hold back and uplift, and they did a good job.

Today's stretch fabrics are designed for the prepubescent girl with a figure carved from a potato chip.  The mature woman has a choice, she can either go up front to the maternity department and try on a floral suit with a skirt, coming away looking like a hippopotamus that escaped from Disney's Fantasia, or she can wander around every run-of-the-mill department store trying to make a sensible choice from what amounts to a designer range of fluorescent rubber bands.

What choice did I have?  I wandered around, made my sensible choice and entered the chamber of horrors known as the fitting room.  The first thing I noticed was the extraordinary tensile strength of the stretch material.  The Lycra used in bathing costumes was developed, I believe,  by NASA to launch small rockets from a slingshot, which gives the added bonus that if you manage to actually lever yourself into one, you would be protected from shark attacks.  Any shark taking a swipe at your passing midriff would immediately suffer whiplash.

I fought my way into the bathing suit, but as I twanged the shoulder strap in place I gasped in horror, my boobs had disappeared!

Eventually, I found one boob cowering under my left armpit.  It took a while to find the other.  At last I located it flattened beside my seventh rib.

The problem is that modern bathing suits have no bra cups.  The mature woman is now meant to wear  her boobs spread across her chest like a speed bump.  I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the mirror to take a full view assessment.

The bathing suit fit all right, but unfortunately it only fitted those bits of me willing to stay inside it.  The rest of me oozed out rebelliously from top, bottom and sides.  I looked like a lump of Playdough wearing undersized cling wrap.

As I tried to work out where all those extra bits had come from, the prepubescent sales girl popped her head through the curtain, "Oh, there you are," she said, admiring the bathing suit.

I replied that I wasn't so sure and asked what else she had to show me.  I tried on a cream crinkled one that made me look like a lump of masking tape, and a floral two-piece that gave the appearance of an oversized napkin in a serving ring.

I struggled into a pair of leopard-skin bathers with ragged frills and came out looking like Tarzan's Jane, pregnant with triplets and having a rough day.

I tried on a black number with a midriff fringe and looked like a jellyfish in mourning.

I tried on a bright pink pair with such a high cut leg I thought I would have to wax my eyebrows to wear them.

Finally, I found a suit that fit, it was a two-piece affair with a shorts-style bottom and a loose blouse-type top.  It was cheap, comfortable, and bulge-friendly, so I bought it.  My ridiculous search had a successful outcome, I figured.

When I got it home, I found a label that read, "Material might become transparent in water."

So, if you happen to be on the beach or near any other body of water this year and I'm there too, I'll be the one in cut-off jeans and a T-shirt!

You'd better be laughing or rolling on the floor by this time.  Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain, with or without a stylish bathing suit! 

photo source

good-bye sweet chester...

this last tuesday evening...i had to do one of the hardest things ever...saying good-bye to my sweet chester...who has been in my life for 22 years...22 years of loving and cuddling...the only thing that makes this a little easier...is that i know he had a fabulous & spoiled life...as all our furry friends should...

so i thought...why not dedicate one post to sweet chester...so all of you can see his beautiful coat that he wore daily... =)

you are...and will be missed...have fun in kitty heaven!

shrimpton/marketa limited edition clutches...

what can be better then mixing a little vintage with contemporary...introducing the shrimpton/marketa "limited edition" clutches...les sigh...so many colors to choose from...click here to see them all...vintage fabric from shrimpton couture collaborating with new york bag designer marketa psenickova...

photo credit

basically...every bag incorporates a vintage fabric detailing used for the interior pocket material...cherie...the owner of "shrimpton couture"...one of my most favorite places to shop for vintage...has personally selected the interior vintage fabrics...cut whole cloth from unusable vintage dresses that are beyond repair...

i don't know about you...but that seems like a great way to re-use some beautiful pieces from days of old...

put together: a little color & a dash of patterns...

every once in a while...i see an ad that just makes me happy...what would be in such an ad?  a little bit of color...and a little bit of mixing patterns...how fun & fabulous is this outfit...put together brilliantly for trina turk...les sigh...

scanned by moi

fashion funnies: passing dress inspection...

this was in last sunday's san francisco chronicle...do you pass dress inspection?

gentleman is singing while getting dressed...

laaaah tee taaaaa...et voila!

gentleman sips coffee...buttons up shirt...

kisses the wife...

and...

wife:  wait!! you can't wear that shirt and suit together!  and where did you find that tie??!!

wife adjusts tie:  there...now you look presentable...

later in the office...

colleague:  john - you're a bit late for this meeting, aren't you?

john:  i know...i didn't pass dress inspection

for better or for worse

wishing you a fabulous weekend

fit fit fit...

probably one of the most neglected aspects in dressing...the wearing of clothes that are either too big...or too small...and believe me...neither one is good...what is it about the size of a garment that has so many women squeezing into a size that is clearly not right for them?

i recently went shopping with a client...and while she "normally" wears a size 8...this one particular dress she tried on...in a size 8...did not flatter her...so i had her try on the size 10...and the dress flowed so beautifully on her body...she...however...was stuck on the size 10...

so we talked about it...in length...and the bottom line came to...would you rather be wearing a dress...that had a size 8 label...that didn't flatter you...or wear the same dress...in a size 10...that actually made you look like you were a size 6?

and then you have the mindset of...if i wear clothes that are bigger on me...and not close to my body...it will somehow hide my size...the problem with that...is that usually...bigger clothes make you look...well bigger...who wants that?  

fit is crucial...crucial...crucial...i have always told my clients...if the number on the label bothers you...cut it out...because ultimately...it is not the number on the inside label that no one sees...it is how that piece looks on you...

inspiration: be faithful...

photo source unknown

finding that perfect swimsuit...

i don't know very many women that love to go shopping for swimsuits...shoes...yes...swimsuits...um...debatable...the thing is though...if you really take some time...and think about your body...and be willing to try on...many suits...that perfect swimsuit can be found...

photo source

so i hope you noticed the "key" to finding the perfect swimsuit...it has to come after evaluating your body...whether you have no hips...shapely hips...short waist...long waist...all these things will come into play...swimsuits have been made for every shape and size...in every budget...and many...will help create the shape you want...without having to go on the latest juice diet...really...

here are some great choices (with pictures) to get you going...from instyle.com summer fashion 2012 "find your perfect swimsuit"

fashion funnies: birthday suit alterations...

enjoy the weekend!

photo source unknown