come meet melissa fleis (project runway season 10 finalist)

aici (association of image consultants international) san francisco chapter is pleased to announce a fabulous event that is taking place next month...and you are welcome to join us!  for those avid project runway fans...you may remember the lovely melissa fleis from season 10...she was the runner up...and yes...she was my top choice for that season...i absolutely loved her style of design...

melissa will be our guest at an exclusive event...and we are opening it up to the public...just know...space is limited...so if you are interested in attending...click here...and register...

here are the details:

Join the Association of Image Consultants International-San Francisco Bay Area (AICI SFBA)

and Bloomingdale's for a very special evening with

MELISSA FLEIS, 

 finalist from Project Runway Season 10. 

 Melissa will talk about her experiences on the show, 

as well as share and show us her latest designs

Wednesday, July 17, 2013
$45.00 per person.

Check in and champagne at 6:30 pm.
Program 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

register here

space is limited...

let me know if you plan on being there...

would love to meet you as well!

holiday skirts...

yesterday i decided to do a week of holiday party attire...with today's focus on skirts...these are all currently in the fabulous finds consignment boutique...please do take a peak at all of our selections...but more then that...i am hoping to inspire you...and possibly remind you of items that you might already have in your closet...

when it comes to skirts during the holiday season...it is probably one of the easiest outfits to put together...all you need is a fun skirt...think texture...design...color...how about a velvet or leather, lace or brocade?  and with that...you can add a simple black tank top or turtleneck...(or crisp white blouse) whatever your preference...and some tights...and fabulous shoes or boots...and you are set!

if you see something you like below...just click on the link underneath the picture...and it will take you straight to that item...

inc silver grey silk skirt

linda allard ellen tracy olive green leather skirt

bloomingdales burgundy wool skirt

bcbg max azria black textured skirt

juliana collezione green silk skirt

juliana collezione victorian brocade with velvet trim

aici september kick-off event...

a few weeks back...i attended the aici (association of image consultants international) san francisco chapter september kick-off event...the event was held at one of my favorite places...bloomingdales in san francisco...thought i would share some of the highlights...like our lovely centerpieces...courtesy of bloomingdales...these were my favorites that i was lusting after...

and of course...how appropriate that the pair at my welcome table...was a polka dot dream...here i am preparing to welcome the guests...and doing my other "treasurer" duties...while admiring said shoes...everyone was convinced that they would be mine by the end of the evening...but alas...they are still at the store...

the evening was all about fall trends...and some of us were coerced volunteered to share our favorite fall trends...i decided on three...at one time...but it worked...without being a trend over load...
i chose fur...which you see on my vintage 80's jacket...sleeves trimmed with a luscious fox fur...a cluster of brooches on my jacket...and my "oxblood" booties...

most of the "models" like me...had pulled items out of their closets...which is always fun...when you can see what trends are coming out...what will work for your specific body and life style...and then have it already available in your closet...

the jacket i purchased about 2 years ago...great find at a church rummage sale...the brooches...i've had forever...picked up at flea markets...and my fun ankle booties...i purchased 3 years ago...so...look in your closet for those forgotten pieces that may be "just right"...right now!

and here i am with our lovely speaker...brenda kinsel...whom i love and adore...

color color color...

i was flipping through my march issue of california lifestyle magazine...and came across these lovelies...can you stand all the bright colors? doesn't it just make you yearn for spring & summer? and who can just stop at one?

phew...

looks like they are available at bloomingdales in lots of hues...michael by michael kors...i'm thinking a bright new handbag is definately in order to kick start this upcoming very bright & cheery season...

scanned by moi

the colored jean...

although this trend has been going strong for quite some time...i have yet to purchase my first pair of colored jeans...one reason...jeans are not an easy purchase for me...but mostly...how do you decide on just one color?

i clipped this pic below from a bloomingdales catalog...but i've seen them nicely lined up at j. crew...banana republic...pretty much every store that has jeans...i love seeing all the choices in color...

but i just can't decide...will it be purple?? red?? burnt orange??

les sigh...

have you got bitten by the colored jean trend? if so...what color did you decide on?

scanned by moi

you had me at hello: i'm feelin' kinda blue...

my name is elena...and i have a coat addiction...but i'm wondering...is it an addiction or just a love of beautiful coats? hmmm...

while i was flipping through a bloomingdales catalog...my eyes feasted on this lovely...i've never really gravitated towards blue...but this sweet maxi coat...had me at hello...a blue double -breasted maxi coat by nanette lepore...doesn't every coat collector need a blue one as well?

did you notice i went from having an addiction to being a collector of coats? has a nicer ring to it...either way...i'm not ashamed...the only problem is...i don't see this on the bloomingdales website...maybe i'm too late...

i wonder what started my love for blue?

the maxi coat by nanette lepore
scanned by moi

the high heeled loafer...

when i first saw pictures of the high heeled loafer with trends for fall...my first thought was...ok...that was my staple shoe in the late 80's...early 90's...during my corporate america days...truth be told...they were probably the most comfortable style...for me...as i was constantly traveling...or heading off to client appointments...basically my feet were not aching...

so...with that in mind...i didn't really gravitate to this "new" old trend...quickly...but now that i've seen it around a bit...i'm seeing some that i actually want...who knew? of course...my corporate america days are far behind me...but i could easily see these working in my current wardrobe...

like this perfect pair...swoon!

stuart weitzman "tassup" moc pumps
bloomingdales

i've even got a beautiful pair in the fabulous finds consignment boutique...if they were only my size...if you are a size 8 and love green...these are pretty fabulous...

via spiga green suede high heeled loafers
fabulous finds consignment boutique

april showers bring may flowers...

...and in our case here in the san francisco bay area...looks like the rain is continuing on in the month of may...les sigh...but...that doesn't mean we should be looking like we are dressed for winter...

so yes...we're all ready for the rains to go away...and hopefully they will soon enough...they do give us all those beautiful blossoms to enjoy...so why not join in? there's no reason to wear boring rain-wear when there are so many other options out there...take a look....

why not try one of these adorable umbrellas?

photo source: umbrellas.net

photo source: umbrellas.net

or maybe a colorful raincoat or anorak to replace your basic black or tan?

photo source: nordstrom

photo source: nordstom

add in some cheerful wellies and you're sure to brighten up anyones path that you cross!

photo source: boomingdales


photo source: bloomingdales

(excerpt from april/may newsletter)

11 in '11...

who is ready for spring? i for one...am...and have been...for quite some time...even more so...with this beautiful weather we have been hit with in the san francisco bay area...(sorry east coasters)

thought i would list 11 new spring trends in 2011...an excerpt from my february newsletter...enjoy!

11 in '11...

i don't know about you...but i love all the 'play' that happened early in the year with 1-1-11...so we'll just keep it going with the top 11 spring trends in '11:

1. structural suiting - the menswear suits that gained popularity last fall/winter are still with us...and now with a more fitted silhouette...

2. brights as accents - almost anything can benefit from a pop of color...

3. ladylike handbags - a la jackie o...

kate spade
photo source: nordstrom

4. statement necklaces & scarves - with mixed metals, studs, fringes, feathers - think texture...

5. techno fabrics - again with a metallic edge and texture...

6. belting - a statement belt or layered belts - all shapes and sizes are still 'in'...

7. wide-leg trousers - while your slim-leg trousers are still appropo...now the wide-leg pant is having a resurgence...70's style...

8. longer skirts - but just wearing any old long skirt won't cut it or you'll look frumpy...these skirts need to have lots of styling...

a skirt becomes 'frumpified' when it's not the right length (in this case, too long) or is worn with the wrong shoes...

voila!
photo source: bloomindales

9. animal print - surprise, surprise! yes...it's still around...and i think we can safely say it's not going anywhere for the forseeable future...i've said it before but it bears repeating...animal prints are a great neutral...they work with almost any color...

10. nude fishnets - what a great way to provide some leg camouflage when you don't want bare legs...

11. color of the year - honeysuckle pink...or whatever pink suits your complexion...if you aren't a 'pink' person...think of adding it as an accent item...

so which trend are you excited about trying? please share...

it's all about tights...

...when the weather is this nippy...and although i always have a good number of basic black tights...there truly is more to this hot trend than basic black...this is a great way to spice up an otherwise "dull" outfit...try a stylish solid color or a fun pattern...

when looking for "colored" tights...i always start with "we love colors"...you are sure to find the color of your heart's desire...department stores are carrying a wide selection of choices...i usually find several that i need to add to my ever growing number at bloomingdale's or nordstrom...

opaque tights are flattering to virtually every shape and size...play around with color - either match outfit, tights and shoes, or (if you're more bold, and have the shape for it) go for a contrasting tight...and most definately...add some textured tights...have fun with the season!

if you have a favorite place to pick up some new & exciting tights...please share...

men's corner: checkered out...

i don't know what it is about a colorful checkered shirt that makes me smile...it screams summer...comfort...fun...and coolness

gq listed some winners in my book...such an easy way to add that fun & pop of color to your wardrobe...just as easy to slip on as that old ratty t-shirt...seems like an easy choice for me...

gitman brothers vintage
available at bloomingdales

richard chai
available at odin

edward
available at odin

jack spade
available at jack spade

photo credit: elissa wiehn via gq.com

the perfect blazer...

instant respectability...maybe it's the crisp line of the well-sewn collar...or the gentle bend of a sleeve...maybe it's the essential masculinity of even the most feminine jacket or blazer that gives us that feeling of control...

the double-breasted blazer has its roots in naval history...the navy blazer is a stylized version of the british royal navy's "reefer" jacket and was invented by the captain of h.m.s. blazer to be worn by his crew on the eve of the coronation of queen victoria...

we use the more casual single-breasted version - an american cousin of the jacket worn by english university boating and cricket clubs...to dress up jeans or maintain the formality of a pair of trousers...

jackets build up our assets and hide our flaws...shoulder pads and fitted styles give shape...bulky "boyfriend" cuts allow us to be whatever we want inside their boxy silhouette...

pippa "madison" stretch cotton jacket
bloomingdales

as for style...it depends on yours...do you want the drama of a long, fitted hacking jacket? the easy...casual feel of a blazer? the perfect line of an attention-getting couture cut? is it form-fitting and short for saturday nites?

rachel roy signature platinum tweed chainlink jacket
bloomingdales

a well-cut jacket is the essential wardrobe item...and it should have a long and active life...spend the time and the money to get what works for you and your wardrobe...if you can get only one suit...choose style over trendiness...pick a color that can work with other pieces in your closet...look for quality fabric (preferably one that's seasonless)...and something so good you can't imagine ever loaning it...even to your best friend...

it's a cover-up...

there are so many wonderful ways to 'cover up' when you're walking to and from the pool or beach...you're only limited by imagination...of course...if you prefer...just a plain white shirt always works too...how do you cover up?

gottex sheer floral pareo
(bloomingdales)


dvf romper cover up
(bloomingdales)


ralph lauren halter dress cover up
(bloomingdales)


becca tunic cover up
(bloomingdales)


trina turk maxi dress...
nice because it can also be worn on it's own...
(nordstrom)


gottex mesh cover up skirt
(nordstrom)