how to incorporate new trends via a scarf...

an easy way to add a new trend to your already fabulous style...perhaps a trend that you like...but want to step into lightly...is via a scarf...a scarf to begin with...is already a great way to add style to an outfit...for the spring/summer season...you want to think about light weight scarves...such as in linen, cotton, silk or a blend of these...

say for example you are loving that pastels are big this season (which they are...along with bold bright colors) but you aren't really keen on getting big pieces in pastel...finding a scarf in your favorite pastel color is all you need...add it to your neutrals...your plain white tees...or mix it in with some brights...and you have just incorporated a new trend in your wardrobe...without going all out...

infinity scarf
j crew

the same would work in a bold color...you don't need to buy a whole pant suit in a bold color (unless of course that is your style)...just find that perfect bold color in a scarf...

perhaps you are interested in playing with prints...but feeling a bit timid...here are some fun examples of adding a fun geometric or floral print...doesn't it add just the perfect amount of fun to an outfit?

echo geo wrap
nordstrom

liberty floral scarf
j crew

kate spade chevron stripe scarf
nordstrom

such an easy way to bring your basics to life...or baby steps to trying out a new trend...a scarf is easy and the choices are limitless...

just doing my job...

yes...a good deal of my job is spent in client closets...and another big part is spent in departments stores, boutiques...malls...so it is important for me to know what is in stores...pretty frequently...and while i make a habit of perusing the stores...usually by myself...it is a whole lot funner when it is with a group of like-minded women...

the aici (association of image consultants) san francisco chapter will occasionally put together what we call a "walk-about"...where a different location is chosen each time...and we have a little guided tour set-up for us...this last week...we had such a walk-about in santana row - san jose...

and let me tell you...there are some nice perks that come along with this already fun day...many of the stores that choose to participate will offer up presentations for us...discounts...discounts for clients...and other fun goodie bags...

here is our group from last week...surrounded by...well...kate spade handbags...can you think of anything better?  it was a fun day to catch up...brainstorm...and of course...shop!

and when a boutique welcomes us with champagne & macaroons...well...i am pretty much all ears... =) as anne fontaine did for us...yes...i had a glass...and one macaroon...pistachio...

we ended the day at an outdoor mexican restaurant...chips & margaritas...more laughter...and lots of chit chat...all in all...a hard day's work...after all...i'm just doing my job...

choosing your stripes...

yes...stripes have been "in" for quite some time...and they will continue to be "in" this season...and for many seasons to come...why?  stripes are fun!  and therefore a good investment for years to come...

now choosing the color of stripes...in black and white it's classic...in navy and white it's nautical...in yellow and turquoise it's playful...red and black stripes...dramatic...but don't just stop with your tees...

...for a striped handbag as shown below is always ultra fabulous!

pacific heights sloan
kate spade

april showers got you down?

"april showers bring may flowers"

"there is no sun without the rain"

while i agree whole-heartedly with the above statements...i'm not much of a fan of the rain...especially when it should be sunny outside...isn't that what spring is all about?  but april showers do exist...and while it is spring...do put away all your drab winter rain gear...celebrate spring...even through the april showers...

here are some fabulous ways to put a little spring in your rain filled day...april showers got you down?  these are sure to bring a smile to your face...and everyone around you!

no reason to be carrying around a blah black umbrella...add some color...or a fun graphic print...or both!

kate spade new york "pop art" check umbrella
nordstrom

no reason to be running around fretting if you are going to accidently step into a puddle...or maybe you want to...go running through a few puddles...sure to lift your spirit...but make sure you are set with a nice pair of rainboots...how fun are these? colorful & with polka dots...

chooka "classical dot" rain boot
nordstrom

and if nothing else...at least go for a fun raincoat...nothing brighter then a nice spot of color on a dark & grey day...

ilse jacobsen hornbaek hooded raincoat
nordstrom 

inspiration: playing dress-up...

"i think that playing dress-up begins at age five 

& never truly ends" 

~ kate spade

enjoy your weekend!!

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...

going for the bronze...

of course all strive for the gold...

although getting the bronze 

is just as wonderful 

a feat...

and another wonderful addition 

to your wardrobe...

here...some beautiful 

bronze ideas...

not all at once!

going for the bronze... by fabufinds featuring a metallic jacket

black & white is always right...

has there ever been a more elegant pairing then black & white? seriously...you cannot go wrong...so...did you happen to catch this fabulous editorial in the september issue of "more" magazine? feast your eyes on these beauties...

the wonderful thing about black & white combinations...is a little goes a long way...and if you have been thinking about possibly taking a dip into the mixing of patterns world...i always say...black & white is where you should start...

salvatore ferragamo suede and crystal minaudiere

kate spade patent leather and lucite piano clutch
baubles by fred leighton, stephen webster, verdura, roberto coin

carolina amato microfiber gloves

chanel faux pearl, satin and sequin pumps

patricia underwood felt fedora

sergio rossi leather booties

sang a leather clutch

giambattista valli satin boots

all pics: scanned by moi

in search of the perfect espadrille...

...you would think it wouldn't be so difficult...as we are in the right season...and many stores are offering espadrilles...but...alas...i can't seem to find quite the right pair...i know what i want...i'm thinking a bright yellow or red for my first choice would be fabulous...just haven't found any that speak to me... =) but if not a bright color...then i may just stick to a nice neutral...here are some top contenders...

jimmy choo cage espadrille
neiman marcus


chloe espadrille
nordstrom


seychelles 'arden'
nordstrom

and of course...i only want one pair...but then i'm thinking...how cute would a flat espadrille be for the summer this year? les sigh...decisions decisions...

missoni flat espadrille
zappos

kate spade new york 'lido' espadrille flat
nordstrom

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...