7 ways to add color to your summer wardrobe...

when we think of summer...we think of sun...fun...and color...but many still have a hard time figuring out how to incorporate color into their summer wardrobe...now for those that for whatever reason...don't like color...no problem...i have several clients who prefer to stay in their neutrals...and that is ok...

but for those wanting to have a little bit of a colorful impact on their wardrobe this season...here are some simple solutions for you...and the great thing...is you can just add one of these items...and have instant color success...

1.  how about adding a vibrant colorful handbag for this season...this one below is the one i got myself...but in a neon pink...the tangerine was my second choice...and believe me...it goes with almost everything i wear...i literally have been using it for months...and get lots of compliments on it...which color to pick?  whichever one speaks to you...the pink was screaming my name...so i went for it...

michael kors "jet set" tote
nordstrom

2  a big trend that has been staying strong for quite some time...is the colored jeans...or in this case...a nice cool cropped pant...and yes...i have a similar pair...and i love them...wear them often...with so much...i've paired them with a black & white graphic summer coat...a simple tee...a floral blouse...on and on....add a blazer - wear it to the office...

nordstrom.com

3.  same as above - but in a skirt...depending on what you are looking for...as far as casual or business...the colored skirt can be incorporated in either setting...this one is a casual cotton skirt...perfect for running around town...going to the movies with friends...or meeting up with the gal pals for drinks...add a fun white tee...cute espadrilles and you are set...

banana republic
styling fabulous consignment boutique

4.  add a little color to your shoes...there are such fun loafers out now...flats...in vibrant colors...or pastels...such an easy way to add color when wearing a skirt or your jeans...

cole haan
styling fabulous consignment boutique

but of course...don't just think of your flats...how about a fun color in a pair of pumps...a yellow?  blue?  how fun to wear with your jeans...can't go wrong with a fun colorful pair of espadrilles...or for something a little dressier...lovely mint green slingbacks...for those that want a little color...not to bright...

paolo
styling fabulous consignment boutique

5.  adding a fun flirty top when going out for the evening...yes...skip the black for an evening...believe me...people gravitate towards color...you will be surprised...all you need?  a fun pair of white jeans or skirt and you are set for a summer evening...

max studio
styling fabulous consignment boutique

6.  add a colorful cardigan...for those cool summer nites...or depending on where you live...here in san francisco bay area...summer nites can get pretty cool...so a fun leather jacket in a great summer color...how chic is this?

lucien piccard
styling fabulous consignment boutique

7.  and last...but certainly not least...a simple add of a colorful scarf...add that to your neutrals...your blacks...or your all whites...and you are fabulously set for a wardrobe with a splash of color...

now i realize that all my examples are showing solids...but don't stop there...there are amazing colorful prints out there...that would do wonders in adding color to your summer wardrobe as well...

which of these would you try?

my first spring purchase...

the minute i saw this handbag...i knew i needed wanted to have it...but i didn't get it right away...and when i finally went to purchase it...they had every color but this luscious pink...which is called "zinnia"...the nordstrom sales woman...checked the inventory...and said...yes...there was one left...in the hawaii store...the call was made...and the hawaii sales person...hunted and hunted...to no avail...but...there was a warehouse to check...

nope..every color but "zinnia"...

of course...as with anything...once that item is unattainable...the more it is wanted...right?  and although the beautiful orange or the yellow was a fabulous 2nd choice...i thought i would wait...perhaps someone would return one...

as i waited...the chances seemed pretty slim...by this time...i had called every department store & website...the michael kors stores & website...no luck...

until i did an ebay search...and there it was...my beautiful handbag in the color "zinnia"...and it arrived...on the first day of spring...

how appropriate... =)

michael kors

how to add some emerald green to your life...

if you haven't heard...emerald green is the color of 2013...and as with any color...depending on how much you like it...how it blends with your skin color...etc...there are ways of incorporating it into your wardrobe in small and big doses...

here are some options for you...something as simple as a cotton tee...even better with a bit of sequins thrown in...if you want to go a little dressier...opt for a silky blouse in emerald green...will look great with your basic black...add some gold baubles...and you are set...

petite paillette statement cotton tee
ann taylor loft

a fun dress for the office or dinner out...how fun to be in this vibrant color...or mix things up even more...stand out while everyone is wearing their little black dresses...opt for your very own little emerald green dress...

michael kors double face stretch wool sheath
nordstrom

who remembers the fabulous earrings that angelina jolie was wearing at an awards show...they were magnificent...whether you sport some fabulous earrings...or a beautiful necklace...you can't go wrong...they will make brown eyes look deeper...and enhance green and blue eyes...

photo source

speaking of accessories...it is a perfect color to wear in a handbag or clutch...an emerald green belt will add a little something something to your outfit...and of course...a scarf with this beautiful color will be a stand out piece as well...

are you getting the picture??  the ways are endless...

and last but certainly not least...try wearing a shade of emerald on your nails...your manicured nails will be the main attraction...and no need to worry about them matching your clothing pieces...

photo source

how are you planning to bring the color of the year into your wardrobe?

men's corner: color matters...

a recent article in gq magazine titled "what you can learn from the most opinionated man in fashion" gives pointers from designer michael kors...starting with self tanner to turtlenecks...click on the article link above for all his pointers...

what resonated with me...was his point titled 'lastly, know thyself'...michael says..."play to your strengths.  if you have sandy hair, you need ivory, not optic white.  a redhead?  get some green in your closet.  black hair?  you'll look dramatic in black.  cary grant proved that if you have gray hair, you wear gray.  just look at george clooney.  it might sound insane, but it works."

color does matter...and it just takes little simple tricks to make yourself look...well...very put together without looking like you tried...

photo source

big celebration in the city...

saturday evening...four of my closest friends...surprised me with...well...a nite i will not forget...all i knew up until the moment the event started...was that i needed to be ready by 7:30pm...what i realized in the weeks leading up to this big celebration...is that while i love surprises...i love them when i have an idea of what is going on...THIS...drove me crazy...but they all kept their lips sealed...

at 7:30 pm...i walked out of my home...to see a stretch limo parked outside my door...here we are...getting ready to start our fun nite...i was excited to wear my vintage black sequined top (circa 80's) for the very first time...as i was saving it for a special occasion...this was that special occasion...although the pics don't show it...i wore it with my blue/black animal print jeans...and suede ankle booties...(this was my 2nd attempt in 2 months to wear heels...due to my pulled tendons)...i think i did ok in the walking department...all for fashion...right?

inside the limo...this was chilling...oh my heart is happy... =) courtesy of one of my girlfriend's hubby...thanks denny!

after a lovely 30 minute drive...enjoying much laughter and bubbly...we arrived at one of my favorite restaurants...if you ever have the chance while in san francisco...i highly recommend it...great food...great ambiance...

although we all cleared our plates...we still needed to make room for dessert...after all...birthdays come around but once a year...

we then headed back in the limo...only to arrive at "top of the mark" - sensational view of the city...i just wished i could have danced...but gimpy me...had to sit out...

as if this nite was not perfect enough...while i was spoiled rotten to the core...once back in the limo...i had lovely gifts awaiting me...i had to laugh at the cards...do my gal pals know me well...or what??  all fashion related...

the bottom card shown in the above pic...even had inserts for me...just in case i felt like accessorizing the card differently...gotta love it...

a nice new carry case for my phone and essentials by michael kors...in my favorite color...green!  

tickets to an upcoming keiko matsui concert...cannot wait!

a cd of french/latin jass music...to be played while perusing my new book...are you ready for this??  a leather bound gorgeous book on christian louboutin...with gold embossed pages...the pics are oh so spectacular...i may have to share some in an upcoming post...

and a lovely plaque for my inspiration wall...with one of my favorite quotes...

and i'm still basking in all the love i felt...saturday nite...by some of the most incredible friends a girl can have...thank you from the bottom of my heart...adena, lillie, lorena & margaret...i love you to pieces!

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 long awaited purse...

two things that i don't mind spending some money on...are shoes & handbags...i want good quality...good leather...well made...and with this criteria...i have shoes & handbags that last a really really long time...in fact...most times when i get complimented on my shoes or handbags...the next question is...who are they by...and did i purchase them recently...and i usually need to say...that i got them years and years ago...

so...about six months ago...i was having coffee with a girlfriend of mine...and she was commenting on my handbag...and how she just couldn't afford a good handbag...but yet...she would spend little to no money on bags...that well...didn't look to hold up well...and usually didn't...nothing wrong with that...if you don't mind continually buying new handbags...

as we talked further...she seemed to think that a good handbags cost in the thousands...which i then let her know that there were plenty of great handbags to choose from without spending thousands of dollars...but still getting a good quality leather classic handbag...

so i challenged her...as she was not able to "just run out and spend money on a good handbag"...but i knew that she was an extensive coffee drinker...put aside your daily $4 for a latte in an envelope marked "handbag"...i mean...let's do the math...$4 multiplied by 5 days...multiplied by 4 weeks equals $80...times 5 months equals $400

guess what we went out to purchase today? isn't it a beauty? she is over the moon excited...

michael kors large bedford bowling satchel
neiman marcus

"orange" you glad it's halloween?

...personally i could take it or leave it...but the color...that is a whole different subject...it just exudes happiness...don't you think? here are some ways to incorporate the beautiful color orange into your wardrobe...

nina ricci 'fantasy' tweed pencil skirt
nordstrom

michael kors hamilton n/s tote
neiman marcus

skinny leather belt
j. crew

giuseppe zanotti satin ankle-wrap peep-toe pump
neiman marcus

hacking jacket in herringbone
j. crew

what is your favorite "orange" piece in your wardrobe?

in honor of the first day of summer...

...and this absolutely splendid weather we are having in the san francsico bay area...think high 90's... =) so fabulous...i figured it was time to start looking at summertime wear...and of course...the first thing i think of is...pool time...

cover-ups are a necessity for me...i'm not one that you will find sauntering around the pool without one...just saying...and i'm really needing an update...although i love the ones i have...

so what do you look for in a cover-up?

- coverage...i know...obvious...but some cover-ups...well...don't cover...so what's the point? i don't need another layer of clothing...just because...

- fit...as always...fit is of utmost importance...even in a cover-up...too big...or too small...both scenario's down-grade your luscious bathing suit...so don't settle!

- color...it's summer! go wild...this is the time that color and/or prints are a little easier to work with...for those that are timid...so step out...work with the colors of your bathing suit...and if it is a solid color...then definately have fun with your cover-up...the more colors...the merrier!

here are some of my favorites...so far...all these are currently available on the nordstrom website...click on the link...there is a very nice selection...and in several colors!

robin piccone tie dye cover-up dress


michael kors sheer cover-up


trina turk 'french riviera' tunic cover-up

becca crochet cover-up

photo source: nordstrom.com

project runway & fashion week...

as i announced last week - my good friend margaret's hubby planned this incredible trip for her (and me!!!!) to fly to new york...attend the project runway finale fashion show...during fashion week...

what.a.fun.time.we.had...not only beng able to attend the finale of a show that i literally have watched since the first season it was on...but to be able to be close to where all the fashion shows take place...during the start of fashion week...

so...new york's weather did not disappoint - it was beautiful & sunny & perfect...we headed to the lincoln center (first year here for fashion week) and...the first person we bump into is nigel barker - photographer...and he begged to take a picture with me...and so i had to oblige...ok...maybe that isn't quite how it happened...but in any event...here is our pic together... =)



we were seriously so excited to be attending this event...here is our first official picture together at the memorable event...


once inside...loved seeing the infamous runway sign...that up until this point i had only seen on tv...year after year...



we found our seats...and could not contain our excitement...



the beautiful host of the show...heidi klum...she is SO beautiful...and moreso in person...imagine our excitement when she announced that we would be seeing the remainder 10 contestants and their lines...



we sat across from the judges...guest judge was jessica simpson...they did not give anything away...in fact...they did very little writing as we normally see on tv...but that is ok...the fashion show was unbelievable...

jessica simpson, nina garcia, michael kors, heidi klum
can you guess which designers look was coming down the runway when the judges had these lovely looks on their faces?? =) i cannot reveal...haha...actually this was not during the show...but i do wonder what caused such facial expressions...


and may i say...of the top three looks that i loved...one was already kicked off this last week...so the winner is a toss up...it is anyone's guess...

here was the contents of our gift bag...such fun items...and who doesn't love getting a gift?



my hope was to meet tim gunn...that would have made this trip that much more special...but alas...the closest i got to seeing him was his pic on his book in my gift bag...oh well...the trip was still pretty perfect...


but to ease my disappointment in not seeing him...the man i have SO much respect for...i headed out to central park...and my most favoite spot there...total serenity...

buying smart...

today my facebook fan page status reads:

the most expensive item in your closet is the one with the tags on that you've never worn...

i cannot tell you how many times clients have had a hard time letting go of an item...whether it had tags on it or not...but simply based on the fact of how much they spent on it...truth be told...i have even found myself thinking the same things at times...

what causes items to sit in our closet without use?

was it a sale item with a price to good to be true?

was it an impulse buy?

or perhaps buying an item just for the designer label?

buying an item that just sits in your closet...does not make a good investment piece...that rule applies to an item that is expensive or one that isn't...bottom line...it is money that could have been spent on an item that becomes one of the ones...you love...

so...lets say all your clothes were lost by airline personnel tomorrow...what would you replace first? in the end...the assessment is simple...

what do you have?

what do you need?

it's not about buying more...it's about buying smart...your wardrobe is valuable for the pieces that make it personal...

the vintage dress you found at a summer tag sale...

your mothers silk scarves...

your boyfriends leather jacket...

maximize these items with a few well chosen new basics...you probably have more than you think...you just need to look at things in a different light...

the key is to dejunk...your closet should be full of items you wear...not items that hang in your closet...your closet should be full of items you love...

if you shop with the mindset of buying only things you love...choosing pieces that you feel great in...most likely...you will wear every single one of them over and over again...year after year...

"personal style is being able to say no...no one who we think of as a woman of great personal style was a fashion victim...they are women who are very aware of their bodies, their features, and what works."

michael kors

purple pop of color...

those that know me well...know that i live for a sun shiny day...warm sunny days make me happy...all in all...i think people are generally in better moods on sunny days...

the flip side of course...is that i love fall/winter for the clothing...the leathers, tweeds, boots, plush warm layering...

and i know...i can't have both...at least not at the same time...

this is always a hard time of year for me...because on the one hand...i know my summer sunny days are numbered...and soon i will need to put away the flip flops, sandals, tank tops & sundresses...

as excited as i am for the fall clothing...i know with it comes cold weather...ugh...not my favorite...

so i need to find things that will help me cross over so to speak...to the next season...

for now...i focus on this luscious pair of michael kors shoes...i scored these in the middle of spring...but knew that it would be the perfect addition to fall...can't think of a better way to face a gray gloomy day...add a pop of color...