stepping up the preppy...

do you remember the preppy look?  the polo shirts and cable knit sweaters?  if you have still got some...laying around the back of your drawer...why don't you pull them out...and revive the look?  

while the whole preppy look is rather sporty and casual...nothing says that you can't mix it up a bit...so why not pair that polo shirt with a flirty skirt and heels?  talk about revving up an old polo shirt...right?  

same kind of deal with that comfy cable knit sweater...how about pairing it with a nice skinny jean...but add a bit of glamour with a sexy pair of metallic sandals... or satin flats...

those pearls?  inter-twine them with some of your favorite gold chains...or other statement necklaces...adding a little bit of the unexpected to the classic pearl necklace...

when it comes to stepping up the preppy...it is about taking that sporty casual look and adding a nice combination of modern with classic...taking the casual and adding some upscale pieces...and all of a sudden...that polo shirt...that has been sitting in that drawer...feels new again...

big pony tropic purple polo
ralph lauren

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!

lavished at christmas time...

yes...i was lavished at christmas time...seems a lot of my friends are asking what i got...so i thought i would share with you my lovely gifts that i received that are "fashion" related...feel free to share yours as well...it may give someone a great gift idea for a birthday coming up...

as most of my readers & friends know...i love audrey...and...lucky me...got one more book to add to my collection...she is one classy lady...



i love these cocktail napkins i got...won't they be perfect for a girl's nite get together??



hold on to your seats...i am now the proud owner of my first croc bag...les sigh...if you are wondering what the difference is between croc & alligator...here is a post on "is it an alligator or crocodile?"



my lovely niece got me this beautiful necklace...she knows her auntie...love the pearls...they go with everything!!



and one can never have enough gloves...love the color of these...



more bling bling...



and then the hot boots...thanks mom & dad!



after a long nite in the hot boots...i can come home to this luxury...my younger brother's tradition...every year...a new pair of slippers...these are so lady like...no? every girl should have their favorite pair to slip into...only the best for you...



this is actually two necklaces my girlfriend got me...chains & pearls...so coco chanel...goes with everything!!



"little luxuries in a large box" so fun to open...each little luxury was individually wrapped...included in the big box among many beauty items...was a nail file with some bling bling :-) and these cute parisian pics...and...



if you recall i had posted the luxe list - luxury gifts for women...the question was "which would you choose?" and i of course was drooling over the chocolate trunk...a girl can dream...right?? i got this little gem...which actually i am thankful for...a little chocolate is all i need...5 pounds of chocolate, 350 pieces of rich ganache, and four tins of Aztec hot chocolate may be a bit much... =)



and then this precious gift...from my younger niece...it is not fashion related...but it was made by her in shop class...my beautiful new cutting board...made with love...by melissa...and as if this wasn't enough...



she engraved it...awww....love that girl!!

what makes a classic a classic?

oxford button-down shirts, levi's jeans, white cotton t-shirts, baseball caps, bomber jackets, little black dresses, striped french sailor shirts, a string of pearls, navy blazers, trench coats, gold hoop earrings, cartier tank watches, ray ban sunglasses, cashmere cardigans, loafers...



it's an old friend with a new twist...a clunkier heel, perhaps? an animal-print pattern? it doesn't matter - whatever makes you kick up your heels...

you buy it for what it's always been: a familiar shape that seems to weather time and is always just a comfortable reach away in your closet...
you buy it for what it lets you be: yourself...

a classic classic? it is dependable, time-less, and tamper-proof...yet open to reinterpretation...