fashion quiz: the first modern bikini...

if you had to guess...which has more surface area...a sheet of 8 1/2" by 11" paper...or the first modern bikini...what would your answer be??

louis reard...a french automobile engineer...i don't know why that strikes me as funny...an automobile engineer? really? louise reard designed the first modern bikini in 1946...

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and if your guess was " a sheet of paper"...then you would be right! louis reard designed this first modern bikini from a skimpy 30 square inches of fabric...the sheet of paper has 93.5 square inches...

you had me at hello: perfect transitional sandal...

as i was perusing my september issue of california style...being a california girl and all...you know the drill...it takes one turn of a certain page...to get that "you had me at hello" feeling...and this one hit me only on the 10th or 11th page...

these would be...oh so perfect with so many of the clothes that i have...a perfect summer to fall transitional sandal...when it is fall...yet still warm enough for beautiful sandals...love all the colors...definately had me at hello...

bottega veneta
scanned by moi

just a number...

it should go without saying that you need to be honest and realistic when you are assessing your wardrobe...are you being invaded by an army of sizes that haven't fit for a year or more?

simply...let go...

when new clients contact me...and i begin to learn their back stories...i would say...nine out of ten comment that they would like to lose five to ten pounds...if not more...which is okay...if that is where you will feel comfortable...the problem is when they consider waiting to work with me until the weight is off..

i usually tell them that if every client waited to hire me until they lost weight...i wouldn't have a business...

the thing is...we are all under construction in one way or another...but when i see my clients for the first time...i am seeing them as they are right now...not as they used to be...or even how they would like to be...

size is just a number...a great outfit is a great outfit no matter what the size tag reads...a perfect example is the lovely queen latifah...whenever she is photographed in the media...do you think about the size she is? i know i don't...i am thinking how fabulous shes looks...

the idea that losing a few pounds before you can look good in your clothing is a way of thinking we need to drop...it is not about the size on the label...it is all about fitting you for the body you have...now...

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fashion funnies: shopping bags...

one of my girlfriends send me an email a while back with some crazy pics of shopping bags...these two made me laugh...i mean really...




one way to show off a six pack...hmmm

enjoy your weekend

photo credit: boredpanda.com

did you know...

...that fabulous finds also has its very own consignment store? going green has never been more fun...although my local friends and clients have had the pleasure of shopping its vast inventory...it truly is meant to be an "online" fabulous finds consignment boutique...

originally...the idea started for my clients...as we started cleaning out...purging the closets...you know...all the things i love talking about...closet stuff...i started realizing that although these pieces were not right for my clients...they may be right for someone else...and on top of it...my clients were able to re-coop some of their unwise spending...

so...feel free to do some shopping...currently we have about 520 items in the boutique...lots of items still have tags on them... =) but all...whether gently used or new...is in perfectly great condition...

fabulous finds consignment boutique has expanded...to not only women's...but a men's corner as well...and don't get me started on all the gorgeous shoes...handbags...and we even have a "plus size" section...really...something for everyone...

take a peak...and please feel free to share with your shopping buddies...items are added daily...yes...daily...this week alone...25 new items were listed...we've got something in every size...every color...vintage to brand new...

on the flip side...if you are in the process of cleaning out your own closet...let's talk about consigning...most of my clients are local...but i do have several who have shipped me boxes of clothes...so don't let distance deter you...

happy shopping!

let us neutralize...

many people need to let go of the head-to-toe-black mentality...one piece of black is stellar...four pieces of black is...well stale...the number one thing i do with every client is get them out of black and introduce them to the alternatives of other neutrals...such as charcoal grey and chocolate brown...

i think that black is a fantastic neutralizer...but from head to toe...it just...well...makes me think of a mourning period..especially if you're on your way past forty...buy shades of cream...sand...and stone and mix them in with your grey and slate...when you pepper black in as statement pieces...well...you look pretty well put together...if you love jewel tones...they will fuse smartly with these two color palettes...

what other combinations are out there? try a creamy sand and stone palette...while on the other end of the color wheel...there is the beautiful silvery slate greys...i find that drained color...a softer version of a vibrant hue...stays fresh looking...if you wear the drained sister palette of your favorite bright color...you will not tire of it as quickly and it will last longer in your wardrobe...

so come on...let's neutralize...

color...

i want to wear color...but don't know where to start...this of course...would not be me...as i live for wearing color...but i do understand that for some this is a challenge...not to worry...it can be done...

yes...i love color...but for me...color is extremely personal...some of you might be relying heavily on those color charts that were popular years back...in case you're not familiar with these...a consultant determines your "color type" according to a number of factors...including skin tone...the resulting chart displays an extensive array of colors in all tones...there is absolutely nothing wrong with having a color chart...but it's not an unbreakable rule...

buy clothing within the two color families that attract you...for instance...shades of blue and brown...i've found that limiting myself to two distinctive color palettes allows me to wear all my clothing seamlessly together...that way...i don't have an overwhelming set of color options to choose from that don't play well together...

when i suggest buying in a limited palette...i am not referring to buying multiple versions of the same pieces of clothing in different hues...i want you to fill your wardrobe with pieces in interesting and diverse shapes and styles that compliment each other while sticking with shades in your two palettes...

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