Fun Job

I'm with the band! On the job as stylist for the band On Tracy Lane. My niece is the cutie in white on the end (female!) although the one on the other end is a cutie too! Great band, great time. Thanks guys.

A Great Store

I am going to tell you about my new favorite store. It has been here maybe close to a year but I just went this summer. It is UAL, United Apparel Liquidators (I think that's the full name). It is on West End Blvd. where years ago Vandyland used to be. It is south of Centennial Park and Scarlett Begonia, another cool store. Anyway, look up or google the correct address, the clothes are what's important! In a warehouse type, large room, they have racks and racks of clothing you will not find anywhere else. They carry stock overruns, samples, last season, and store sell offs. The front of the store has several round racks of couture pieces. If you've never seen a piece from Prada, D&G, Lanvin, Vera Wang and others then this is wear to find them, at around 70% off, sometimes more. A $600.00 dollar Prada blouse is now much more reasonable at $100-$150 dollars. If that is still too much, keep going back to the racks with designers you haven't heard of, for anywhere from $9.99 to $49.99. What a deal! And no one else will have it on! These pieces will also generally be well made and sewn from good fabric. There are gowns, shoes, bags, belts, and a small section for men. Jeans for $19.99. I love this place! I got a silk skirt for $9.99, how great is that? Anyway, check it out, you'll be glad you did. But if you just don't want to, call me and I'll go for you!!! Thanks for reading.....

Ready to get into Fall!

It's been a whole month since I've expressed my all important views on style and fashion.........just kidding!   It has been a whole month though.  During that time I've worked with several clients including the band On Tracy Lane.  We had a great time at the photo shoot getting to know the guys and hopefully I'll have pictures to put up soon.  But, onto fashion musings. I'd like to address this message to the women in the 40+  range.  As with everyone, your body type needs to be honestly and objectively evaluated.  The added bump in the road for those over 40 is "can I wear this at my age?"  What we want are to be modern, stylish, and to look good!  It is possible with some time, investigating, and the will to change if needed.  Some advice I would offer is to get a fresh opinion of your hairstyle.  If your stylist doesn't suggest changes and options, see someone else for a change.  You don't have to stay with her, just see if you like the cut she gives you and your stylist can follow  what she did.  I know it's not always that easy, but sometimes it is!  After that, spend some time in stores and departments where you don't normally shop.  Try some things on that you do not consider "you".  If you've got great legs, wear your hem a 2 or 3 inches above the knee, just not 5 or 6!  Of course, lose the "mom" jeans.  Try a designer pair like Joe's Jeans or a different style, maybe high rise or skinny.  Get a pair of sharp boots or maybe a great leather jacket with some motorcycle details. Don't save your dressy tops and sweaters for dressy events,  wear them to dinner or a movie. Find looks you admire in fashion magazines and copy them. Remember, 4o is a number, not a signal to lose your sense of self. It all begins with how you feel about your appearance. See ya later!

Seasons

Well, I have been gone awhile again, out of town with my family. And when I returned, it was beginning to happen. The subtle change in clothing collections to darker colors. The start of the fall pieces coming into stores. The August magazine layouts will be all about autumn. Holidays have in recent years been introduced in stores earlier and earlier, but fashion has always been several weeks to months ahead of the season. That is because way ahead of the actual season, fabrics have to be chosen, patterns and styles decided upon, orders taken at market, and garments produced and delivered to retailers. Buyers place orders 5 to 6 months before delivery, that means fall orders were placed around April. Fashion also has more than four seasons; winter, cruise, spring, summer and fall. There may be one in between summer and fall (I can't remember) and there is a always a holiday collection. Cruise is mid-January through February. That's why most department stores will have a small area for bathing suits and nautical type pieces after the New Year. These "rules" have been in place for forever. So, while we're still wearing our white eyelet and sandals, somewhere designers are drawing and coming up with what we'll be buying next spring. It's a crazy world in fashion, but I love it! Enjoy the summer sales!

Little Things Matter

As with your children, a party, friends, decorating your home, etc., in fashion, little things make a difference. The other morning I was putting on a sheer top with a cami under it and the cami had a split in the side seam. I knew it was there but had continued to wear it under tops that hid the tear. When I looked in the mirror, I realized it was showing, looked bad, and needed to be fixed or taken off. I ran upstairs to my sewing machine and grabbed a needle and thread, turned the cami up to my waist and stitched it up. It looked 100% better and I didn't have to change. The way some might have to dash out and get flowers for the table, do that special little bedtime routine for your 4 yr. old, or have the perfect wine for dinner, you also need to put that extra touch into your clothing. Actually, stitching a tear isn't a special touch, just following good style rules: no tears, stains, or ill-fitting clothing. But, it was a little thing and it did matter. If your shoes are scuffed, polish them, if your under things are all stretched out, get some that aren't, if your blouse is stained, launder it. Most fixes are easy and cheap and definitely worth it. Remember, the little things matter, in all aspect of our lives. Sorry I've been gone awhile, I won't be away so long next time. So,til then, have fun, be kind, and dress well!

What Style Are You?

I met with a magazine employee the other day and we were discussing the many facets of women. The topic turned to style and helping women discover what they felt and looked best wearing. I told her, as I realized a long while ago, I don't have a particular style. I may be a little bold in my outfits at times but I love different looks. I also appreciate someone creative enough to have a "look" and cause me to take a second look even if I don't like it. A classic Audrey Hepburn look will always be in, right for an event, and ageless. The RL Polo preppy style which J. Crew, Gap and others emulate well, is another wonderful timeless clothing choice. A not so timeless look, but very in now are 70's inspired or boho pieces. If you have an outdoor event a maxi would be perfect to wear now. Wide leg jeans come under the 70's category too. Sometimes I like to put on a kind of rock 'n roll outfit with skinny jeans, gladiator heels and a cool top. I love color and Pucci inspired prints, ribbed tanks with walking shorts and flats, 50's dresses with gathered skirts and pumps (think Sarah Jessica Parker), and the list goes on. Many of my friends do have their style and colors they stick to and I don't think they should change too much, it's who they are, but I like to think that others of us are multi-layered in our dress and personality. We like to mix it up a bit, keep people wondering, change with our mood, and have a few surprises up our sleeve. Doesn't that make our lives a little more interesting? And what better way to portray those differences than with our clothing?! Have fun out there! Remember, what others see is their first impression of you. Always,

Fit, Fit, Fit, Fit, Fit.....

No don't throw one, just make sure everything fits and lays appropriately. Sometimes in the dressing room in the midst of trying to find that great outfit, you will rationalize that when it's ironed it will lay right, or at home you can pin that gap, or if you wear a cami or the right underwear it really does fit. Sometimes all that is true, often it is not. If you are tugging or having to suck in your stomach in the dressing room, chances are it does not fit. Learn to let disappointment over one outfit motivate you to find the better one somewhere else. Rarely does a garment look on the average person the way it does on a mannequin or in a magazine. But the fun challenge is to take the "look" and translate it to your body type. Usually some part of the outfit you see advertised can be used in a style that works for you. Again, it can be a challenge but when it comes together you look great! As always, I can help so please call because I love my job! Until next time,