One of the best gifts I've ever received was a hand-written letter. It was full of the spirit of the giver; their handwriting, emotion, sentence structure. It was like I was experiencing their heart. The person has since departed my life, but I still have the letter. 

Not all gifts can be as intimate but they can be as memorable. Coveted tickets to a play, an exotic trip, even a day at the spa are experiences that can be relived through pictures and memory.  I can't for the life of me remember what  gifts I received last Christmas but I do remember the tickets I received to experience the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1996. 

What experience would you like to create for your loved ones this Holiday Season? 

For the first time ever, I'm offering unique fashion experiences that center on personal development and self-care. From a VIP Shopping Experience at South Coast Plaza to a full in-home makeover, I'm certain that the perfect experience aligns with at least one woman in your life. Perhaps that woman is you? 

Hemlines are longer, heels are shorter, bags are smaller, and floral prints are darker. Welcome to a serious spin on getting dressed. 

 Fall fashion tends to skew more conservative than spring. For one, the weather! Add to that, the tone of fall months is austere. The days are long and cool. Kids return to school and year-end goals kick into gear come September. Herringbone and pleated skirts are the wardrobe for this mood.

​This season the designers are really paying close attention to world events.
 Known as the Hemline Index, this economic theory says that skirts get shorter when the economy is bullish and get longer when money is tight.  The hemlines of Fall 2019 are at a stoic tea-length. 

But it's not limited to a  1950’s prim-and-proper kind of way.
 
Suiting- pants, skirts, vest, blazer- the full-on armor of work is what we will be wearing throughout the season. Women of 2019 are active and involved in projects that require a wardrobe that communicates our dedication and commitment to provoke change in our world– we need the armor of a suit.

When it comes time to celebrate, we are glitzed and gilded like a bubbly glass of champagne. It’s the only appropriate attire of victory. ​

Fall trends are easier to convey since most of the "hot" items are just stylized versions of wardrobe classics. With this in mind, go through your wardrobe and look for these items before you shop:

Nothing screams fall sophistication as tweed. Shop your closet for a well-fitted blazer (non-boxy blazer), a classic pump with texture and color; and timeless a-line skirt that will pair well with knee-high boots.  Stick to neutral colors to avoid becoming too trendy.

Botanicals on black background are anything but saccharine. Pair a blazer with denim and the blouse with a pencil skirt. The dress looks best worn to a cocktail event. Look for bold floral arrangements in jewel tone colors. 

If you are a Feminine Style Personality, then you will have this shoe in abundance as a wardrobe staple. For the rest of us, this heel height  can be a hit or a miss. If you are not one for heels, try this height. It's comfortable and pairs well with cigarette pants and tea-length skirts. To remove the demure temperament, seek out kitten heels in bold colors, architectural heels, and tough details. 

sharp tailoring is what's needed to get this right. If you are unsure if your wardrobe staples convey the mood of the season, let's connect for a 15 min chat. 

​ Here's to a stylish Fall!

The weather is blazing hot and you still have to go to work. What are you going to wear? Sure, a maxi dress will keep you cool but it's not professional. Shorts are a no-go. Same as thong sandals and flip-flops. If your professional life requires a more corporate dress code, knowing how to dress for the high temps can be a conundrum. Summer dressing was created with vacations in mind and contradicts the formality of corporate dress. How do you get it right? 
​ 

It's all about wearing structured clothing in breathable fabrics.  Here's some fabrics to look for to keep you cool: 

Soft and light, you will want to update all your go-to cotton clothing in this fabric for hot temps. Look for silk blends for a slight-sheen and more dressed-up vibe.  

AKA Summer Denim, chambray is soft and light and not at dense as denim. It looks dressy enough for denim-free work environments...seriously! 

White linen is the official look of summer, but it's usually celebrated in more festive environments. Not to worry, linen blazers WILL become your summer version of wool in the winter. Look for linen blended with cotton to decrease wrinkling. 

Cotton with holes! Eyelet dresses under a linen blazer will be your favorite summer look. 

TIP: Stay away  (far away!) from synthetic fabrics in hot weather.  The key to keeping and feeling cool is for your clothing to absorb perspiration and not wick.  Have you ever lounged in your polyester and spandex yoga pants after a workout? EXACTLY. 

And because you may want to keep with the casual vibe of summer dressing, here are some work appropriate shoes that aren't pumps:  

Need help keeping your cool? Let's connect for a Personal Shopping Experience to update your summer wardrobe just before the weather changes!  I'll select some transitional pieces that you can wear into October. Click here to complete your Style Assessment. 

How do you practice self-care?
For me, it's a daily practice of acknowledge my importance before I jump into the start of the day. It's as simple as reading a devotion and drinking a cup of hot tea. The devotion provides me with a daily intention and the tea is just a soothing way to begin a day that could be unpredictable. I love a bi-weekly massage and mani/pedi but sometimes my life is not as accomiating for the respite required for that mini indulgence. 

In fact, self-care isn't an indulgence. I view it as a necessary break to see to your needs. It's a ritual agreement you have with yourself to provide spiritual, emotional, and physical balance. It's a service to yourself and for yourself.

When life feels like I'm between a rock and a boulder, I take a bath. The warmth of the water against my naked skin smooths my emotions. The time spent in solitude in a pool of water clears my anxious mind.  Seriously, a bath is a cure-all for unpleasant feelings that wash away once I reemerge. 

Wearing my favorite outfit and spritzing my favorite perfume is also an act of self-care.  These two intentional behaviors make me feel fantastic and best represent me to the world. Additionally, discovering my signature scent and the components of my favorite outfit was an opportunity for me inact patience, intuition, and self-compassion.  It's not a process that can be rushed!

I'm planning to host a workshop on self-care as it relates to beauty and fashion. I'll share my tips about creating an intentional wardrobe and daily self-care routine that works for your Style Personality. Please do subscribe to the email list to watch for the date. 

For the last several years, many fashion blogs and magazines have sprouted the wonders of creating a Capsule Wardrobe. A wardrobe that is purposefully full of basic items that are seasonless and coordinate with one another with little effort. In theory, I love the idea. Who wouldn't want a closet full of wearable items?

In practice, it's a whole other thing. A quick search on Pinterest will yield results that suggest purchasing a set number of tops, bottoms, accessories, and shoes. No forethought goes into color, prints, and most definitely not Style Personality. Lifestyle is also not considered. 

During a Style Coordination appointment with a client, I show my clients how to create outfits based on the items they currently have within their wardrobe. No set number of skirts, dresses, tops, shoes, and accessories is required. 

Any time you are considering changing up your wardrobe,  you need to begin the process with a full Edit. While doing your Wardrobe Edit, you will identify the pieces you love, hate, and feel indifference. I highly advise the removal of items that you do not love. Try it on for fit and organize it call by type and color. 

Now that you can fully see the contents of your wardrobe, identify the dominant color in your wardrobe.  If your wardrobe consist of mostly black, white, or grey, select the next actual color in your wardrobe. As a note, black, white, and grey are shades, tones, and tints. They are used to change a pure color and not considered an actual color. See this color wheel for reference.

Do you notice themes in your wardrobe? Similar prints and silhouettes? More pants than skirts? Lots of jeans and chunky heels? Take a note of what you constantly wear that makes you feel and look your absolute best. Coordinate a signature look using your wardrobe themes, and replicate this with like-items in your wardrobe. 
For example, a cobalt blue pencil skirt makes me feel sophisticated, chic, and sexy. It's dominated within my Signature Color and in my best silhouette.  My wardrobe in full of skirts and I used this one item to create similar outfits that match this look. Does that make sense? 

In essence, a Capsule Wardrobe is a closetful of items that work for you.  It's a closet full of wearable items that are a reflection of who you are that you enjoy wearing.  

Do you know about the Wardrobe Parcel Style Coaching Series? If you would like to go deep into discovering your personal style, then this may be a program for you. In 4 weeks, you'll learn step-by-step processes of closet organization, Signature Color identity, and best silhouettes for your body shape. Click here to check it out. 

Does your personal style reflect your personality, lifestyle, and values? If you want to consistently show up dressed in your power, this webinar is for you.  

Prints that are reminiscent of vacationing are trending for Spring. As color is the emotion of a wardrobe, prints are the voice. A Sexy Style Personality in an Animal Print vocalizes her care-free, and creative identity. Out of all the trending prints for Spring 2019, I've identified your key print for your Style Personality:  

 Gingham should be a basic in the Spring wardrobe of the Classic Woman. The black and white print is easy to pair with the tempered hues in her wardrobe. Push the boundaries and wear a gingham dress with a tomato red blazer at a Summer work conference.

Tie-Dye is having a 3rd wave revival. The very hippie print matches the easy-going temperament of the Comfort Woman. Try it out on a casual pull-over paired with shorts and chic sandals for a weekend getaway.  

Florals for spring are nothing new for a Feminine Style Personality. Instead of a pastel floral that is ordinarily obvious, this floral print is more romance than sweet. Try on a rose motif shoe for a holiday weekend celebration. 

Motifs of paisley, ditsy florals, and potpourri of patterns are usually reserved for silk scarfs. Now blown to full proportions, try wearing this print on a chic blouse and matching shorts on a warm spring night. 

The color of cheer, joy, and optimism yellow in all variations is the color of Spring 2019. For the serious temperaments, this upbeat hue can be a bit off-putting.  Particularly if your wardrobe is compose of lots of black. However! There is a way to incorporate some cheer in your style for your Style Personality:

Watercolor prints are perfect for the Classic Style Personality. The splashes of yellow are perfectly balance by shades of  black, cobalt, and a coral.  The dress  wears will with a navy cardigan and sandals to ground the dress. This will become a go-look for springtime celebrations. 

Try on a yellow plaid short if you're a Comfort Style Personality! Matched with a basic white tank, denim jacket, and slides, this will become a favorite outfit for a Saturday brunch on the patio.

Marigold is bring the sunshine to the Feminine Woman! This tiered sundress is matched with a bubblegum pink cardigan and grosgrain tie espadrilles. A Feminine's Spring wardrobe must feature florals..a statement necklace and earrings adds the whimsy.  

The yellow mixed media skirt is the star of this outfit! The Sexy Woman can get away with mixing black and yellow..with a slight nod to a bumble bee. The white blazer structures the look as does the top-handle purse. Add in the leather belt over the blazer to a stunning hourglass silhouette. I can see the Sexy Style Personality wearing this to a cocktail event. 

As color trend is a result of societal shifts, yellow is going to be around for a while. If you're looking to add new wardrobe staples, consider pieces that you can wear through fall. 

Texture is an element in style that is highly underappreciated. While color speaks to emotion, texture speaks to personality. An all black outfit in a flat fabric is instantly elevated  to sexy and chic when done with leather and fringe. Here's how to make the Textures of  Spring  2019  your own by your Style Personality: 

Next to a strand of pearls, nothing is as timeless as lace. It's sophisticated and sensual without being sexy when paired on tailored silhouettes and can be worn as a day-time staple.  As a Classic Style Personality, you'll look fantastic when you update your suiting with a lace blouse or pair up a lace pump with a simple sheath dress.  Be sure to look for lace in your signature hue on your next shopping excursion. 

Your childhood dream has come true! It you're a Feminine Style Personality, now is the time to dress as a ballerina princess in this uber romantic fabric. Pair your tulle pieces with structured items to keep the look from being too ingenue. Pair up a tulle skirt with a tailored blazer and kitten heels. For just a touch of tulle, lookout for accessories and embellishment on basic pieces.

Fringe sways to the beat of the Sexy Woman's walk! This embellished fabric shouts excitement and confidence of the Sexy Style Personality. Fringe details on shoes in a bright color are the perfect accompaniment for a sleek white pant. Try out an all-over fringe skirt with a crisp white blouse for work. 

Crochet brings up memories leisure and comfort; the perfect texture for the Comfort Woman.  The ease of crochet provides the perfect sensibility for your Style Personality while invoking interest. Team up a crochet maxi skirt with a bleached denim  jacket and basic tee for a casual work day. On the weekends, a crochet flat is great with your favorite shorts and tank matched to a belt bag.

WARDROBE CHALLENGE: I intentionally left out the links to purchase these items! I want you to shop your closet for the texture that works for your Style Personality. Don't have it? Email me for shopping suggestions. 

What emotion emanates from an all black outfit? What about wearing green and red? What color completely repulses you? Why? 
As you begin to edit your wardrobe for spring, take notice of the colors that you seem you wear the most. Are these colors communicating the right message about you? Many women hold the belief that an outfit of all black is chic and slimming. These are truths only if your personality holds the space for the blankness this is absent in this non-hue. An all black outfit on a Comfort Style Personality with a calm temperament and subtle body movement is a communication disaster.  
Every Time I get dressed, I like to feel polished, bold, and sophisticated. My signature color embodies and reflects  these temperaments.  Can you guess my signature color?

What's your signature color? ​