Fasionably Frugal

The reality is that few of us can afford to have a closet full of our favorite designers. In order to make ourselves feel better and justify our "splurge" purchases we have to view our coveted items as a fashion investment. Well, times are changing and designers are making the move to make their creations available to the masses via specialty lines for discount stores.

Many designers now have these speciality lines in stores that the average American shopper is quite familiar with and have already been a customer of for years. Target offers Liz Lange Maternity and Issac Mizrahi as staple contributors alonside a revolving door of guest designers that currently include Jovovich-Hawk. JCPenney has its extremely successful Nicole by Nicole Miller line and Kohls hase introduced the Simply Vera by Vera Wang collection.

Our friends at H&M are not exactly in as many cities as the forementioned stores...yet, but should surely be mentioned since they often feature both artists and designers. Beginning April 10, 2008 they will launch a tribute to Marimekko, so be sure to check it out.

If shoes are your vice then thank goodness Payless has come along in very recent years to help scratch that itch for designer shoes. Lela Rose, Abaete and alice + olivia , all relevant fashion heavyweights with loyal followings have designed budget friendly lines for Payless that are becoming increasing popular.

The collaboration between discount retail stores and designers is a genius idea...what took them so long??!! Now that you know where to go, feel free to have a guilt free shopping spree.

BIG shade for little eyes

Spring is here! The change in season will usher in a gradual increase of sunshine time. Now is your opportunity to think about protecting those cute eyes of yours under a pair of stylish sunglasses.

These days there are so many options to choose from, but of course the over sized frame phenomenon continues. It is easy to fall in love with the over sized frame, because it basically suits every facial shape, and has an aesthetic that fits every style. There certainly is no need to break the bank when searching for that pair of perfect shades. There are options from Spitfire Candy Sunglasses, available at www.tobi.com that offer a fun AND affordable (only $35!!)array of choices. Banana Republic has introduced their conservative line of sunglasses this spring with a moderate price-point to match, ranging from $78-$118. The edgier gal out there with a little more to spend, can opt for a funky take on aviators or serve up a shot of color to shake things up a bit.

Whether your taste is extreme or subdued,there is an over sized pair of sunglasses out there for you. If over sized frames aren't your thing, that is OK too...as long as you find your thing. Shades are a sunny weather staple that punctuate your ensemble in a way that no other accessory can, it's time to get out there and make your statement!

A little Roman inspiration...

If you have been anywhere near a shoe store for the past two spring/summer seasons then you have become reacquainted with the gladiator sandal. In seasons past the selections have been quite literal and lacked the pizzazz that I know you girls were craving for.

Fear not! This year there is a gladiator for every taste. You can choose to be spunky, and might I say quite avant-garde by bravely choosing a variation similar to the ones that Balenciaga had on the runway. For those looking for a pair a little more ready-to-wear and a little less couture, check a few of your choices.







This version is like a sandal-boot, so if you don't mind the restriction, then this statement shoe might be for you.







This indulges in two trends at once...Metallic and Gladiator


This is multi-tonal and will be multi-purpose





Who says you can't be a sexy gladiator?

















If gladiator sandals just don't excite you, that is O.K. too. Every trend is certainly not for everyone and there are plenty of other choices out there. Be sure to get your window shopping started though........summer time will be here before you know it!

You look marvelous

Hello ladies….I must apologize for leaving you hanging for a while, but not to worry I’m back! Lately I have been taking the time to venture out to network and spread the word about my business.

When I am out promoting, the conversation often turns to how much I enjoy working with women and how exciting it is to see their moods and demeanor change when everything begins to come together. Anyone who knows me would tell you that I am always saying “if you look good, you feel good, and your confidence will allow you to go out and take over the world”, and I wholeheartedly believe in that statement.

As women we are notorious for looking after others and putting their needs above our own. I challenge you to find a balance and make sure that you rank as a high priority. It is imperative that when you look in the mirror you are MORE than pleased about the woman staring back at you, and it’s amazing how clothing can be the catalyst for this feeling. Sometimes you have to start from the outside, in.

Ladies it is time reward yourself with yourself, ‘cause nobody does it better!

I enjoy being a girl!

Most of the country is still experiencing cold weather, even here in Florida we have had our unusually cool days and as much as I enjoy "winter" clothes, I am certainly ready for a change. With all the menswear inspired clothing that has come down the runway in the last couple of seasons, I am really excited for spring to arrive.

I am counting down the days to when I break out the ruffles, bows and a healthy mix of bright and pastel colors. Nothing makes me feel better than a cute skirt or a fun frock. It is fun to show off a little leg and shoulder and this spring there are many options.

If free and flowy is your style, look for dresses inspired by Roberto Cavalli or the Lanvin Spring 2008 collection. Those of us who enjoy wearing ethnic prints will enjoy Oscar de la Renta's take on it this season. He has offered up some very fun and flirty choices. Finally, nothing says spring more than floral prints and polka dots.

Don't let the winter blues get you down, think ahead of all the feminine expression that you have ahead of you this spring. Start putting together your spring wish list and be sure to mix in a few dresses for good measure. It's a wonderful privilege to be a woman.........INDULGE!!

Dressing outside of the box

Unless you are lucky enough to be self-employed, chances are that what you wear to work everyday is dictated by an office dress code. The rest of us may not not only have a dress code, but one that is quite strict requiring some sort of suiting for the majority of the week. While yes, we are required to adhere to the guidelines that have been established, but there is no excuse for losing yourself and becoming a corporate clone.

The Meriam-Webster dictionary defines style as a distinctive manner of expression. Although some of us need a little more help than others, style is personal and unique to every individual. It is important to learn to add a heaping dose of YOU to your work wardrobe.

Color is a wonderful way to personalize something like a boring suit. You can inject the color almost anywhere. For those of us who are very feminine and girly, a touch of pink in the form of a fabulous shirt peeking through can go a long way in brightening the day. If you are a bit more adventurous it may take a bolder color like yellow or orange or a sultry jewel tone to satisfy your color craving. Another fun way to play with color is to incorporate it in the main portion of your suit rather than just an accent.

If the romantic in you is fighting to be uncovered, you should be more than comfortable letting that side of you be seen. You can start in a more subtle way by maintaining a traditional color like black or navy while choosing a flouncy pleat to add movement and counteract the rigidity of your environment. If Ruffles are your thing then I say why not go all the way. As long as all other lines in your ensemble are clean, then the ruffles strategically placed will bring attention to your face and isn't that important in the office anyway?

Prints and bold graphics are another excellent way to bring your personality to center stage. Taller and plus size ladies really get a chance to shine with prints since there are numerous prints that can compliment their stature and not overpower them. A graphic print even dressed down to a business casual can be a tool cleverly used to hide flaws but keep the fun factor alive by distracting the eye.

If all else fails, nothing safely (read: super dress code friendly) helps to throw a little self expression into the mix like accessories. Just remember that items like belts and bags should be selected in proportion to your frame. Accessories are entirely another beast....don't worry we will talk about them in depth later. Right now you don't have time, you have some shopping to do....well WE have some shopping to do, meet ya at the mall!

Learning to let it go

Okay everyone, we have officially gotten through the first month of 2008. For those of you that made resolutions to make strides to graduate to a higher level of fashionista (we all secretly do), some of you are finding that you have already fallen off of the wagon. Why you ask? More times than not, the culprit dwells in your home and is in your face every morning, and you probably also have a strong emotional connection to it. The culprit is your existing wardrobe!

How are you supposed to move into your rightful place in the world of fashion if the contents of your sub par closet continue to tempt you everyday? The only way to progress towards your style goals is to rid yourself of the following items that I like to call your “deadweight clothes”:

Clothes that no longer fit
. It is insanity to waste precious closet real estate on items that have no function at all. Some of us are dealing with clothes that are now too small, others have lost weight and the existing clothes are too big. Either way, the key to remember is that we have to learn to dress the body that we have right now. Stock piling clothes that used to fit us long ago or clothes that we are praying will fit us in the future, just isn’t an effective way to build a fabulous wardrobe.

Clothes that are very worn and have seen better days
. It is definitely time for you to let those jeans go that you have been wearing every weekend to run errands. Trust me, there are pairs out there that will fit you like a glove and you can start a healthy rotation. Don’t let the fear of the unknown scare you into thinking that you have to choose between comfort and style.

Clothes that you have not worn in over six months
. Lets be honest…are you ever really going to wear those items? When my clients tell me that they have not worn certain clothes in an extended period of time, the article is immediately extracted from the closet for further questioning. If your clothes are not worn because you could not figure out how to incorporate them into an outfit, I can work with that. If the reason the garment has not been worn is because you really don’t like it (probably an impulse buy) then it is expelled from your closet. We should LOVE all our clothes.

Now that you are armed with the basic knowledge that you need to de-clutter your closet and start fresh (again) for the new year, go get ‘em! If the task proves too daunting…then give me a ring, lol.