Stackable Rings 2.0

I shared this on my Facebook but figured posting here would be a good idea too!


Here's something you should know: The proper way to level-up your stackable rings, especially if you want to get away from always using simple, stackable bands. 

Look for rings that have geometric shapes, thin bands, and have similar tone in the metals. Or, do like the right picture and mix silver and gold. (Yes, it can be done! Fashion rules are more like guidelines anyway) The overall effect is you create the illusion of one, single, bad ass ring. :)

Click the picture to be taken to the Etsy shop where I found these little beauties

 

Image(s) courtesy of me! using Fotor

How to Dress Well When You're Feeling Fat

You can't sit there and tell me you've never felt fat. You just can't. Guys, same thing. We ALL have felt fat at one point or another, regardless if it's true or not. Considering I have been in this bloated bubble myself the last few days I figured I would do myself- and you- a favor and discuss easy ways to dress stylishly when your figure feels fuller than usual. It's times like these that I'm thankful for being a stylist in the bay area as we're still in the trend of drape-y tops, skinny bottoms, and soft sweaters- key pieces to solving this particular gut-busting problem.

It's hard to work around your own fatheaded funk and see your closet as an area with potential to make you feel great when all you see is your gut. Ladies, here are a few looks to prevent the plump from showing:

The interesting use of draping in this otherwise simple tank skims the body without hugging it and also hangs perfectly around the middle, hiding any bulges below.

A dress with interesting details (like the wrapping detail on the bodice) distracts the eye from any "problem areas". Plus, the sewn-in waist gives you shape with the soft folds in the skirt providing additional tummy security.

A shirtwaist dress is never a bad idea. The A-line draws the eye out along the hips making your waist look that much slimmer. (Think Kate Middleton at her wedding...her hips were padded!)

Don't forget, a standard go-to outfit for any fat day is leggings and a tunic. You've got the best of both worlds: comfort and coverage.

Guys, you're a little bit trickier. You don't have fun flowy tops or dresses available to help you with any belly bloat that can appear. So, how do we fix that? Easy! Use what you (more than likely) already have and, as a general rule, stay away form hoodies. There are more stylish ways to hide the chub:

Start with a simple T. If it's a little big, that's ok! It should hug you in the shoulders and across your chest and drape in the middle.

Don't be afraid of sweaters. The vertical closure in the front brings in your shape while at the time hiding any bulge and visually cutting your torso in half, making you appear slimmer.

Another sweater option if you really just can't get into cardigans. The key with any sweater is body SKIMMING, not body HUGGING. The structured shirt underneath in this example also adds a touch of volume to hide your own personal bulk.

Hopefully I've given you a little more confidence the next time you face your closet feeling like you need to "trim the fat" (and it doesn't relate to an over abundance of clothes).

Image(s) courtesy of google image search

So Much Style in Stockholm!

If you ever find yourself with an afternoon to kill check out www.carolinesmode.com and click on the Stockholm Street Style tab. OMG you will not be disappointed. Scrolling through one sartorial treat after another has never been this satisfying!

right on trend: easy, white, and menswear-inspired

If you've ever wondered who/what makes the style go 'round, it's these people. Broken down to their baser elements, these looks can easily be recreated with pieces in your own closet. Why these few folks were chosen to be depicted online is because they followed a few simple rules:

• choose pieces with interesting details:

Notice the detail on the edge of the shirt collar. (click to enlarge)

• think about the longevity/flexibility of each piece:

a classic blazer and sheer blouse are instantly chic by adding one trendy item: the pants

another great example: easy blouse and edgy jacket with one trendy piece: the full skirt

• and only buy those items that you really love and instantly connect with. Not only will you start accruing items that can be worn different ways again and again, you can wear them with each other to start finding your own fashionable footprint.

an easy look, compiled of pieces to stretch your wardrobe: colorful blazer, black tights, and a simple jersey dress

After all, a closet should be a collection of pieces that speak to you. Start stalking the streets of Stockholm for instant inspiration!

Image(s) courtesy of carolinesmode.com

"A-Little Obsessed" with fellow blogger

I couldn't help it. I slipped on a search and tumbled into love. The other day, I was doing a Google Image Search looking for a military-inspired jacket for my post on SJP when I came upon this fabulous Fall story.

This is such a cozy mood board and I still want everything.

I swear each one of those items has been on my "Need" list at least once before. But to see them all together, just hanging out like the effortlessly cool girl this collection so perfectly embodies, was just too much. My eyes came to a screeching halt and for a moment, I was lost to the endless possibilities between these must-haves and my closet. It was torture! Immediately my "Need" list upgraded to include each and every one of those items. So many options, so little time. When? When would I have the time to find these things!? I distracted myself from the question and contacted the blogger instead, happy to gush to her about how in love I was with her collection of Fall pieces. Interesting Fact: a-littleobsessed is a blogger based in London! Either she needs to move here or I need to more there. Something's gotta give. Her name is Sabrina and I foresee myself 'obsessing' about her blog on a daily basis. Hello RSS feed! :)

I must say that being a personal shopper and stylist has it's advantages. I'm out in the stores A LOT and I also shop a lot online. I get to see what's current in that moment. The good news is that Aldo has a similar platform wedge

and personal online favorite, ModCloth.com, has TONS of chunky knit sweaters- like this one

right now. Two things I look forward to checking off the list, Christmas or "Need".

 











Image(s) courtesy of a-littleobsessed.blogspot.com

The Basics of Style: how to make your body's visual proportions work FOR you, not AGAINST you

When meeting with new clients, the first area we focus on are proportions.  Knowing how to work with your body's proportions can not only make you look slimmer, but taller and better dressed.  If you don't know what visual proportions are, let alone how to manipulate them, you could be making huge style mistakes and not even know it.

Have you ever gotten dressed, look in the mirror, and realized that something doesn't look right, but you can't put your finger on it?  It doesn't matter if you spent $10 or $1000 on the outfit- if your proportions are off, it won't look right.  Take a look at this:

These two center circles are the exact same size.  But by increasing or decreasing the proportion of the circles around them, one center circle looks larger than the other.  The same applies to your body.  Knowing how to use these proportions can help you play down a large bust, give some volume and lift to your rear end, give you a leaner midsection, and the list goes on and on and on.

short (L) long (R)

What does this look like in real world application?  Just for example, let's say you're long waisted* (see definition below).  To look leggier, wear dresses and tops that are cut to accentuate above your natural waist line (ie- empire waists).  You can also wear blouses tucked into higher waisted pants.  Visually decreasing your torso will make your legs look longer by comparison.  You can clearly see this in the picture below.

The opposite it true for people with short waists.  Does this make sense?  And it all has to deal with visual proportions.

*"To determine if you're long-waisted or short-waisted, measure yourself from the top of your head to your natural waist, and then from your natural waist to the floor (you'll probably need to enlist help to get an accurate measurement). If you're longer from head to waist than from waist to floor, you're long-waisted, and if the opposite is true, then you're short-waisted." (http://www.stylephyle.com/experts/long.html)





Image(s) courtesy of InsideOut Style and dummies.com