When the weather outside is frightful, our outfits often look less than delightful. Rain,wind and snow can muddy up our hemlines, stain our favorite tops and trousers, and soil anything that isn’t 100% water resistant. Like many other people, I’ve resorted to wearing an old pair of tennis shoes and snugly sweat suit in the icky weather months, throwing all vanity to the wind in order to simply stay warm. But just because the weather is gloomy doesn’t mean we have to look it. Here are a couple winter weather pieces that you should be sure to have in your closet; they’ll keep you warm and looking good, no matter how ugly it is outside.

A stylish trench: When the rain starts to pour, many women reach for their trusted, rugged and worn out rain coat. Listen up ladies: It is possible to protect yourself from wet weather while still looking stylish. Invest in a trench coat that offers both rain protection and attractive details, such as the trench coat pictured from Ellen Tracy. The draped fit and popped collar provide coverage from wind and rain, and the cuffed sleeves and eye-catching buttons will pop in the dark and drear. A trench or raincoat with stylish features also make it easy to transition from outside to indoors.

A smashing scarf: Cold weather accessories are the perfect way to dress up a dull, winterized outfit. Add a punch of color with a scarf that highlights your blue eyes or rosy cheeks. Knit caps and a fuzzy gloves are also great for adding a little flair to your winter wardrobe, but use caution — hole-covered mittens or grandpa’s old hunting hat will do little to distract from drab rain gear.

Don’t fear the weather; use it as a tool to get creative with your outdoor look. Invest in good quality, durable outdoor pieces that make you feel bright and light when it’s gray and gloomy. Treacherous elements may challenge your choice of attire, but it doesn’t have to define it.

Here’s to a warm, happy and stylish holiday season!

~Caitlin

“Turn Your Passion Into Your Profession”

Copyright 2009 Conselle Institute of Image Management

Become an Image Consultant!

Finding your passion in life and doing what you love is a lot harder than it may seem.  Even if you are lucky enough to identify image as your passion, turning it into a successful business or profession can be impossible without all the “right stuff.”

To become an image consultant, you must acquire essential and proven principle-based concepts, strategies, systems, materials, and tools with life-changing skills allowing you to work at the highest levels of personal and professional effectiveness.

We at the Conselle Institute of Image Management are prepared to be your partner for success.  We invite you to enter an exciting, fulfilling, and financially profitable career as a Conselle certified image management consultant and wardrobe stylist. 

We want you to experience the joy of providing life-enhancing seminars and services designed to help each client look and feel fabulous from the inside out.  In the process of helping others, you will experience life-enhancing changes in your own life

To Become an Image Consultant You Are Going Where? 

Utah Valley Photo c/o Willie Holdman

Conselle’s 14-Day Educational-Training is held in beautiful Utah Valley, just South of Salt Lake City, Utah—crossroads of America.  We live with a marvelous advantage in Mountain America.  We see it all, from the best to the worst in fashion and image from all directions. 

From Conselle’s vantage point, we’re better able to evaluate with a more objective eye, what comes out of the New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas fashion and image markets—international markets as well. 

At Conselle we analyze and synthesize, projecting what works, what doesn’t work, and WHY—enabling us to prosper and continually advance the image industry, now fifty years running.

Receive All the “Right Stuff” for All the Right Reasons! 

Conselle’s 14-day Educational-Training in Image Management is the most comprehensive and complete image education program available worldwide.  The Institute itself passes all requirements as a registered post-secondary school. 

We have what you’re looking for to become an image consultant—what you need to succeed in the image industry.  The Conselle Educational-Training program provides the foundation on which to build your image career, with the reproducible framework to make it work for you and your clients.

Not to get caught up in the academics of learning, we strive to promote a passion for learning, to nurture the heart and soul of learning—engaging the interest and passion of the participant, and that could be you.

Throughout the program there is a continued application of your new knowledge and skills to achieve practical results with benefits your clients can see immediately.  All interactive exercises and activities are deliberately structured to allow you to put into practice what you have just learned about.

We strive to build your enthusiasm for the topics we present, again, to promote a passion for learning.  We stimulate greater personal development by tailoring subject matter to your interests and passion.  In learning, when you enjoy the process, you make more progress.  Add to that, we aim to introduce elements of fun and surprise into the entire program.  We laugh a lot!

When?

We invite you to join us for our next Educational Training on January 31st – February 13, 2010!  For more information and to register, click here.

Welcome Welcome!

My name is Sarah and I am THE Accessorize Queen! My whole life, some might say I have been addicted to shopping.  With the ease of the internet, I have found myself up very late at night scrolling and scrolling and scrolling…..

I knew growing up I had an interest in business and product development, which led me to graduate school where I finished with a degree in Business Communication.  With such a broad degree, it was difficult to figure out what to do out of school.  I initially thought I would love to be a buyer for a big retail corporation like TJX, but with the worst job market in history, that didn’t quite happen!

In school I actually wrote up a business plan to start my own “Fashion and Image Consulting Firm.”  Again, in a horrible economy I haven’t had the chance to start my own business.  However, I see great things for the future and lots of shopping!  So this has led me to today.  My first attempt at utilizing my product knowledge and love for research and shopping.

Need some gift advice? With the holidays, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day etc., all coming up, I know it can be difficult to figure out what to get for someone who seems to have everything. Some people just don’t have the patience to find that perfect gift!

That is why DomaineLtd.com has asked me to start this new gift advice blog called  “Dear Accessorize Queen.” From Jewelry and Fashion to Electronics and Gadgets, you can ask me all of your gift-giving questions!  Just consider me to be your personal shopper without the outrageous hourly charge!

With all of the issues we live with in this world today, it can be hard to trust in what you are buying.  Unfortunately, if you buy something that is “cheap” or didn’t cost you your whole paycheck, your conscious prepares you that it is probably going to break in the near future.

There is NO reason to have to “enjoy it while it lasts.”  If you spend your hard earned money on something, it should last until YOU decide you don’t want it anymore! That’s why we decided to launch the Domaine Ltd. website and open the Domaine Factory Outlet Store in downtown Providence, RI.

You may have never heard of us before, but Domaine Ltd. has been a premier provider to both the retail and catalog markets  for almost two decades! As the market changes, we are changing course and bringing our trendy fashion jewelry pieces from our  great manufacturers to YOU, cutting costs for YOU WITHOUT CUTTING QUALITY!

Coco Brown Croc Leather Hinged Bracelet With 14kt Gold Plated Beaded Accents

We work hard researching the latest trends in order to constantly update our site with new products.  Our newest products are easy for you to find because they are featured right on our homepage.  New products include trendy multi-strand and beaded necklaces and bracelets, crystal accented earrings and rings, pearl jewelry, bridal jewelry, inspirational jewelry, and Pink Breast Cancer Awareness items.

Is there something that you want that isn’t on Domaineltd.com? Let us know here on the blog, and we will work even harder to get something similar for you!

Need some gift advice? With the holidays, Valentines Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day etc., all coming up, we know it can be difficult to figure out what to get for someone who seems to have everything.

That is why we are launching the start of our new gift advice blog called  “Dear Accessorize Queen.” From jewelry and fashion to electronics and gadgets, ask our professional and expert gift giver Sarah, all of your gift-giving questions!  Make her your personal shopper without the outrageous hourly charge! Just go to:

http://AccessorizeQueen.wordpress.com

chips dip gift basket

chocolate lovers gift basket

fruit gift basket

We have a variety of gift baskets for him and for her. Still looking for that perfect christmas gift?  Well, look no futher.

Here’s a few of our selection:

Chocolate Lover’s gift basket

Chips and Dip gift basket

Car Detailer gift basket

Yankee Candle gift basket

Bath and Body gift basket

We create Custom Gift Baskets too! Hand Delivered in the Middle Tennessee area. For more details visit www.celebratetheday.biz .

From our family here at Celebrate The Day, Happy Holidays to you and yours!

With gift shopping, party planning, and vacation arranging, the holiday season can be a stressful time of year. Because of this, picking out the perfect ensemble for holiday parties can be more pressure-filled than it needs to be. If you’re in a rush and don’t know what to wear or buy for a special holiday occasion, remember these words: Keep it classic.

Innovative designs and trendy fashions come and go with each new season, but what never dies out is the simple, classic shapes and styles that have been at the cornerstone of American fashion for centuries. Take the cardigan, for example: Its simple design and easy structure has stuck around for ages due to its functionality.

The LBD is also a staple of Western wear because, if done right, it can flatter any figure. If you’re over black for the holidays, choose another color that’s just as classic, such as cherry red or chocolate brown. The high-waisted pencil skirt and crisp white blouse are also styles that aren’t expected to go off trend in the next hundred years or so, making them wise purchase decisions with longevity.

Timeless fashion pieces are such because they incorporate both function and style — clothing that can be lived in, not merely modeled for aesthetic appeal. So when you’re rummaging through your closet in the minutes before you venture off to the next party, remember that the best designs are the ones designed around you. Happy party hopping!

~Caitlin

Gina Constanza es una flashy girl dominicana radicada en Nueva York. Labora como Personal Shopper,  a través House of Glamour, su propia empresa , y tiene un historial de 20 años en esta otra profesión de la moda.

Recientemente trajo a República Dominicana Noche de Fashion, una forma diferente de comprar popular en NY y que va de la mano con lo que más le gusta hacer: The best shoppings

M. ¿A quién vistes?

G. Visto a todos los que necesiten mis servicios. No me enfoco en las celebridades, soy más del  público masivo. Pienso que son quienes más lo necesitan.

M. ¿Qué elemento común tienen tus clientes?

G. Nunca saben dónde hacer compras y siempre tienden a ser compradores compulsivos.

 M. ¿En qué consiste el trabajo de un Personal Shopper? ¿Qué ventajas tiene?

G. Ir de compras por ti y tu familia..La ventaja es que si no tienes tiempo de hacer las compras que requiere tu closet, yo lo hago por ti. Un Personal Shopper sabe a cuáles tiendas ir y dónde comprar lo que necesitas.

M. Una pregunta clásica, ¿a quién te gustaría vestir?

G. Me gustaría vestir y comprar para la Primera Dama de República Dominicana.

M. ¿Cómo te preparas para un cliente?

G. Primero, realizo una serie de preguntas pertinentes. En base a sus respuestas evalúo la necesidad y el estilo de la persona. El estilo a elegir debe estar aprobado por el cliente. No creo en cambios radicales, sí en cambios para un largo plazo.

M. ¿Qué pasa cuando un cliente no está satisfecho?

G. Varía mucho del por qué. Unas veces es porque se siente inseguro con su cuerpo o por complejos. Tengo que hacer el trabajo de sicóloga, ja ja. Gracias a Dios me ha pasado pocas veces y muchos han quedado contentos con mi trabajo.

M. Tiendas favoritas, las que nunca te fallan

G. Bloomindales, H&m, Target y Macy´s

Conoce más sobre los trabajos de Gina visitando House of Glamour

In an era when most people live in jeans (oh wait, is that just me?), receiving an invitation in the mail with “Black Tie Only” or “Dressy Casual Preferred” at the bottom can leave you asking, “so what do I wear?”  I’ll tell you.   

Now in this instance I see no need to reinvent the wheel.  I’m going to borrow from Thomas Hart’s article on HowtoDoThings.com for this one.  Mind you, Mr. Hart appears to be a bit of a snob, judging from his opinion of party hosts that request casual attire (see below), but we’ll forgive him because the information is concise and to the point… just like I like it.  Since he covers the men’s attire in good detail, I’ve added some pictures of the women’s dress to clarify further.  Here we go…   

Here are the possible phrases you’ll see on your invitation:   

• White Tie: The most formal possible. Women wear full-length gowns with a crinoline. Men wear black pants, a black tail coat, white tuxedo shirt with bow-tie and a top hat with optional white kid gloves.

Ball Gown (White Tie)

• Black Tie/Formal: Second on the formal scale, this includes a straight gown for women and, for men, a black tuxedo with no hat.

Evening Gown (Black Tie/Formal)

• Semi formal/Informal: This actually does not mean ‘informal’ in the way you or I would naturally use the word, but it is less formal than the first two options. The men are in black suits and the women in dark knee-length dresses. 
  

  Semi-formal/Cocktail

• Cocktail: Men wear dark suits and women wear fun knee-length dresses, 
• Dressy Casual: Men wear blazers or sports jackets, a white dress shirt and black dress pants, while the ladies wear skirts and blouses.
• Business: Men wear blazers or sports jackets with a coloured shirt and khakis or dark denim. Women can wear skirts or dress pants. 

Work or dinner (Business)

• Casual: Either gender what they please, within reason. Use good judgement if the host or hostess is un-classy enough to mistakenly allow this type of dress at his of her party.
  

  Casual (Remember, it's a party)

“Here are the specific instructions for a men’s Black Tie dress code.  

Tis the season for party-dress shopping… and by golly there are loads of dresses out there – but just to let you know, if you don’t like sequins, jewels or embellishment, you’re in trouble! Don’t get me wrong I love a sequin or two, but this season they are everywhere! I dread asking my clients what styles and fashions they dislike as the usual response is that they can’t stand puff sleeves, bows… or sequins! I know some of my clients are naturally drawn to simpler pieces but often I feel it’s not because they really love the styles but rather because they’re scared by pieces that might make them “stand out too much”… although many of us are guilty of shying away from shapes, styles and colours that are different to what we’re used to. 

I often pick out styles that have more of a “personality” to show my clients and many are very quick to say, “That won’t suit me!” (When what they actually mean is “I’ve never tried on anything like that before and I’m a bit scared of what it’ll look like!”). However, I think that life is too short to not have fun with fashion and this season you can pretty much get away with anything (within reason obviously!). So when you’re next out shopping for your Christmas/NYE outfit and about to head for the changing-rooms, grab a couple of show stoppers along with your usual LBD and have a play… Really the most important thing to keep in mind is that an outfit has to be right for the occasion and there are several things to think about when deciding on an outfit: time of day, location, who you’re with (will everyone else be in jeans and a “shazzy” top, when you’re wearing a pink buff-ball number and faux fur jacket??). That reminds me… one of my very best friends used to rock up to the pub in stunning dresses, looking like a super-model when the rest of us would be wearing jeans and she’d say “…but my jeans are in the wash!”.

Speaking of dresses, I spent last New Year’s Eve in a bar/club in Liverpool and I remember when I had been trying on my chosen outfit in the shop feeling a little conspicuous – it was a fluorescenty yellow one-shoulder dress (it sounds hideous but it was actually quite flattering… but only with several applications of fake tan!). Anyway, I don’t go out in Liverpool very often these days and I’d forgotten what it’s like. Initially I felt a little “bright” but after a closer inspection of the outfits of my “contemporaries” in the loo queue, I felt quite at home. In fact, I might as well have been in jeans and a t-shirt in comparison to what others were wearing! One girl had on a floor-length bejewelled evening gown and another was in sequined hot pants and a giant puff sleeved top, with her hair back-combed to oblivion (seriously I couldn’t stop staring at her – she’d taken Patsy from Ab-Fab’s bouffant to the next level!).

Bib-necklace from Freedom at Topshop

You had to hand it to them, all the girls looked amazing (in their own inimitable way) and had made such an effort – and why not? When times are hard, it’s freezing outside and we’re feeling a touch under-the-weather, I think a little “bling” can go a long way to cheering ourselves up! So I think that if sequins would normally send you over the edge – why not give them a try and turn up the glamour this A/W 09. It could be as simple as adding an amazing necklace to an otherwise simple dress. I bought this necklace recently from Freedom at Topshop for only £18! I wore it over a plain t-shirt and it looked so effective (www.topshop.com).

Shu Uemura eyelashes

Or how about jewellery for your eyelashes! When I was on the 3^rd floor in Selfridges (London) last week I came across the Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar (located opposite their new jeans wall). I could have stayed there all day… the lashes are AMAZING! The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable and with prices starting from £12 (up to £55) I think they’re a fairly guilt-free treat (they also apply them for free)! I fell in love with these gold ones with Swarovski crystals… they’re like a work of art (www.shuuemura.com)!

Photo Credit: Shanna Fisher

Feeling a little overwhelmed with your workload? Need to get to some more important business, but the mail, files, email, dry-cleaning are piling up and the phones won’t stop ringing? Let us help. 6 Hours of your very own personal assistant.

This makes for an incredibly unique and thoughtful gift. The lucky recipient will receive a gift card to arrange for their day of personal assistance in the New York City area.  Purchase the gift here.

We offer assistance in a variety of areas including, but not limited to light office work, event planning, errand running, shopping, gift buying, gift-wrapping and presentation and wardrobe styling. If you think you need an assistant for a more specialized project, feel free to contact a personal shopper (347) 471-1170. We will do our best to meet your requests.

Over the years we have created several versions of train or makeup cases with an assortment of beauty and styling products for clients as well as gift requests.  There are a few pieces that we get requests for time and time again… you know the ones with all the awards and are featured on all the “must have” lists in magazines.

Grace Lockwood's Beauty's Best Collection

We decided to creat a collection that would compliment any vanity of makeup or stand alone as an entirely new palette that could be offered through our store.  Each of these pieces are tried and true to be the best in our opinion which is echoed throughout the beauty industry.

“Get ready for the holidays with this best of beauty collection. Hand picked, tested and approved by our team of beauty advisors. The all-star kit includes Dior Airflash, Dior Show Iconic Mascara, Bobbi Brown Velvet Plum Eye Palette, Bobbi Brown Mini Brush Set, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, YSL Tushe Blush and a Limited Edition Laura Mercier Mini Lip Glace Set.”

The set arrives packaged in complimentary, holiday or occasion specific gift boxes with a bounty of beautiful ribbon for $450.

For a more customized beauty kit or to add a train or makeup case to the collection, contact a personal shopper by email at services@gracelockwood.com or by telephone at (347) 471-117o

We provide incredible sources for all of your personal and gift shopping needs

Chocolatier Extraordinaires

The Mast Brothers have a chocolate factory in Brooklyn which I stumbled across literally following the scent of cocoa in the air.  I’ve been a sort of a fanatic since.  They create and produce incredible dark chocolate bars with infused flavors of salt, truffle, olive oil, maple and more.

Perfect Packaging

We are currently putting together super stylish gift baskets for one of our clients and each one has one of these gorgeously packaged bars.  I can’t say we haven’t been inspired for all sorts of decorative holiday gift ideas with these pieces.  Not to mention we can’t stop eating them!  Check the store soon… we’ll have plenty new concepts featuring Mast Brothers Chocolate for all your holiday needs.

And to have custom baskets of our own made in time for the holidays, contact a person shopper by at services@gracelockwood.com or call (347) 471-1170

Great write-up by Nancy Wells

Nancy Wells, talented designer and writer, wrote this incredibly sweet piece featuring www.GraceLockwood.com.  xo

Have you ever been to a consignment shop?  If you answered “no” my reply would be “why the heck not?!”  I love good consignment shops.  Unlike thrift shops, a good consignment shop owner/buyer has a discriminatory eye and only accepts items that look new and usually focus and well-known brands or unique items. 

As a seller it’s a fantastic way to declutter your closet without having to feel guilty that you’re throwing away items in good condition.  Do you have any clothes in your closet that still have the tags on them?  You know, one of those things you look at and think, “what was I smoking the day I bought that?!”  Well, you can make a little return on your money by selling the garment through a consignment shop.  Plus, you’ll have the peace of knowing that the garment has found a new home…. not in YOUR closet.

As a shopper at a consignment shop you can find unique items at a fraction of their original cost.  The last time I was in to my favorite local shop I bought two long cardigan sweaters, the kind you see in all the stores right now, for about $10 EACH.  Most consignment shops will also sell some new accessories to make an outfit.  Some of favorite items to look for at a resale shop are special event garments (because they are normally only worn a few times, if not once), jeans (because they’re already worn in) and purses/bags.  But I always find something I love and don’t have to feel guilty buying because the price is amazing.

An added bonus to shopping at a resale shop is that you’re supporting a local business.  Most consignment shops are run by their owners who take great pride in their store and community.  It’s always great to help support local business owners, especially in today’s economy.  In a season where you’re spending a lot of cash on other people’s gifts, consider a consignment shop for finding your holiday party outfits! 

To find the shops in your area just search “consignment shop” or “resale shop”. 

In the Ann Arbor area I recommend:

The Resale Boutique  107 East Michigan Ave, Saline, MI  734-295-3030  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saline-MI/The-Resale-Boutique/230749620018?v=wall

Happy shopping!!

Want help finding that holiday party outfit?  Want to give someone a gift certificate to boost their style confidence?  I’m your girl!  Check out my site: http://www.stylesuccess.net

First of all, THANK YOU to all our loyal customers who continue to patronize us during these trying economic times.  We appreciate your loyalty and patronage AND we’ve got some fun things planned for you in the coming year! 

Also, we’re now going to be open Mondays during December to give you another day to find those gifts for friends and family.  Based on the response, that could become a permanent thing if we get enough requests.

We can help you with Table Setting ideas!

We’ll be keeping you apprised of some of the new, wonderful treasures to be found in our little corner shop by sending you the updates to this blog.  Let us know if you need gift ideas for family members, clients or friends. 

Love the beautiful Cranberry glasses!

If you find that you just don’t have the time to come to the store – Get rid of that stress!  We will have someone on staff who (for a small fee) will be there to help you with those challenges and find the perfect gift for that person on your list…kind of like  your own “personal shopper”!  Even if we don’t have it on hand, we have a network of elves that might be able to find that special “something” you’re looking for… 

Also, if you just don’t have time to wrap, Bonnie is offering her services to giftwrap your treasures at a small fee.  An average  cost to wrap your gift runs about $3.50 and looks gorgeous! (This includes the box, paper, ribbon and trim!  Wow!)

You HAVE to come in & see these cute snowball people!

Adorable!

Also, don’t forget we have some nice furniture for sale (but not the mantle that everyone seems to want!  Ha Ha!) 

Jan says you'd have to make an offer they couldn't refuse to part with this beauty!

We’ve got some unique furniture pieces that will make your home uniquely “you”!  All the Thanksgiving items you see below are deeply discounted.  Come in before they’re all gone!

This beautiful armoire can be yours for a great price!

Here's a great place to snuggle with that book!

Stay tuned!  More to come…

J’avais juste envie de mettre un peu de couleur dans cette grisaille qui me fait perdre mon sourire

***

I just wanted to put a little color in this bad weather which makes me lose my smile

Robe/Dress : Oli

Bag/Eyesbrow minaudiere : Sylvia Toledano

Chaussures/Shoes : Christian Louboutin

Une fille vide son dressing

Dear Ellen,

We set sail today and braved the storms of the open ocean; that is, we went to the mall on Black Friday.  Same difference.  Normally, on the day following Thanksgving, I would stay as far away as possible from any place with price tags.  But, Sara was suffering from Costco deprivation, and Costco is just down the road from Macy’s- to where I had an aging gift card taking up space in my wallet- and Macy’s is connected to the mall.  You get the logic.  The compromise was that I could sleep in, enjoy a leisurely morning, and allow my stomach to fully settle after last night’s gorge.  No camping out in front of Best Buy for me.  Rather, that is an occasion in which to hire a personal shopper…

The first time I heard of a “personal shopper” was when I briefly worked as a retail associate at J.Crew.  You can “hire” one there.  If you are fortunate [and important] enough to have someone planning your daily wardrobe, I’m not sure why you’d send them to a J.Crew store- wouldn’t Saks or Barneys be of a more appropriate caliber?  Don’t get me wrong, I certainly like J.Crew enough to have been employed there- the 50% discount didn’t hurt either- but the exclusives are catalog only items anyhow.  And who needs to pay someone to pick up the phone?

If I had a personal shopper…he- yes, it would be a he- would be responsible for shoes, makeup, jewelry, jeans, kitchenware, electronics, and waking at dawn on Black Friday to get those doorbuster deals.  Though, if I could afford to pay someone to pay for it for me then I suppose I could affort to pay full price.  If I had a personal shopper… I would only ever go to TJ Maxx because it’s the happiest place on Earth.  And you thought it was Disneyland.  I’d also do my own gift shopping…maybe.  At least I’d shop for my girlfriend and let my personal shopper handle the rest of the Christmas list.  Or, I’d choose Sara’s gift and have my personal shopper go out and get it.  I might as well get my money’s worth out of him.

Why is shopping so exhausting?  It’s basically like going on an expensive walk with frequent stops.  I think it’s all the decision-making that goes into it.  It’s mental drainage.  What if there were only one of everything?  Then we’d all be walking around in the same Christmas sweater and sheepskin boots and all our personal shoppers would join the ranks of the unemployed.  Thank God for excess.

Sincerely,

Katie

Today’s reason #51: If I had a personal shopper, I’d give him the day off and camp out all night to get Ellen tickets.

One of the only annoying things about being a Personal Shopper is when people ask me what I do. One summer’s afternoon a couple of months ago, I was with friends in my local pub having Sunday lunch – I was fairly hung-over and not feeling my best. The weather wasn’t great that day so I’d slung on my bleached boyfriend jeans and a t-shirt. I looked fine, but as I say to my clients “not every day is a fashion parade”!

Well, the next thing one of my friends tells me is that a crowd of her friends are coming down to join us. They arrived and the usual introductions ensued and then the question came, “So Fi, what do you do?” And I told him what I did…. Now I don’t know whether it’s because people get a bit defensive when they know you tell others what to wear for a living – but the familiar response came back to me… “Oh I haven’t made an effort today – I just flung on the first thing I could find that was clean. I don’t usually look like this…”

© Lyllyflow | Dreamstime.com

Can I be honest? I really don’t care less what people are wearing unless they are my clients, or if a person has specifically asked my opinion on something (well that’s a bit of a lie, I do notice people, but usually it’s because they look fabulous or dreadful. For example if I see a photo of a celebrity in a magazine on the “Red Carpet” wearing a bad dress then  I will probably say to myself “Sack the stylist!!” But I don’t notice what the average person sitting opposite me on the tube has on!). Anyway, back to the guy in the pub… he then said to me, ”Oh you’re a personal shopper, well let’s see what you’re wearing then!” He made me get up and do a twirl – can you imagine! I actually wanted to say “Well I’m a bit hung-over and I really couldn’t be bothered today”, but I couldn’t because people assume if you’re a personal shopper you’ll always look fabulous! But really that’s double standards – I can’t judge him, but he can judge me. He and his friends then quizzed me about shopping and fashion for the next 2 hours (can I mention they were all men!) – no wonder I exaggerated my hang-over symptoms and made my excuses to leave before they moved on to the next pub, I was mentally exhausted!

Anyway, the reason I mentioned the above is because I feel a little guilty. After saying I don’t judge people, well… I was walking to the tube a couple of mornings ago on the way to work – it was pretty early so I was in a world of my own. It was pouring with rain (of course) so I had my umbrella completely covering my eye line as my jeans and new ankle boots were getting soaked. But something caught my eye. Ahead of me I saw shoes and then shock horror – there was a lady in front of me wearing 10 denier black tights! The woman was probably in her early 50s – she had a great figure and was dressed nicely but I judged her! I wondered why on earth she was wearing tights that made her look so 90s /a woman of the night. If it had been the evening then fair enough, but for day time they seemed a little bit old-fashioned on her (N.B. I know for some,  10 deniers are making a come-back right now, but they’re to be worn in a “fashiony” way with 80s style polka dots and an amazing pair of shoes for example, not with a red knee-length A-line skirt and court shoes!). It made me think about how such small things like the wrong pair of tights or a tatty handbag for example, can make an outfit look dated or less “polished”. I wanted to run up to her and tell her to nip to M&S and buy herself some 50 or 80 denier opaque tights (taking inspiration from Twiggy’s look in their new advert – I think she looks amazing in her pink military inspired coat and black tight ensemble) and then her over-all look would be so different. Obviously I didn’t, I kept my brolly low and my opinions to myself.

Insider tip –

Opaque tights are fantastic for a number of reasons – they are incredibly flattering, as the higher the denier the slimmer your legs look; they suddenly make an outfit look much more on trend and dressed down – I wear much shorter dresses with opaque tights than bare legs, I just feel less on show (plus you don’t need to shave your legs)!

Who does the best tights? Personally I would recommend Wolford (www.wolfordshop.co.uk) – their satin deluxe opaques as seen in Vogue either in 50 or 80 denier, are amazing! Also head to M&S as they have a great selection of tights too, starting from £3 (www.marksandspencer.com).

I recently met Victor Chu, one of the co-creators of LEGWORK, and I have to say the guy is pretty much a genius.  He gave me my very own copy of the LEGWORK video and I’m obsessed.  The workout is great and learning to adjust your strut for high heels is practical, fun and definitely sexy!

We love the whole concept so much here at Grace Lockwood that we built an incredible sexy gift around it.

Legs of Your Life gift package from www.GraceLockwood.com

Purchase it out here and give the gift of a graceful workout!

Veste ou chemise en Jean?? question hautement existentiel !

Moi je suis une ‘veste en jean addict’, j’en porte depuis que j’ai 15 ans et c’est une pièce incontournable de mon dressing, été comme hiver, je la met à toute les sauces!

voici donc mon nouveau coup de cœur

Cette veste-chemise « 7 For All Mankind exclusively for Joseph » issue de la collaboration entre les deux griffes de prêt-à-porter. Une ligne aux accents résolument « rock ».

disponible chez  ‘For Joseph’ au printemps/été 2010

Hoje fiquei chatinha por instantes, fiz unha cor “champagne” profetizando o fim de semana, me fiz de personal shopper [joguinho de menina, é só clicar] pra amiga Emily que comprou uma sandália sensual e agora tô aqui enjoadinha esperando meu x-bacon doida pra coçar e arrancar casquinha da tatuagem. bêjo

Have you heard of “Fancy Nancy?”  Apparently, she’s a well-known character in a series of children’s books written by a woman named Jane O’Connor.  At first I was intrigued because I have a granddaughter, who while not yet old enough to appreciate the book series, I’m sure will be a “Fancy Nancy” once she’s old enough to dress herself.  I started reading an article about the author.  Turns out she’s 61 and the inspiration for her Leading Lady in her books is herself as a child.  She said “Six-year-old me definitely had a glittery side that the grown-up me had somehow lost.”

I got to thinking about the women I know who, like Ms. O’Connor, grew up in the 50s and 60s and came of age during the 70s.  We worked hard, some of us raised families, we competed with the men and along the way we “lost our glittery side.”  The thing is, it wasn’t just us.  Our entire culture has lost its glitter.  We are entranced by it among the Hollywood starlets who seem to come along in herds and period dramas like Mad Men.

But, when you think of everyday Americans, admit it, you see women in unisex oversized T-shirts, baggy shorts, crew socks and hefty sneakers every single day!

I bring this up because I know that many of us would love to be able to wear that chic new black pencil skirt and the sequined fitted T.  The question lingers though, where on earth would I wear it?  Our super casual American lifestyle has brought us comfortable clothes, but at what aesthetic cost?  Why does our lifestyle encourage casual and frumpy over  beautiful and sanguine, especially once we’ve reach 50?  I encourage you, whether you live in a small town in South Dakota or a large metropolis, do all you can to reinstate your “glitter.” A trip to the grocery store or a trip to Europe – it’s all the same, add beauty, womanliness, and grace in every activity – get dressed for the day with purpose. Who’d like to join my movement?

I can hear the uproar now:  “But I love being comfortable and not having to worry about how I look every time I leave the house.”  Think about the message you’re giving yourself, not to mention those you come in contact with — “No one really cares what I look like, I’m just an old lady. There’s no need for me to look fabulous anymore, I think I’ll just become invisible.”  You may not consciously think or say this, but you are subconsciously creating your own irrelevance. Fight back.

Today is the day you put on a little more lipstick and release your inner “Fancy Nancy.”

~Christine, TCW Style Expert and Glittery Goddess

Blanche neige, bon je pense l’avoir répété à de nombreuses reprises… ne mettez pas une tenue pareil pour un mariage par pitié les filles laissez la jolie mariée en blanc. Ce que j’aime sur cette robe c’est le parterre de roses en bas de la robe, c’est original et si vous le souhaitez casser le côté Angel avec une étole dorée.

***

Snow White, I think of having repeated it to numerous occasions do not put a dress similar for a wedding by pity the girls leave the attractive bride in white. What I like on this dress it is the flowerbed of roses at the bottom of the dress, it is original and if you wish it to break the side Angel with a golden shawl.

Robe : Karen Millen

Sac : BCBGMAXAZRIA

Chaussures : Christian Louboutin

Une fille vide son dressing