Just last week, I worked with a client—a busy mom who told me she felt “fluffy around the middle.” She wanted to enjoy summer with her kids, say yes to the ice cream runs, family barbecues, and vacation photos without feeling like she had to diet first.
The best part? A few days after we finished styling her new wardrobe, she texted me from vacation.
“I walked past a mirror in the hotel lobby, caught my reflection, and actually thought… Wow. You look great!”
That’s the power of wearing clothes that work with your body instead of against it.
You don’t need to lose 10 pounds before you deserve to feel confident. Sometimes the right styling tricks can make you look taller, leaner, and more balanced—while you enjoy every scoop of summer.

One of the joys of my job is meeting many new and interesting people. Recently, a group of awesome ladies hired me for a sister's weekend to answer some style questions. Because, as one sister put it, "we were raised with the cows (we grew up on a dairy farm in Wyoming), but we were literally raised with the cows, and it is SO showing right now." In an effort to teach fashion guidelines, I found myself at a downtown hotel, changing clothes (to demonstrate different looks), matching colors and talking all things figure types with the funnest group of sisters.  We had a blast, the sisters learned a ton, although it could have been entertaining to have a few cows, sadly they did not make the trip. From this demo, the sisters noticed how much jewelry can complete the look, and can add a unique touch of YOU. There were many questions on this topic. Do you ever get dressed and as you're about to rush out the door wonder what necklace you should wear with that top, then just go without because there's no time to think it through? If so, here are the guidelines for necklines and jewels.  My goal is to help you know how to quickly complete your look without looking too complicated, even if you weren't raised with cows or chickens or any type of farm animal. ​
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​First off, it's helpful to have a few general guidelines...

Happy Spring! You may be feeling the itch to pull out those brighter, or pastelly colors. Haven't seen those white jeans in a while? Now is the time to embrace the idea that warm weather is coming. That's probably why this week is National Closet Clean Out Week​. As a professional stylist who has seen many a closet, I understand how overwhelming the task seems to be. If you're like me, it feels like an easy thing to do on a low-key Sunday afternoon, but doesn't quite get to the top of the list, and next thing you know it's Monday. Here are some simple solutions to save space and make the first place you go in the morning your happy place.

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The satin bridal gown looks harmonious with satin wedding party dresses.

Repeating the floral or lace pattern in the bridal gown is beautiful in a mother of the bride dress. 

What’s your secret pleasure? Chocolate, sauna houses, binging holiday movies with one of those huge bags of Boom Chicka? One of my secret pleasures in life is to sing, high and loud. This practice started for me when I was 5 years old and would climb to the top of our metal swing-set and sing through the hollow tube the chains for the swings hang from. I would sing at the top of my lungs and loved every second of it. As it turns out, that A-frame swing set was a dynamic megaphone, and the neighbors loved it as much as I did…well I’m pretty sure they loved it…actually who knows, my mom may have received a few complaints but she never mentioned them to me. Now that I’m an adult, it’s a little awkward to stand and sing at the top of a swing set. Yes, there’s always the shower but somehow it’s not the same. I’ve recently discovered that our community has a choir that sings Handel’s Messiah at Christmas. It’s a perfect fit for me, I can sing loud, and the soprano part is oh so high! The rush I get from singing loud and high about Christ helps me reclaim the joy in Christmas.  We recently had the Messiah sing-a-long performance. This is where the audience sings with the choir. One of our conductors, the founding father of this community singing adrenaline rush, has been doing conducting for over 40 years. These days he leads the last couple of songs. During the Hallelujah chorus, he has been known to get emotional. It’s as if every ounce of energy is being poured into his heart and out through his arms and into the little stick he holds in his right hand. Often the tears start to well up in his eyes as his love for the spirit in the music manifests itself. This kind of emotion is contagious. It can be difficult to hold back your own tears just watching him, and before you know it, the entire choir is mirroring the passion of the conductor. Then the beauty of the moment fills the room as you notice the eyes and hearts of the audience begin to well up also. The influence one person can have over how you feel is amazing and unforgettable. What does your influence look like? Because what you wear significantly impacts how you feel and then how others feel, being strategic about your appearance is an easy way to hit the right note when connecting with others.  

When you’re balancing work deadlines, family, social plans, and self-care (those nails won't paint themselves), who has time to think about influence?   I do, I've done the thinking for you. And you don’t need a major closet overhaul.  In fact, you may already have many of these key pieces in your closet just waiting for you to tap into their potential.  Lean on these smart pieces to transition from conference calls to dinner plans, with just a swap or two. Below is my curated cluster/capsule for outfits that feel effortless, polished and a little festive - your inner choir will be singing hallelujah.  And those in your sphere of influence will catch onto your joy as if you were the conductor. 

You may have something similar at home? 
Pro Tip: Include at least 3 tops, 2 bottoms and a third layer piece that all work together. Be sure to include the colors of the season (aka reds & greens with navy, black and/or gray below or chocolate brown with  burgundy and hunter green / navy).  Well chosen accessories include a scarf and shoes for walking, and at least one pair you can dress up or down. Click on any of the images below for shopping links. 

Are you wondering what it looks like to be more influential, charismatic and confident at Christmas and beyond? Check out my best deals, wrapped up for Christmas, HERE.

Marion from Raiders of the Lost Ark - I picked up these wild red pants and top at H&M this summer, thinking it would be the perfect fit for our trip to Greece. Who knew it could also double as Marion from the first Indiana Jones movie. Add a black belt and monkey or frying pan and you're good to go.
​Turn it into a couples costume - Every Marion needs an "INDYYYYYY". Khaki pants, off white or white (Preferably linen) button up shirt, add a hat and whip or even a leather bomber jacket if you have one and channel your inner-adventurer. 

Boxer - my kids happened to have these fun boxing gloves that became the inspo for this costume.  Add a silky robe, tube socks, maybe a black eye...can you say, "cut me Mick"?
Turn it into a couples costume - Your partner could be the wild haired boxing announcer with a microphone and black suit. Or turn your guy into the boxer with the lovely lady wearing a sign with the boxing round number on it in high heals and a swim suit! 

Dia de los Muertos (aka Day of the Dead) - take any black dress or black and white (even better) and add a mask. Amazon shipped this one overnight. 
​Turn it into a couples costume - put your companion in a black suit and tie and boom you're set!

Last but not least... The Not-so-ugly Halloween sweater - for the more mellow approach to Halloween. 

Turn Halloween into your version of fun that's also not so complicated! Need help?

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Are you wondering which colors are so unique to you and yet so adaptable that they weather all of the "seasons"? Then you will love my Brilliant Coloring session. Check it out HERE. 

All of the sources for images above can be found in my online catalog HERE.  For a more customized approach to know the best fit for your figure, you'll love my Fabulous Fit session.  You'll know your figure type and love the many options you'll have to create your illusion of the ideal - looking true to you gorgeous! 

I hear this question throughout the year, but more often in the summer. That's when you’re wearing less clothes and everything you wear needs to work a little harder to make your outfit feel complete. I was recently camping with a friend who is a foodie and great cook. For a picnic at the lake, she hand delivered 15 of us sandwiches.  Not just any sandwiches...grilled salami, cheese, olives and lettuce on croissant sliced bread.  The sandwiches were good, but what made them great?  The bottle of Mike's hot sauce to dip them in.  It's a spicy, vinegary concoction with enough heat to make it interesting without overpowering the other flavors in the sandwich. It made the sandwiches spicy, magical and memorable. In a summer world of tank tops, t-shirts and jorts, it's fairly easy to look and feel ho-hum. Here are a few ways to spice up your look as if it were Frank's hot sauce. ​

Still not sure how to put these strategies into action for yourself? Allow me to style your looks AND get your closet organized so that you can get out the door quick, looking AMAZING, with a wardrobe evaluation. Details HERE or click below.