When a friend asked my husband and I to spend a week on a boat in the Caribbean docking at a different island every day to  beaches only accessible by boat, our quick answer was yes! When the offer came with the request to just bring a single small carry-on? Pause….longer pause….the answer? "Emmm sure." Packing for a week in a small bag takes a little more thought, but is 100% doable and eliminates the stress of lost luggage upon arrival. (I'm sure you or someone you know started the first 3 days of their vacation having to wear what they wore on the plane because their bag wasn't there upon arriving at the destination - worst start to a vacation ever!) Shopping links below.

So can you pack for the beach in a backpack without looking like a hot mess every day? Yes, you can. Here’s how…
​

1.  Start with the sandals. Nothing is worse than having a blister or aching feet on the second day of vacation because you didn’t take care of them on your first day of vacation.  These will be your one and only pair of shoes, so they must be…

• Comfortable
• Water-friendly
• Versatile enough to wear with a sundress in the evening or swimsuit during the day

2.  Plan 5-10 pieces that coordinate with your sandals of choice. Here are a few suggestions

• 3 swimsuits
• 2 sundresses
• 2 pairs of shorts and 3 tops that all work with the shorts. I will have a t-shirt, a lightweight sweater and button up shirt that can double as a swimsuit cover-up.
• Wrap skirt that works with one or more of the tops above and one of the swimsuits above.
• A single pair of socks in case your feet get cold on the plane.
• Packable sun hat and/or baseball cap.

3.  Add minimal make-up, sunscreen, and hair products.

• Make-up go-to’s include waterproof mascara.
• Elf’s charming stick of color for lips, cheeks, and eyelids.
• Sun bum’s tinted sunscreen.
• Shampoo and conditioner. I will often leave in the conditioner - because some of us have Donna Summer-esc hair when graced by humidity.
• Not you mother’s mousse for said humidity and to bring out every ounce of mermaidy curl.
• Itty bitty hair ties for braiding.

​Pro stylist tip: zip-lock bags are your friend for any liquids or items that are wet once traveling. A friend of mine showed up at the hotel on the first night of vacation, and opened her bag only to find her bottle of lotion had exploded inside the suitcase and had gotten on everything. What a mess! And what an easy way to ruin your first night of vacation. This could have been avoided by putting the lotion in a zip-lock bag to contain a potential spill. Be sure to put your sunscreen in a zip-lock bag! Packing cubes are also great to contain dirty clothes.  

4.  Add a sand-free towel and light-weight beach bag.

• This is light-weight, not bulky and can double as a blanket in the airport.
• A bag that can fold into your suitcase is super handy.

5.  I even had space for a snorkel and travel water colors - because it's fun to feel like a mermaid and capture those magical moments with paint.  And also, the water is so lovely you tend to float without the need of swim fins. 

If your closet is constantly in chaos and you never have “anything to wear”, you can build a new wardrobe one piece at a time that will make your closet a place of joy – not frustration. Here’s how to go from clueless to charmed in your closet:

1. Find a source of inspiration that DOES bring you joy! – ideally that piece has a pattern of colors in a print, stripe, or plaid – to inspire the color scheme.
2. Plan for 5 to 8 easy pieces of clothing – at least 3 tops and 2 bottom pieces. Are the pieces basic? Meaning, are they simple in style, line, and shape? If yes, they will be more versatile in the beginning when you have fewer pieces to work with.
3. Choose pieces that go together – that will work with at least three, four, or more other pieces. Choose pieces that are distinctly different from one another – no two pieces are alike, not yet. This may include a third layer piece, a button-up shirt, and crew-neck or t-shirt for tops. Bottoms may be a pair of pants you can dress up or down and skirt.
4. Add accessories to go with the clothes – essential basic accessories first. AKA shoes you can walk in all day. A shoe you can dress up or down possibly with a heel is great and the other flat.
5. Make a list of missing items & shop to gradually – if you’re starting over this list could be long.

​Lucky you! You’ve got a pro ready to help. Contact me here for your own curated wardrobe. Or see below for shopping links to the video above - those that I love this Spring! 

Evaluate your "classic you" pieces.   Which clothes have you kept around forever because they were so great you just couldn't let them go.  What do they have in common? This is what a pro would ask when evaluating your faves:

1. Are the colors mostly dark and dull or light and bright? Monochromatic or with loads of dark light contrast? 
2. Do the patterns have a more curved flow to them or are they more angular and straight? 
3. Are the textures more rough and nubby or smooth and refined. 
4. Are the hem lengths of jackets, shirts, pants, etc. longer or shorter?
5. Are the shapes more curvy/shapely or boxy/rectangular?

When zeroing in on your personal uniform, be sure to incorporate the trends above that you noticed yourself adopting on repeat - these will become "your classics" and part of your personal uniform.
Yes, this could be where the experience of someone who has worked with hundreds of different people comes in handy. (Feel free to contact your friendly pro stylist here for your personal style defined.)  

Creating your personal uniform doesn't have to be boring, it should be as unique are you are. Use the formula above to uncover the secrets to your stylish personal uniform. I'm happy to assist - and just a click away. 

I’ve heard it over and over in one form or another.  “I feel absolutely clueless in my closet”, or “if my closet magically combusted it would be a relief”, and the oldie but goodie, “I hate everything”.

Here's how to go from clueless to charmed in your closet: 

• Find a source of inspiration that brings you joy! – a pattern of colors in a print, stripe, or plaid – to inspire the color scheme of your cluster.
• Plan for 5 to 8 easy pieces of clothing – at least 3 tops and 2 bottom pieces.
• Are the pieces basic? Meaning, are they simple in style, line, and shape? If yes, they will be more versatile in the beginning when you have fewer pieces to work with.
• Choose pieces that go together – that will work with at least three, four, or more other pieces.
• Select pieces that are distinctly different from one another – no two pieces are alike, not yet. This may include a third layer piece, a button-up shirt, and crew-neck or t-shirt for tops.  Bottoms may be a pair of pants you can dress up or down and skirt.
• Select accessories to go with the clothes – essential basic accessories first. AKA shoes you can walk in all day.  A shoe you can dress up or down possibly with a heel is great and the other flat.
• Make a list of missing items - if you’re starting over this list could be long.  Lucky you! You’ve got a pro ready to help.  Contact me here or subscribe to my newsletter for monthly inspiration here.
• Shop to gradually expand your cluster(s) – so that you don’t have to say “No” to any event because you don’t have the right thing to wear.

Sweaters can be cozy, comfy and warm, and like a rich hot chocolate they have the potential to pack on the pounds.  I have a trick for a slimming hot chocolate - that tastes much better than the fat free beauty contestant variety shown in Miss Congeniality.  AND I know a few ways to make your cozy sweater look 100% more flattering. First the sweater magic...

Length matters! 
Watch the hem lengths on wrists and waist. A traditional sleeve length should end at the wrist bone when the arm is bent.  If too long or too short, push the sleeves up.  If the sleeves don’t want to stay pushed up, opt for another sweater or keep the sleeves in place with an elastic band. Put an elastic over the sleeve and billow the sweater over to camouflage it. If the sleeves are constantly hanging on your hand, you can risk looking like a child wearing your parent’s clothes. ​

Contrasting colors at your widest place will make you look wider. The eye is drawn to contrast, instead of the bottom hem hitting at the widest part of your hip, try a partial tuck at the waist, or wear a belt over the sweater and blouse slightly. Matching your pants with your sweater generally eliminates the contrast and will be figure-flattering as well.  Or choose a sweater that’s more fitted at the waist with built-in blousing, this style also works well to minimize a tummy bulge. 
​​

Texture matters!
Pay attention to the texture.  Wait what really is texture? (And when are we going to talk about color? lol) Texture describes the body and surface of fabric. Textures may be rough or smooth, coarse or fine, thin or bulky, heavy or light, or any combination of these characteristics. Heavy, bulky, rough, and/or coarse textures can add more visual weight. Fine, lighter-weight textures can reduce visual weight. 

Color, of course, matters! 
In general, darker, duller colors will minimize and make you appear smaller. Lighter, brighter colors will have the opposite affect.  They can make you appear larger. 
​

One last disclaimer, it's not only what you wear, it's how you wear it! Rules can be broken...the principles above may be adjusted slightly based on your figure type or body build. Not sure what that is? Let me enlighten you with my comprehensive Fab Fit course - now offered for men and women.  You will learn not only your figure type (what) but also the how and why to create your version of the ideal using classic styling principles so that you will know exactly how to start the new year looking taller, slimmer, and leaner. Happy New Year! 
​

Accessories are like frosting on the cake.  They take any look and step it up a notch. Like frosting on a cake, you can sweeten your look with accessories.   

1. Accessories can HIGHLIGHT the POSITIVE.   Love your slim waist?  Play it up with a fabulous belt! Looking to minimize the waist? Wear a long necklace that draws the eyes to a vertical line at your center.  (In a recent presentation, I asked audience members what their favorite attribute was.  One person said that she loves her wrists because they are slender and beautiful.  Her wrists are screaming for a lovely bracelet or bangle.) A well-placed accessory can divert the viewer’s gaze away from areas on your face or figure where you don't want attention and direct it to an area where you do.  We've all had those days when Mount St. Helens decided to erupt on our face.  Yes, make-up or a large bandaid is an option.  But the make-up never tends to wear off too soon and the bandaid looks nearly as bad as the volcano you're trying to hide. Accessories can take the attention away from the negative and accentuate the positive.  
2. Accessories make the look UNIQUELY YOU! This is your chance to add a piece of YOU and what you’re all about to any basic pieces. The right accessory will give "assembly line" clothes a look of distinction.  Using similar black pants and black pull over sweater, we have created a dramatically different look with the addition of a few accessories.  Your accessories are pieces that signal your personal style.  Add a more classic/romantic with pearls or drama with with a fringed collar. Bows are popular. take a basic white button up shirt and add a black tie - great to dress up jeans for a holiday party and help people to focus more on your face. Square toed mary-janes will look more approachable and cute - while a more pointed toe heel will look a bit more poised and assertive.  The accessories you choose and their line, shape, color, texture and pattern all coincide with your unique taste, your physical attributes and the garment they are added to.   If you have blue eyes, add a touch of "you" to the outfit with blue earrings or a blue beanie.  Accessories are a fabulous way to reinforce the best in you.  
3. INSTANT PANACHE, the finishing touch.  Burgundy boots? They may look out of place until the color is repeated somewhere else - try adding a burgundy beanie or bangle.  A harmonious accessory can be a "completer piece" that pulls together the look of a new outfit coordinating separates and creating a finished appearance. This sweater is nice, but add a scarf that ties in the color with yours and it’s sweet. It's amazing what a few accessories can do to enhance even yoga pants and t-shirt.  There have been times when I've been knee deep in housework, with little time to change before going out.  By throwing a ruana on over my t-shirt and jeans, and adding a boot with a cute boot, I look as polished as ever.  See more on ruanas here.  A nice pattern in the accessories that combines the colors of the basic solid colored pieces is a fabulous way to pull everything together. 

ALSO...

• off-black stockings for warmth, neutral enough to work with most things
• layered necklaces best layered under a collared shirt or simple jewel neckline top
• size and scale should be consistent with the size and scale of the person - if she’s a taller, fuller figured woman then accessories should be medium to large.  If smaller, petite woman accessories should be small to medium in scale.

As a fashion coach, I teach people to organize their closets in a way that gets them dressed quick and out the door looking amazing. I have been in A LOT of closets! These are a few easy costume ideas based on what you may already have lurking in your closet.  Do you own a white t-shirt? Jeans? Striped top? Black yoga pants? Anything fuzzy and furry looking? How about a new (or old is even better) barn coat? If yes to any of the above, I've got a great last minute costume you can throw together quick and get out the door looking appropriate and amazing! (Click on any of the images for shopping links.)

Dad Joke
Do you have a white t-shirt? A decent knowledge of corny jokes? Write them down on a big t-shirt, barrel jeans work great here as well, add a pillow (unless you have a baby bump), maybe a mustache and trucker hat and you’re all set to be classic dad joke. My favorite dad joke: What does a mermaid use to clean her clothes? Tide - hahahahahahaha

Fly Guy
Wear your black pants, black shirt, and glasses. Go and grab some foam core from the grocery store and this fly guy costume is all yours! This was one of my kid's favorite books because the fly would talk your ear off - it always sounded like buzzzzz. Here's a link to the book if you're in what all the buzz surrounding Fly Guy is all about.

What to wear when the mountains say Fall, but the temps say Summer? Would you rather be outside soaking up the last sunny days before winter hits instead of changing your closet out for winter weather?  The weather hasn’t quite committed to being cold all of the time, we get warm days with cooler mornings and evenings.  And you may not be ready to take all of the light-weight summer pieces out of your closet yet. Here’s what to do before you’re ready to truly commit to winter-wear. Oh and be sure to check out my shopping links for cluster/capsule shown above HERE.

• Wear all-season fabrics and even summer weights - and add Fall earth tone colors. ​
• You can still wear white (yes you can wear white after Labor Day), cream, and even pastel colors, we’re just going to add some darker and earth tones colors to them.  Here's how VIDEO or POST. 
• Change your makeup color slightly (going for a darker blush and lip). Instead of pink choose dusty rose, burgundy, or spiced latte depending on your skin tone.
• Layers - yes there is something warm to put on besides your hoodie! Lighter layers are key - denim jackets, cardigans, and even a blazer are great - (most of my first-time clients are lacking in this area). Get tips on layering HERE.
• You may say a sad "fare thee well" to your sandals and embrace the ankle showing - toe covering options like loafers, sneakers, and boots.

There’s no need to do a full closet clean-out for winter yet.  Get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather by tweaking just a few things to look and feel perfect for the season by adapting your summer-wear for cooler Fall temps.

​

It’s back to school week and you’ve got enough to do without thinking about ironing your clothes.  Here’s what to do instead:

SMOOTH FABRICS WITH YOUR HANDS DIRECTLY OUT OF THE WASHER OR DRYER

• If it's delicate or you're afraid it will shrink, don't put it in the dryer. Take it out of the washer, lay them out on a bed or drying mat and iron out with your hands. (Wash at night, lay out in the morning, hang up at the end of the day if you’re using your bed.)
• For more stable fabrics like denim or knits, dry until they are "mostly dry" then spread on the bed or mat and smooth out any creases with your hands. Stack pants on pants, shirts on shirts, etc., as the weight of the the stacked clothes will further press out wrinkles.
• Leave the garment on the bed or mat or you can also hang over a shower curtain rod or add a spring bar to your shower for hanging. (This is my preferred method for workout clothes that I don't want to dry. The more you dry and wash your clothes, the quicker they wear out.)

CHOOSE NO IRON FABRICS 

• Synthetic materials like nylon, spandex, and acrylic are wrinkle-free options. Other synthetic fabrics that are crease-resistant include polyester, rayon, viscose, and Tencel lyocell.  100% cotton or linen may wrinkle more so look for a blend that includes some synthetic material.  How to know if it wrinkles easy? Scrunch the fabric in your hand and see what happens. If it looks creased after scrunching it, the garment will wrinkle easily when you wear it. 
• Fabrics that are intentionally textured such as crinkle cloth or seersucker are even better with wear!

Looking for more ways to save time getting ready for your day? You'll love my course on how to create  efficient clusters / capsules in your closet that help your get ready quick and out the door looking amazing!  Learn more HERE!

Are you thinking of trying out tennis core? Not sure what tennis core is? Without sounding redundant, it’s preppy, sporty clothing with a 1970’s era tennis styling at it’s core.  (By the way, I’m not sure who decided to put the word core behind every new trend lately but we’re going with it.)  It may include white stripes or trim next to saturated, yet slightly muted colors like tomato red, hunter green, navy and white. The style gives a definite Steve Prefontaine vibe. I’ve seen it looking lovely on some and not so lovely on others.  So I’m here to offer some guidance on how to make it work well for you!

Look for classic pieces, those that fit and flatter most figure types. Polos and V-neck sweaters with a striped detail give country club vibes in a classy tennis core way. Add drapey-fabric pleated pants and you will have aced the look. Here are a few suggestions:

Not every new trend is for every person.  Are you wondering how to pick and choose which new trend to adopt? Which one works best for your personal style? Then you will love my personal style session where we build a road map that defines where to spend your money and where to watch the teenagers become regrettable fashion victims instead.