 It's summer. It's hot. There's a pandemic. You're not seeing as many people in person. So who cares about what you wear? Maybe no one. But you do. Think about it. If you were to switch wardrobes with your neighbor, and could only wear their clothes, would you feel like your normal self? Of course not. It would be comical really. The clothes wouldn't fit right, the patterns would be off - not like your favorites, colors would be too bright or too blah, and when you put them on you just feel like something's off. Kind of like dressing during Covid. How has the pandemic affected your clothing choices? Maybe you haven't switched wardrobes with your neighbor, but you may have put on some weight and the clothes aren't fitting right. Maybe you've gotten so used to comfy athleisure styles that you've forgotten how nice it feels to get dressed up, losing an aspect of who you are, and becoming much more one-dimensional in the process. The truth is, what you wear truly does affect how you feel about yourself. How has your Covid clothing choices affected your mental health? With so many things beyond our control right now, what you wear and how it makes you feel is one of the few things you can control. So I'm giving you three ways to get out of the Covid style rut and enhance your mood using something as simple as your clothing. 1. Start your Style File using Pinterest or your online closet (which you most certainly have if you've work with me in the past). Never underestimate the power of envisioning how you want to look and who you want to be, even if the next couple of months are uncertain. Using a few online tools is a great way to collect images of how you see your future self with or without the Covid restrictions. 
2. Create at least three different looks with some of your favorite standbys. You might try a different accessory, a different color combination, a new look in layering pieces. Be creative and have fun. 
3. For a period of one week, put together a different look with your clothes and try to project a different image each day. Forget trying out styles you obviously don’t like or obviously don’t fit. 
 With a bit of self analysis you'll become more in tune with your personal style and confident creating the image you've dreamed of. And of course I'm here to assist you, in person or virtually, my mission in life is to help you look and feel like a million bucks no matter what you're doing. Get out of your style rut and feel amazing again with the help of a pro. Your very own image consultant is just a click away. CALL/TEXT 385.229.6297 OR E-MAIL DANI@STYLEBYDANI.COM Tips above have been inspired by Judith Rasband, Conselle Institute of Image Management.
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 1. Wearing Dad jeans Please don't! Mom jeans may be making a come-back but sorry, it's not happening with Dad jeans. That's not to say you should adopt a Jonas brother style skinny jean or a rock-a-billy rhinestone studded jean. Like dogs, well fitting jeans are a dad's best friend. Here's what to look for.
WRONG. There's power in knowing your best colors.
Can your say visual confusion? Your shirt and pants should send a consistent message. Wearing dressy shirts with casual pants sends mixed signals about your purpose and maybe even your attention to detail.
Oof! They may have cool yellow shoe laces or be super expensive Air Jordans, but if they don't relate to the rest of your outfit, you risk looking like a fashion victim.
Swing and a miss. Ever noticed the belts pro golfers wear? They're usually as sporty as the rest of their outfit. Your belt should also repeat the mood of your look that day.
Looking for an easy gift for you or the dad in your life? Find the perfect gift HERE. Not sure which is the best option? Let's talk it through.
Call 385-229-6297  The above quote describes how I feel about this Covid Coaster we've been riding for the past few months. The highs and lows have got me focused less on the anxiety expressed in the news and more on what I can do to support my family and my extended tribe. Which includes you! I wish I could give you a real-life big hug, but for now, know that I care and hope you're finding ways to improve yourself during this global PAUSE. A wise woman once told me of a friend who had been left standing at the alter. All of her dreams of the perfect husband, marriage, and "happily ever after" quickly vanished out the window as she stood there alone. After wallowing for a few days, she decided she couldn't change the world but she could change herself. So she made her top ten list, her bucket list of everything she wanted to do in her life. From long term dreams like visiting the Eiffel Tower to learning how to make bread. Although the Eiffel Tower was not in her budget at the time, learning French was. So she started there with the help of an online app. Chipping away at the other 9 bucket list items came next. Those things she could change until she changed enough to become a more complete version of herself. Eventually she found another guy, who didn't stand her up at the alter. It turns out that her "happily ever after" was more about becoming than the chaos happening around her. How are you taking advantage of this Time Out? What's on your top 10 list that you can chip away at? I'm here for you! Does your list include comfy at-home looks other than the sweats you've already worn twice this week? How about the clothes you should keep versus those to let go of as the weather turns warm? Those pieces with colors that enhance your best features and help give you positive vibes? How about the clothing styles that will hide and/or take attention away from all the pandemic comfort eating?
I've been working hard to convert all of my in-person sessions to virtual sessions. Because I care about you, I'm offering a substantial discount. Each session below will cost $59 instead of the normal $95. And I've added an additional session for video calls. Gift cards are available for Mother's Day with group discounts. (Offer expires June 1, 2020.) Which one fits into your pandemic self-improvement plans?
All the best for a wonderful Mother's Day and a productive Pause! Dani  What does your quarantined to do list look like? Is it similar to mine? √ Do the dishes √ Clean garage √ Do the dishes √ Clean out closet and cluster clothes (click here for instructions) √ Do the dishes √ Make bread Put on pants that button √ Do the dishes √ Organize linen closet Summerize boots Yes, washing dishes seems to be a common theme around here. And I've learned from my sister, who has worked from home for years, that wearing pants that actually button is a good way to keep yourself honest and feeling good about yourself. Since many of us have extra time to organize and spring clean, harnessing your energy on that vital accessory that can make or break your day seems natural. After all, you may have searched hard to find the perfect pair of boots that are comfy, chic, and classy all rolled up in a soft buttery leather exterior. You owe it to yourself to take good care of this investment that keeps paying you back. Here's how to give those winter shoes a lovely summer vacation. 1. Clean them up. They may be covered with salt stains (yes, that’s what the white residue is), dirt, and muck. The salt stains can be removed with a soft-bristle toothbrush and a solution of water and vinegar. Mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water. Gently rub the mixture into the salt stains using a soft cloth or brush. Keep adding the mixture to your shoes to remove the stain. This method will also strip your shoes of wax polish if you have buildup. Once you've tackled all the salt stains, use a leather cleaner to clean any remaining spots. 2. Deep Condition—specifically your leather boots—to be done immediately after you clean them. Camp Dry milk oil or Dr. Martens Balsam are great products to rehydrate the leather that may be way to dry for comfort. 3. Do they need to be repaired? If your boots are worth repairing, don’t wait until the Fall, or for the first big snow to realize that you can't even wear your boots until you've taken them to the shoemaker. Yes, my favorite shoe repair shop is open now with limited hours. Apparently shoes are considered vital during a pandemic. 4. Keep them in shape. Before putting your boots away, stuff them with either a shoe tree or acid free tissue paper so that their shape is maintained. Use foam swim noodles, cut to size, or boot shapers to help keep the boot's shaft standing upright. If moisture is a problem, using desiccants (silica gels) or cedar shoe trees is the best option to prevent dry rotting. The cedar absorbs the moisture and has anti-bacterial and deodorant properties. Not only will it keep the mold away, and any bugs that may attack your shoes, but your shoes will also smell nice. Since shoe trees last forever, and they are quite cheap, investing in a pair of cedar shoe trees might be the smartest investment you can make for your shoe care. Find shoe trees here. 5. Get them smelling good. You can either purchase a shoe deodorizing spray, or fill a sachet with baking soda and put in your shoes. 6. Give them a summer vacation. Storing boots upright on an open shelf is ideal, but you can also store them in their shoe box with acid free tissue paper. If you are planning to store them together in a large box, make sure you lay the heaviest ones down first. Lay a cloth or old tee between every pair, or place them into a dust-bag. Dust and sunlight can alter the color so it’s best to protect your investment from both. Don’t store your shoes in a plastic shoe box as this will prevent natural air circulation and create the perfect environment for moisture that may lead to mold. What's on your Spring to do list? To get organized? To get educated? This is great time to zero in on what your personal style actual is. Did you know that you can learn what your shape is and how to create the illusion of your ideal figure? What your best colors are with tangible color swatches? How to be uniquely you, genuine and age appropriate in your clothing choices? All done virtually! Contact me here to get started.
Does anyone feel like you’re in a reality show where the host is going to jump out of the bushes at any moment and yell, “Psyche! You’re on hidden camera!” Does your show include waving to your neighbors, those you have been social distancing for years, and notice something’s a little off? Wait, are they wearing sweats? He looks like he hasn’t shaved since….the quarantine started. She didn't put on make-up? Now that's a change! It’s almost like that Batman movie where the joker infected all of the makeup so no one could wear any. The news people had rashes from it and sunken eyes.  In Batman (1989) the news anchors stop wearing makeup after the Joker poisons beauty hygeine products in Gotham. Is this where we’re headed? Is the Joker behind the camera? Apparently not, and the WHO says WFH is the way to go. But a hidden camera reality show is almost more believable. So here we are, keeping the show going until the hidden camera stops rolling. And yes, it’s time to keep up appearances, both for your own mental health AND job security. If you are one of those fortunate souls able to WFH (work from home), it’s important now, more than ever, to maintain your polished appearance and send a message that’s consistent with your in-office persona. After all, people are used to seeing how you look in the office. Having a crumpled, frumpled appearance at home is sending mixed signals about your consistent behavior, dedication to your goals, and attention to detail. Consider your next video call as a made for TV moment you can use to your advantage, to shine as much during video calls as you do in person. Here’s how… 1. Keep design details near the face As Ashton Kutcher says in Cheaper By the Dozen, “my face is the money maker”. This is where you want the focus. How can you keep the focus on your face? Wearing a shirt with a collar is a great way to bring the focus near your face. Angular collars will appear more polished and purposeful than rounded collars. A third layer piece will also add some visual authority and help your appearance to be more consistent with your message. The third layer will also provide contrast in the center of your body leading attention up to the face. A row of buttons on your shirt, a necklace or scarf will also draw their eyes up to the "money maker". 2. Fit matters You want your shirt or jacket to fit well. How can you tell? The shoulder seam line should line up with shoulder joint. Collars and lapels should be in scale with the frame of the person wearing them, narrower collars/lapels on a narrower person, wider collars/lapels for a wider person. This same principle of scale applies to accessories such as necklaces, scarves, ties, etc. 3. Grooming is important You want the focus of the video call to be on your face and what you have to say, not the wrinkles on your shirt, the grease spot, or bed head. Make sure your clothes look neat, ironed, hair is done well and make-up looks naturally enhanced. (Ex nay on the Joker infested not gonna wear make-up today look.) 4. Wear the right colors Not much has been written about this one and yet it’s a simple way to create a strong message. Repeat your eye color in your clothing and others have trouble focusing on anything but your eyes. Repeat your lip color and others will focus on your mouth. You could also take one of the colors in your background and repeat it in your clothing. For example, if there’s a green plant in view, wear emerald green to coordinate with it. 5. What about the background? Eliminate as many distractions as possible. Keep the background simple, neat, and organized. The last thing you want is for them to see the dirty clothes on the floor or a cluttered, dated room. If that’s not possible, search for an app that allows you to change the background. You in front of the Bay Bridge is much more fun than you in front of a sink full of dirty dishes. 6. Good lighting, strategically placed “Proper lighting eliminates unwanted shadows that may skew a person’s facial expressions or appearance. Sit facing a light source. Sitting with your back to a window or bright light source can negatively impact the quality of the video call by giving you a harsh silhouette effect. Whenever possible, sit facing a window, desk lamp, or other light source to ensure your face is well illuminated and clearly visible.” Natural lighting it great. If possible, sit facing a window, if not possible use soft directional light, the closer it is to you the better. You may even want to set up two lights. If you imagine a clock in front of you, position one light at at 11 o’clock and one at 2 o’clock. Using a lot of white or bright surfaces and walls in your room will brighten up the space by bouncing light around. (Lighting tips provided by lifesize: https://www.lifesize.com/en/video-conferencing-blog/video-conference-lighting) Not sure how to make your clothes work for you? I'm just a video call away!  The ultimate date night is almost here. Do you feel clueless about what to wear this Valentine’s Day or any date night for that matter? Do you feel like it’s easier to just throw on that sweater and jeans than spend precious time nailing the perfect look? The truth is, you just need to understand a bit about the psychology of clothing to know which pieces communicate softness, fun, motion, gracefulness, and approachability verses strength, force, and authority. And yes, btw, it’s important to know both and when it’s appropriate to use them. Look for these details in your date night look and brace yourself for the magic that’s soon to follow. 1. Put a little curve in your shape with puffy or rounded sleeves.
Or hourglass shapes fitted at the waist.
2. Rounded patterns are an easy way to bring out the lovey-dovey soft side in you. Try them in floral prints.
Or heart shaped patterns. If the heart sweater is too overt for you, try the heart pattern in a smaller scale.
3. Warm colors are an easy way to spark the love. Try burgundy, pink sapphire, deep red, rose coral, even a rich chocolate brown. For more ideas on color check out Showing the Love in Your Valentine's Day look and my Fox13 video with Big Budah HERE.
Feel free to combine all of these elements in the same outfit, but for a subtle date night vibe you are wise not to overdo it. Using one or two of these strategies is sure to get you and those around you feeling the love. Don't forget the accessories, you'll want them to repeat the same curvy shapes and textures you're wearing in your clothes. Wondering how to adapt what you have to fit your date night or any other occasion? You'll love a wardrobe evaluation, the perfect, sweet, calorie free gift you'll enjoy every time you get dressed.
 This is the perfect time to declutter and organize your wardrobe. Now that the holiday mayhem has subsided you may even find yourself with a little extra time on your hands. And who doesn't love walking into a well-lit, well-organized closet that gets you excited to start your day? Or are you one of those people who wears the same thing every day? And when you do venture out of your same outfit comfort zone, do you spend 20-40 minutes putting together something new? If you organize well, putting together new looks that make you feel inspired will take you 5 minutes max. Here's the system...watch out for the biggest mistake you may be making.
Looking to add an extra half hour to your day? With a professional wardrobe evaluation you'll experience efficiency & inspiration that puts time back on your side! Learn more HERE.  Don't you just LOVE plaid? It's one of those classic patterns that will always be around, especially this time of year. Because of the often larger, bolder horizontal and vertical lines, the effect can enlarge the figure...looking like bricks on a house. The right colors for the holidays? Yes. And who doesn’t want that “homey” feeling this time of year? I’ll never forget that December when I found myself wearing red and green plaid flannel pjs. I felt so warm and cozy, and oh so….plump. It wasn’t completely holiday weight, it was holiday pattern arrangement and placement. The wide horizontal and vertical lines on the top and bottom made my silhouette appear about a foot broader than it really was…truly like a brick house. (Cue the Commodores...video below.) If you're interested in rocking the plaid without looking like a brick house, check out these smart, slimming ways to wear your favorite plaid. 1. Wear the plaid diagonally. Diagonal lines tend to be more slimming than vertical/horizontal lines. Look for clothing pieces with diagonally placed plaids and watch visual weight disappear. You'll find this strategy applied to tops, bottoms, dresses, breast pockets on shirts, and even scarves. If you have a plaid scarf, twist it so that the plaid is turned diagonally.
2. Wear a smaller scale pattern. Plaids and checks are similar with their vertical/horizontal design. In general, expect smaller check patterns to minimize the figure and larger checks to maximize or enlarge the figure.
3. Wear plaid on your slimmer area to balance the fullness elsewhere. Is the bottom half of your body larger than the top? Or do you want your shoulders to appear more broad? Try wearing the pattern on your top to balance bottom-heavy weight, creating the illusion of a more balanced, ideal figure. Top Half Appears to Be Bigger/Broader
Is the top half of your body larger than the bottom? Try wearing the pattern on your bottom half to balance top-heavy weight, creating the illusion of a more balanced, ideal figure. Bottom Half Appears Fuller
Looking for more slimming ways to wear your favorite patterns? You'll LOVE a Fabulous Fit session. Appear taller, slimmer, and leaner with techniques customized for your figure type. Call/text 385.229.6297 or message Dani@StyleByDani.com The one, the only, Commodores doing She's a Brick House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrBx6mAWYPU
 Boots at H&M Do you have a favorite pair of boots? Boots that you could wear anywhere and everywhere, that always look good and are oh so comfortable? If you don't, there's a perfect pair out there with your name written all over them. If you do, what makes them so special? So perfect? Answer that question and you'll find the perfect pair no matter what the seasonal trend may be. You've got questions. I've got answers. Learn what to look for in a boot meant for walking vs. cat walking and everything in between. These boots are made for walkingWEDGE SNEAKER BOOTIE A sneaker bottom with snakeskin top is the ultimate mix of comfort and beauty. The 2" heel is perfect to give everything about you a lift while still being comfortable enough to walk in all day. The sneaker bottom suggests you wear this with sporty looks and generally limits this shoe to more relaxed occasions. Pull the clothing colors from the pattern, off-white, white, black, and warm taupes or plum will be wonderful with this shoe.  Linea Paolo Amber Wedge Sneaker at Nordstrom WAFFLE BOTTOM BOOT This rugged looking shoe is great for cold weather comfort. The waffle bottom suggests plenty of traction for slick surfaces. A less refined suede texture is your cue to wear this shoe with equally textured fabrics such as denim, flannel, tweed, herringbone. Obviously a great shoe for daytime, active comfort, not so much for evening events.  Marc Fisher LTD Izzie at Nordstrom MOTO BOOT Oh the moto boot! Cool, chic, heavy and great for walking comfort. Pull out the leather or denim jacket with this boot and you're good to go all day long. This boot packs a rebel without a cause vibe and is best worn in a more casual or creative setting, generally limited to daytime events.  Spring Step Diony Motorcycle Bootie at DSW These boots are made for cat walkingSTILETTO BOOT There is no doubt that this is a beautiful shoe. The snakeskin and slouchy heeled style is very much on trend. The heel and shaft height are great with midi length dresses, they actually slim the leg where the hem hits the calve instead of causing it to look wider. And yes, this is a common problem for midi lengths on bare legs. If you can wear a high narrow heel all day, feel free! For the rest of us, this beauty will be the statement piece for the next evening event.  Jessica Simpson Saferra Boot at DSW LIGHT COLORED SUEDE BOOT Another gorgeous boot. However, the light colored suede can show wear quickly and denim may dye it slightly blue. Spraying with a scotch guard protectant, the second you get home, will help clean the dirt off more quickly. The color and the heel height dictate that you wear this beauty selectively for clean, mostly seated events.  Louise Et Cie Sevita boot at DSW These boots are made for anything and everythingBLOCK HEEL BOOTIE Simplicity is the key to versatility. The 2" block heel in this bootie provides all day comfort without sacrificing the lift that we all love. The smooth leather allows you to dress this boot up or down with understated elegance. A boot that works for so many occasions and is comfortable to wear all day long is worth the investment.  Compass in black at OTBT.com (get an extra 15% off with code DANI15) WEDGE BOOTIE A wedge heel gives you pleasing height in addition to comfort and stability. All trademarks of a - wear for hours on end - type of shoe. The three different textures in this bootie allow you to pair it with a variety of textures from denim and suede to more refined fabrics with some sheen like satin or crepe. It's easy to dress this boot up or down and lovely for many occasions.  Dharma in Acorn at OTBT.com (get an extra 15% off with code DANI15) WEDGE OVER-THE-KNEE BOOT Another lovely wedge style boot, this one has a 2-1/2" heel, my favorite height for all day wear. Great for a slimming leg with midi length dresses without sacrificing comfort. Wear with skirts or dresses of any length as well as fitted pants. For the most slimming ways to wear this and other styles of boots check out The How To Wear Boots for Longer Looking Legs Guide.  Colitta Over-the-knee boot at Nordstrom 2-3" HEEL HEIGHT BOOT The optimal heel and shaft height for day and evening. This boot also captures the animal skin trend without looking too trendy. And the versatile cinnamon rust color is great with most colors you pair it with. The heel height, design, shaft height and color all make this another gorgeous boot for a variety of occasions.  Jeffery Campbell Candle Knee High Boot at Nordstrom No matter your walk of life, there's a boot out there that's calling your name. Need help choosing the right one for you? I'm just a CLICK away! CHECK OUT MY LATEST SEGMENT ON FOX 13'S THE PLACE AS JENNY AND I TALK THROUGH THE PROS AND CONS OF OUR FAVORITE BOOTS Get the falling for boots CatalogWith discounts on my favorite styles  It's October and it's cold... today... lovely tomorrow afternoon... then rainy and cold in the evening. October is predictably unpredictable when it comes to the weather. The key to being comfortably warm is to layer, take off a layer and you're comfortably cool. Aside from being comfortable in any type of weather, layering is a great way to create more looks from fewer clothes. If you know what you're doing, it doesn't take much to triple the looks in your wardrobe. There are two main guidelines for layering well. First, the outer layer needs to be cut slightly bigger than the one underneath. Second, the outer layer should be a heavier weight (or at least appear to be a heavier weight) than the layer underneath. Here are 3 ways to take basic pieces and create multiple looks with them. Be sure to watch the video at the end, where Budah and I show the do's and don'ts of layering. Start With...A button up collared shirt - blue chambray is my shirt of choice 1. Wear with a tank under and roll up the sleeves.  2. Layer under a buttoned up cardigan, or a cowl neck or turtleneck sweater and pop the collar to frame the face.  3. Add a blazer for even more polish. (Hint: every time you add a layer it’s instant street cred.)  A straight, button up shirt dress 1. Wear as a dress with the fabric belt (as show above)or tie a bow in front of the buttons.  2. Change the belt. The dress often comes with a belt, lately we are seeing them in fabric. Swap this out for a nice leather belt and the effect is oh so rich.  3. Wear as a duster vest or jacket. When the dress is left open, the narrow column of color that's left in between creates a slimming effect. Who doesn't want that?  Blanket scarf 1. Some dresses are difficult to layer, a swing dress was made for a large scarf. Drape the scarf like a ruana, over the shoulders and draping in the front. Add a pin to hold it in place on the shoulder and/or belt to keep it close to the body. Be careful with the belt as this can add visual weight to the tummy if the scarf is bulky.  2. Bunch the scarf together so that it is narrow and long. Layer it under the lapels of your blazer or trench coat.  3. Wear it like a shawl with matching boots.  See how it's done in real time when Dani and Big Budah discuss the do's and don'ts of layering with sweaters, shirt dresses and collars poppin' like a preppy. Layering is a great way to discover your own personal style and develop a look that is uniquely you. Searching for more ways to layer the basic pieces in your closet? Then you'll love a wardrobe evaluation. Get the details HERE.
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Dani SlaughImage consultant and personal stylist. Dani is happily married, the mother of 3 charming children, and an Aussie named Josie Wales. Archives
May 2020
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