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.

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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. 

Believe it or not, just as people have different figure types and face shapes, with only a few who are actually ideal, the same goes for feet and ankles! There are wide feet, narrow feet, wide ankles, slim ankles, with every variation in between. So if you happen to have wide feet and/or ankles, which is great for balance, but looks less than ideal, you’re in the right place. If you happen to have narrow feet, and choose to fill them out slightly, you’re in the right place. If you would like to know which style of shoes will make your legs look longer, yes, you are in the right place!
You only have to remember that the Height x Direction x Width = the perfect sandal, (the HxDxW also works when measuring furniture btw).  Be sure to check out the shopping links for my top summer sandal picks at the end.

​When the shoes don't work, it doesn’t matter how great the rest of the outfit is, the look is off. When choosing the right shoe for your foot remember the basic measuring principles of H x D x W and you’ll have the right shoe for your foot and your look every time. Click HERE or the image below for my top summer sandal picks.

What you wear affects your mood. You can’t be amazing if you don’t feel amazing & your clothes affect how you feel. If you find yourself looking through the clothes in your closet in the morning saying, no, no, that doesn’t fit, hate that, that was a gift, not my style, too hot, too dressy, too casual, no, no, no. This takes too much time, and it’s also a negative start to an otherwise lovely day. 

By decluttering and letting go of clothes that no longer serve you, you can lift your mood every time you go to get dressed.  Breaking emotional attachments to clothes can be challenging, but here are some strategies to help:

• Visualize the Benefits of Letting Go: Imagine the freedom and space you'll gain by decluttering and letting go of clothes that no longer serve you. Focus on the positive aspects of simplifying your wardrobe. What would it feel like to go to the closet and quickly pick out what you’re going to wear that day and feel confident that it is perfect for the occasion? 
• Create New Memories: Shift your focus from the past to the present and future. Create new memories and experiences in clothes that you wear and enjoy now. 
• I believe in you…you can let some things go and as you do, Practice Gratitude: Express gratitude for the role that your clothes played in your life, but also recognize that it's okay to let go and make space for new experiences and opportunities.
• Remember, it's normal to feel attached to certain items, but letting go can lead to personal growth and a sense of liberation.

Fill your closet with daily energy by clustering: 

• 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 – top and bottom pieces.
• Select pieces that are basic – simple in style lines and shape.
• Select pieces that go together –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.
• Select accessories to go with the clothes – essential basic accessories first.
• Make a list of missing items
• Shop to gradually expand your cluster(s) – to meet all your wardrobe needs.​

What you wear is heavily influenced by the weather. Let’s face it, all of your best plans for that fail-proof, always-look-great outfit can be easily foiled if the weather takes a turn in an unexpected direction. It’s that time of year to expect the unexpected. I still have gloves and a hat at the ready in case it decides to snow, as well as sunglasses and sunscreen if and when the sun decides to frequent the moment. When the trees are blooming with pastels, bright colored tulips, and daffodils are popping up, who wants to go back to wearing heavy, dark winter clothes? These conditions naturally put a spring in our step and change our attitudes about the clothes we are drawn to.  It’s time to dress like a Spring if you’re into that kind of thing. Here’s how to be in the moment, look and feel as spectacular as the blossoms, and still be comfy when it’s cool.

Focus on the colors of Spring in medium-weight fabrics.
What are the colors of Spring? Lighter, brighter, warmer colors.  Those colors help us to feel youthful, nurturing, and romantic. When you wear them in all-season fabric weights and even heavier weight fabrics you’ll look and feel like Spring without having to compromise being warm. For more on what colors communicate, especially pastel pink, check out this post. 

Layer it up
All-season fabric weights can be chilly on a cloudy, 20 mph wind day….unless you layer with a windbreaker. Thin layers insulate one another as they are trapped under a windbreaker and keep you warm. A button-up shirt is a great solution.  For more tips, check out my Layering 101 post.

Keep a few cozy comforts at the ready.
These are things I might keep in my car glove box until it’s actually summer just in case I’m caught in a cold rain or wind tunnel. Umbrella there’s a reason they say April showers, socks in case it’s cold to show your ankles in those trendy loafers, gloves when your fingers are cold, you’re cold, and a warm knit hat to keep the heat in. And when that glorious sun does make an appearance I would keep the sunscreen, chapstick with spf and maybe a brimmed hat handy.

Be ready for every and anything while looking seasonally appropriate with the right, bright colors and adjustable fabric weights.  Speaking of changing seasons...is your closet ready for a Spring Clean & to put a spring in your step with some fresh new looks?  I'm just a click away.  

Traveling to a cool place this winter? Why wouldn't you? Winter is a great time to avoid the crowds and get discounts on travel. Sounds like fun fun fun until you find yourself having to pack for the trip! Did you know that packing for vacation is most people's LEAST FAVORITE THING TO DO? That's right, it ranks as high as public speaking and going to the dentist on people's hate-to-do-list. And winter travel can be even more challenging with weighty fabrics.  So is it possible to pack everything you need to be warm without packing a jumbo suitcase or multiple jumbo suitcases?  It’s easy to pack small when you’re taking swimsuits and flip-flops, but jackets? No way. What if I told you it’s possible to have over 20 different cool weather looks in a carry-on? Impossible you say? Prepare to learn my method for the impossibly possible. (Check out the shopping links and video at the end.)

2.    Plan the clothes. What does your itinerary look like? Plan 10-15 simple basic pieces that mix and match to accommodate all of the fun included in your agenda. (With a few extra looks for whatever else might come up.) I will usually include 2-3 jackets in this mix - one more dressy, and one more casual. 8 tops and 5 bottoms. Wear the most bulky pieces on the flight to maximize the clothing space in your carry-on. Layering is key! With each item you add, ask yourself these two questions: does it work with 2-3 other things & can I layer it? If the answer is no, chances are it doesn't add value to your carry-on.  See all of the looks I created with the pieces above, with shoppable links, HERE. 
Pro stylist tip:  Cool weather game changers include tights or stockings (that you could layer under everything if needed), gloves, a warm hat, a stuffable windbreaker, and a blanket scarf. If you need a heavy coat, take one that compresses down. The first 4 take up minimal space but can make a huge difference in cooler weather. Wear the blanket scarf on the flight to double as a blanket when you’re cold.

3.    Don’t forget a tote bag that slips over the rolling carry-on. This bag should include anything you might need to have overnight and the next day.  It’s not uncommon for you to get to the gate with your rolling carry-on and tote bag only to be asked to check the rolling carry-on.  Once in a while these little bags get lost and you find yourself on vacation waiting 2-3 days for your bag to show up.  Yes, you may be able to track it but being able to see where it’s at almost makes the waiting-for-it-to-get-to-you game all the more painful.  Pack the essentials for at least the first day in the tote just in case this worst-case scenario happens to you.

How to pack warm clothes in an itty bitty bag and still have enough pieces for a variety of occasions is the classic conundrum.  A strategy that includes lots of layers, wearing bulkier items on travel days, and smart footwear will have you traveling light AND prepared for the little emergencies life may throw at you. Speaking of which, you will love this post on how to be ready for any and everything while traveling here. 

PACKING FOR WINTER VACATION IN A CARRY-ON WITH GOOD THINGS UTAH