 I have officially graduated to having kids who love riding roller coasters. Wahoo! It's been a long wait but totally worth it. To watch your child scream and belly laugh uncontrollably is what every mother lives for. Right? As I'm gearing up for a long day of coaster to coaster riding, I realize it's time to leave the big floppy hat and skirt at home. No more being an observer of littles at kiddie land. I get to be in the action now, with the big kids, spinning upside down, front-ways, back-ways, side-ways, getting wet, then hot, then sweaty, then wet again. Oh the joy! It occurs to me that spending the entire day at the amusement park with all this action, takes some serious outfit planning. Not willing to sacrifice one minute of precious time running back and forth to a locker, I've come up with this list of things to wear to keep your money, phone, and of course dignity, in tact. 1. Pockets with zippers + zip lock bag for the phone A phone is handy for fun photos and contacting AWOL group members, but the last thing you should be worrying about when you're about to take a hundred foot plunge into the water is whether or not your phone is going to get wet OR fall out of your pocket. Shirts and shorts or pants with zippers are golden in this situation. Put your phone in a zip lock or water-proof bag before the pocket and you're safe as a kitten. 2. Fanny pack You may call it a mini belt bag, a running waist pack, money belt, hip pack, or my favorite a pocket front bumbag. It's essentially a fanny pack and has proven to be a trusted friend in on-the-go circumstances. I normally wear mine under my shirt right at the waist. If it's empty, it lays close and is hardly noticeable. When it's full, a little blousing and even distribution of the essentials inside is also a good disguise. If you don't need that extra granola bar and have plenty of zippered pockets, feel free to leave the pack at home.  3. Clothes that dry quickly Wet clothes in heavy-weight or obsorbent fabric tend to either chafe or just feel uncomfortable as they take forever to dry. Denim is one of these. Ditch the cut-offs friends and instead try quick drying shorts or pants that your skin will thank you for later. 4. Comfortable shoes This one is fairly obvious, if you're going to be on your feet walking on concrete all day you want happy feet. Many people wear sneakers with socks. These can take time to dry if they get wet and may cause blistering. I've found that supportive flip flops actually work well. You can take them off and leave them on the ground for rides where your feet fly through the air and hanging coasters have a base that your feet stay on. Sandals with straps are an even safer bet. Cool, quick drying, and supportive. 5. Hair tie, earrings, necklaces, lipstick This is where the dignity stays in tact. You can avoid looking like a drowned mouse with a little updo, earrings with backs, a secure necklace and yes 12 hour lipstick. Say hello to end of the evening photos because you're gonna look great! Is there anything you would add to the list? Post it below or just share this post with your coaster crazy friends! You know you have an event coming up where you want to, not only leave with your dignity in tact, but with your companions saying "NICE LOOK"! I'm here to help you nail it....  I’m in 4th grade, and I’m playing the outfield. Because that’s where they put you when you’re the youngest, smallest girl on the softball team. I’m getting pretty good at identifying balloon animals from the shapes of clouds in the sky…there’s not a lot of action in the outfield. Except for that one ball, the one that rolls past second base, over the sprinkler head, past the dandelion and right through my legs. As I’m chasing the ball down through my outfield to the outfield of the field next to mine and into the playground at the edge of the park, I realize how embarrassing it is to run after a ball, that I should have caught, with so many people watching… Have you ever made a mistake and felt the whole world watching you? This is when I decide to be a pitcher. Because as a pitcher, I’m the first defender instead of the last. If the ball goes between my legs, there are people behind me to run down the ball or actually catch it. Now there’s a concept! So I get a bucket of balls, paint a rectangle target on the cedar fence and start throwing and throwing. If I’m focused on the target, my pitches become strikes. Strikes become strike-outs and I become an influencer. No longer waiting back on the defensive. But taking control of the game and it’s outcome for me and my team.  Your image, your self-presentation is noticed first and remembered longer than anything you say. Your image is your greatest influencer. How are you pitching it? Are you considering the effects your appearance has first on you, then on others? Are you using the elements of design to influence the outcome of that message?
 Are you feeling "stuffocated" in your closet? Do you long for the simple life and simple approach to clothing? James Wallman, in his book Stuffocation, describes how we need less stuff and more experiences. Are you looking forward to building some great experiences this summer? Let’s clean up your stuff and liberate your mind to experience something wonderful. It all begins where you start your day....no not looking at e-mail, not in the bathroom, in the closet where you are putting on that magic boost we call "Clothes Power". (Thank you Judith Rasband for coining the phrase.) But how do you know what to keep in this simple life mastery program? Keep what's right for you! If you’re going to keep the bare minimum, it needs to be spot on. Answer yes to these beginning level questions for a smart and simple wardrobe that’s perfect for you. 1. Do the clothes work for your shape? Check to see if the shape of your clothing repeats the shape or silhouette of your body for your quick fit strategy.  For counterbalancing techniques see blog post 4 Balancing Techniques to Create the Ideal Figure here. Note many people become a combination of body types during middle age when metabolism slows down and weight goes up. 2. Do the clothes repeat your personal body coloring? When you repeat your hair, eye, skin and blush color in your clothes you become part of the color scheme. Repeat blue eyes and peachy rose blush with a pattern that includes those colors (left). Repeat rusty red hair with cinnamon colors (right).
3. Are the fabric textures and weights complimenting you? Repeat a soft body with soft fabrics and textures for a softer effect to emphasize; dress a smaller body with light to medium weight fabric and textures (left below). Repeat a firm body with firm fabrics and textures for a firmer effect to emphasize; dress a larger body with medium to heavy weight fabrics and textures (right below).
Note generally avoid thick heavy weight fabrics on a small body and thin, light weight fabrics on a large body. 4. Are the patterns in scale with your physical size? Repeat a smaller face and body with smaller size/scale patterns to emphasize and harmonize. Repeat a larger face and body with larger patterns to emphasize and harmonize (left). Repeat a rounded face and features or curly hair with rounded patterns to emphasize. Repeat and angular face and features our straight hair with angular patterns to emphasize (right).
Note generally avoid round patterns on a rounded body, large patterns on a small body and tiny patterns on a large body The clothes you keep should have enough variety in styles to accommodate the multi-dimensional life you lead. Don’t limit yourself to only tailored clothing or strictly active-wear. You need clothes to take you to the many experiences you are about to enjoy, from a glamour filled evening to a day at the park and everything in between. Looking for an objective eye to teach you what works for your figure type, coloring and which textures and patterns are best for you? I'm just a click away!   Truly the most effective teeth whitener out there for only $13  Super soft PJs $25  Vacation planning session with a pro - minimal clothing maximum options $95  For the peachy fuzz on her face she's dying to get rid of but doesn't know how $7.50  Who doesn't want a plant that nearly impossible to kill? $15  Super soft heals are just a dab away $25  The best clothing shapes for her shape PLUS her brilliant colors ONLY $149 For the woman who is always giving and never taking time for herself, I've got some fabulous options that will show your love and help her feel gorgeous every day! Call me at 385.229.6297, e-mail Dani@StyleByDani.com or click below. Looking for a More Colorful Life? No Need to Cry Over It - 4 Ways to Look Vibrant Every Day4/18/2018
 What's the secret to a colorful, vibrant, youthful life? Could it be…hair? Rich colored, thick hair with a natural healthy shine? Why is so much of our identity tied to our hair? Or lack of it? Despite all of the mileage bald men get from hairless jokes and the many debonaire bald men out there, aka Jason Statham, many guys still feel like balding is a strike against them. And when women and men are confronted with the choice to color their hair or let it gray naturally, the choice is deeply personal. For my client Grace, the option of go gray or color her hair was never really a question for her. She would age “gracefully” and allow her hair to gray naturally. The concept seemed simple enough but the actual process was more difficult. It’s hard to watch ourselves age! And loosing hair or the color of hair seems to happen overnight. It also appears to be more obvious than any other change we make in the aging process. While most of the time we can turn those wrinkles into “wise cracks” there are moments when you look at yourself in the mirror and realize …. “I’m not 25 anymore”. Have you had a moment of vulnerability when you realize, “yes, I’m getting older”? For Grace, when the hair colors began to change, so did her perception of who she was. Despite the ideal of a natural aging process, she was struggling to accept the new woman nature was gently changing her into. The transition to different clothing styles for her evolving figure was fairly simple, but when we sat down to look at her personal coloring the insecurities came out. She felt like loosing her hair color was washing her out, and the person she knew herself to be was likewise fading away into oblivion. It was when we zeroed in on her beautiful olive green and rust eye color, natural pink coral blush and deep rose lip color, that we discovered all of the interesting colors she still had in her hair - honey brown, light taupe, and silver - that the transition really hit home. When she saw all of these color swatches laid out in front of her, and saw that they were anything but lifeless and boring, the tears started to well up in her eyes. The feeling of being washed out and left behind for the sake of natural aging was now replaced with a rich, vibrant outlook. The tears continued to flow until there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Everyone there felt the significance of this moment of genuine self-appreciation. Mission accomplished! Grace felt beautiful again and what a privilege it was to witness.  How the right colors can give you a rich, vibrant outlook on life. Level 1 - Because one of the easiest ways to look classy, age appropriate and sophisticated is to emphasize your hair, eye, skin and blush colors through repetition. Judith Rasband, image master advises “Repeat your most attractive personal coloring—your hair color, your eye color, your skin, and warm cheek color—in your clothing. In other words, take your personal coloring down into your clothing. You can expect these colors to look fabulous on you.” Level 2 - “Repeat your clothing color on or near your face—for women, use makeup, earrings, hair ornaments, headband, scarf, or hat. For men, use a tie, scarf, glasses or hat. In other words, take your clothing color up onto or near your face.” According to Rasband. Level 3 - Emphasize your personal coloring through complementary contrast. If you hair, eyes, and skin are some degree of brown, for example, look for the complementary color to emphasize the brown. Brown’s complementary color is blue, which is why blue is always in the stores and why so many people are rocking the blue suit! Level 4 - Add value or light/dark contrast. For the debonaire guy who happens to have no hair on his head, is fair skinned and isn’t inclined to wear black mascara (one of the level 2 options), wearing darker colored clothing will help counter the “washed out” syndrome. Wearing black is a common way to accomplish this, but deep, rich colors such as dark teal, burgundy, midnight blue, deep olive, charcoal, and gunmetal gray are less predictable ways to achieve the same pleasing result.  For your color session that includes a personalized color pallet and guarantees a more colorful outlook on life, contact me HERE.
 Is this you in the morning? "Ugh...what am I going to wear today? I don't even want to look in my closet, I'm so tired of my clothes!" OR is there blissful fairytale joy because you love everything? You can't wait to put on the clothes that are going to make you feel energized, productive, and focused on a successful day. This is how it should be! It's Spring. The birds are chirping, flowers are emerging and the earth is coming to life. Your wardrobe should make you feel alive as well. Here's how to put a spring in your step by walking into a closet full of clothing you can actually wear and feel uplifted by! Weed through those winter weight clothes and determine what you should keep and what should go. In the end, you will no longer be distracted by wardrobe orphans or clothes that drag you down and have no intention of wearing. Here's what goes:
Still not sure what to keep? What to add? Let's connect. I'll teach you what works for your coloring, figure, personal style and what to wear where. We'll organize what you have and make a list of new items to add depth and blissful fairytale joy to the wardrobe that keeps you feeling like the success you are every single day. Learn more about the wardrobe evaluation HERE or get on the schedule HERE.
 Just because winter has finally appeared, doesn't mean spring isn't right around the corner. You've heard "if you build it they will come" (from the movie Field of Dreams). How about "if you buy a dress, spring will come"? (Dani Slaugh) I'm pretty sure this one is going to catch on. Because nothing feels like spring more than ... well sunny afternoons, bright green grass and the smell of blossoms. Which I'm sure is coming. In the meantime, the part of spring we do have a say in would include a charming dress that makes you feel as fresh and new as the grass that is soon to emerge from the foot of snow it's buried under. Also, have you noticed that when you actually need a dress and go to find one, it's nearly impossible? And yet when it's not on the top of your list, they seem to be everywhere? I've put together my top spring dresses you'll want to pick up sooner rather than later. It is categorized in price ranges and includes plus sizes to make your selection process quicker. Just click on the image in my catalog and it will take you directly to the site for quick ordering.
There's still the matter of is this the right shape, color or pattern for me? I'm happy to help with that one as well. Contact me HERE or click the button below to make this spring dress the best investment in yourself of the year, the investment that is so you you'll wear it year after year. This is good cause ladies! If enough of us wear spring, it will surely come.
Did you notice that a number of women sported wide leg pants at the grammy’s last night? And why wouldn’t they? With the grace of a skirt paired with the relaxed feel of pants, these wide leg pants or palazzos, top my list of unpredictably dressy looks. They’re beautiful on most figure types, especially triangular shapes with a lower hip curve. The fabric flows nicely over the curve and fills out the lower leg, giving the illusion of a slimmer hip area in comparison. For inverted triangular figure types, those with wider shoulders and larger bust, the flared leg balances the upper body to create the illusion of a balanced, more ideal figure. Who doesn't want that? This is a trend I would highly recommend buying into with a few considerations. First, the pants should hit the top of your foot on the front, or an inch from the floor when wearing heels. Too long and there's a serious tripping risk that no matter how graceful you are, never works out well in the end. Second, if they are the cropped variety, you'll want to wear a heel (below). Unless, you have very thin, long legs, a cropped wide leg pant can cause your legs to appear shorter. Counter this affect with a 2-3 heel, or higher if you're into that.  Maren Morris (In Target's video) Here are a few lovely options to get your wide leg look….         Looking for the shape that's right for your shape? Not sure what your shape is or how to make it appear ideal? Let's talk Fabulous Fit! E-mail Dani@StyleByDani.com or call 385.229.6297 to nail your ideal figure.
 With online sales at an all time high and Amazon postured to take over the world, surely you have tried your luck at buying clothes online. How has your experience been? Love it? Hate it? Still trying to figure out how to make the system work for you? As a professional shopper (and image consultant), one of the most common questions I get is how to navigate the online shopping maze. And maze it can be! Buying toilet paper is one thing, yes people do buy toilet paper online and as long as you stick to two-ply you're set. However, shopping for clothes that are good quality, the right color and actually fit is a challenge I'm sure you are well acquainted with by now. To make sure you're buying what you really want, try out the checklist I use when shopping for my clients:
Yes, sizing and fit is tricky. The online measurements or "fit guide" don't always work because a- measuring yourself doesn't work, b- if someone else measures you they usually don't make sure the tape is parallel to the floor or in measuring you at the widest part of your hip, and c- different styles fit differently within the same size and at the same store....so go back to tip #1 and read the description carefully.  OR hire a pro to do your online shopping for you. Not only will you have an expert eye to choose the color, fit and style that is harmonious with you, but you'll also get styling suggestions with how to wear your new finds with your existing wardrobe. For more information on this time saving, style illuminating service, CLICK BELOW. Contact your new shopping pro and certified image consultant at Dani@StyleByDani.com or call 385.229.6297.
 My goal for 2018 is to play bar chords on the guitar without that chunky thud that comes when one of strings hasn't been pushed down enough. Occasionally, I get the chord right and the sound is smooth and beautiful. Often the difference between a rough, flow stopping sound and smooth melodic sound is picturing what my fingers should look like playing perfectly...before they even get in position. According to my guitar zhar instructor, you have to envision every detail of performing the act beautifully and then half the work's done. Your fingers know where to go, the action becomes efficient, and beautiful music follows. What's your goal for 2018? Can you picture what you look like performing it well? What's the environment? How are you feeling? What are you wearing? How do others respond to you? The more detailed your vision for a successful 2018, the greater your chances for achieving it. This truth resonates with guitar, it works in sports, and especially with your image. You've heard the expression, "fake it til you make it". Social psychologist, Amy Cuddy suggests you "fake it til you become it". But if you can envision your goals, put yourself in your own story and the clothes that will get there, there's no faking it. There's only making it. If you can envision it, and truly believe, dress the part and you'll achieve. Let's get you achieving and making the best music of your life in 2018. Don't believe your image affects how you think, feel, act and your ability to make music in 2018? Here's a few studies that prove otherwise.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022103112000200 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/03/science/clothes-and-self-perception.html http://www.iojt-dc2013.org/~/media/Microsites/Files/IOJT/11042013-Albert-Mehrabian-Communication-Studies.ashx |
Dani SlaughImage consultant and personal stylist. Dani is happily married, the mother of 3 charming children, and an Aussie named Josie Wales. Archives
March 2019
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