The Yin and Yang of Style

June 28, 2013

Keeping with the style tip theme of the last couple weeks, here is an essential rules when it comes to developing a personal style of your own.

Michael Kors' Rule #9

Combine covered arms with bare legs; classic trousers with plunging necklines; conservative dresses with an outrageous shoe.

What's great about this rule is that it is pretty versatile. It's taking classic pieces and adding some oomph to them -- and that is basically the essence of style.


Nine West Bezel sandal, Piperlime, $79.99; Polka-dot sweater and miniskirt, Mango, $24.99 for each; Top with waistband, Zara, $35.99; Asymmetric top, Zara, $39.99.

Week in Review: Breaking The Glass Ceiling

June 21, 2013

I’ve started watching “Mad Men” seasons in reverse. I finished Season 5 last week and am almost done with Season 4. It’s an odd way to watch a show, but it kind of works for me. It’s interesting to watch Don’s rises and falls – in love, work, and life – and the arc that Peggy, Joan, and Betty have taken over the seasons. In particular, Peggy has probably experienced the most dramatic shift of all the women on the show. For me, she symbolizes the emerging feminists of the 1960s, making her mark in a man’s world. She struggles. A lot. But, she also shows young women of today how far we’ve come and how much farther we must go.  My favorite episode that really shows Peggy’s first attempt to own her successes is in Season 4 -- it's called "The Suitcase." A lot happens in this episode, but one scene in particular stands out for me. It is when she finally expresses her anger towards Don for not giving her the recognition she felt she deserved on an ad campaign. Sure, it was a little immature and ungrateful on her part, and Don had every right to react the way he did, but it was a pivotal moment in the story that eventually lead to Peggy realizing her potential and power.


Alongside my episodic viewing of “Mad Men,” I am also reading Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In. This book got a lot of press a few months ago – many in the media were calling it a new feminist manifesto, while others were criticizing it as being one-dimensional and unrealistic for average women. Although I’m only a third of the way through it, I have to say, as someone who counts herself as an average women – at least when it comes to my financial position and job skills – I’ve found some good advice I can use in my career and in my life in general. Most of what Sheryl comments on – through personal stories and various studies – is standard fair when it comes to the old “breaking the glass ceiling” mentality. Take risks, don’t be afraid to speak your mind, and don’t let anyone (i.e. men) hold you back. But, there are some really valuable nuggets of wisdom that are, well, obvious, but important reminders nonetheless. Here are some of my favorite quotes so far:

“…in order to continue to grow and challenge myself, I have to believe in my own abilities.”
“Owning one’s success is key to achieving more success.”
“…when you want to change things, you can’t please everyone. If you do please everyone, you aren’t making enough progress.”

And well, there you have it. Peggy and Sheryl. They’ve started me thinking – thinking about how I can better position myself as a leader and as a strong woman. I’ve always consider myself both, but I do see where my gender sometimes gets in my way. So, for this week – a slight departure from my bargain ways, but a symbolic analysis of my and all women’s ability to be chic in strength and determination – I dedicate my little ol' blog to women. The fearless. The unsure. The strong. The weak. The leaders. The mentors. And the protégés. Thank you for being you!

P.S. Also check out Sheryl's Lean In website.

Keep It Simple

June 19, 2013

Another very simple style rule – number 2 on the Michael Kors’ style  list – is to, well, keep it simple. That is, pick items that are effortless in structure, shape, and color. If you build your style around well-made items – either a more expensively made item or a tailored one – that are classically built and in a neutral color, you can create a foundation for any other look. It’s like a house or a painting or a cocktail – the foundation, the background, and the liquor needs to be constructed well, accentuate the positives, and be top-shelf enough to make a statement. Once you have them all in place, you can add almost anything else to it.

And, so, here we are at Rule #2:

"Buy tailored jackets, coats, dresses, and pants in neutral colors."


There are plenty of budget-friendly stores out there that offer an array of these types of clothes – Ann Taylor, LOFT, Banana Republic, J.Crew, The Limited, just to name a few. And, most department stores carry all sorts of pants, dresses, and jackets to fit almost any size.

The key, however, to getting a tailored fit is to actually get these items tailored. I know it is an added expense, but let me tell you, it is a wonderful feeling when you have something fit your body perfectly. It makes buying an okay-fitting sale item even more special when it is alter just enough so that you feel like you spent triple what you paid. And finding a descent tailor is not that hard or expensive either. The last time I had something altered – two skirts – I believe I paid around $15 for each piece.

In the meantime – while you find a good tailor – here are some almost-tailored-like items that fit Michael Kors’ #2 rule.



 1035 Jacket & Trouser, J.Crew, $240 & $140; Ellen Tracy Cap Sleeve Sheath Dress, Nordstrom, $110; Double-Breasted Raincoat, Zara, $99.90; Kate Spade "Brent" Linen Sheath, Nordstrom, $398 (not very budget-friendly, but probably well-worth it!)

A Guide to Style on a Budget

June 17, 2013

I recently came across a wonderfully succinct and essential list of style advice from fashion designer Michael Kors. Since a lot of women struggle with figuring out how to dress themselves in a way that enhances their figures and their individuality, I thought it would be a great idea to relay Mr. Kors' nuggets of wisdom -- but with a twist of budget-friendly finds. 

Most of the tips on the list are common sense, body conscience advice that transcend the cost factor, and, thus, can be followed whether you have a Prada budget or an H&M budget. And even those that are more specific can be adapted so frugal-types like myself are able to still look chic and stylish for less.

To start off the series, here is Michael Kors number one style tip:

"Don't put a round peg in a square hole. Buy clothes based on your silhouette: 1950s - hourglass; 1960s - gamine; 1970s - small-chested."


1950s: Cue the Compliments Dress, ModCloth, $64.99 (It's currently out of stock, but you can receive an email reminder when they get more.) 1960s: Twin Palms, Shabby Apple, $62. 1970s: Sikuli Diamond Dress, Anthropologie, $168.

Inspiration Doesn't Cost a Dime

June 9, 2013

This past week has been one of those weeks were a little fun and inspiration was needed to remind me exactly what's important in life. And as I perused the interwebs looking for that bit of mid-week magic, I came across some wonderful reminders about being true to yourself, living life to the fullest, and to learn from one's past.

Here's my weekly dose of inspiration:

Sara Bareilles' new single "Brave." Listen to it first. Hear the words. Let them sink in. Then, listen a second time. And dance like no one's watching.



Sophia Grace of the Sophia Grace/Rosie/The Ellen Show fame has such an adorable video out called "Girls Just Gotta Have Fun." If you have a little girl -- or heck, just your own bad 30-year-old-selve -- make it your 2013 summer song!



Saw the trailer to what looks like an outstanding, star-studded movie called The Butler. It looks like its going to be a fabulous movie. And, very inspiring!

Embrace Your Style

June 8, 2013


Style is an essence. It’s a feeling. It’s a catch-your-eye-can't-look-away look. To have a style is to have a presence.  A presence that is remarkable. Strange. Decidedly normal. Consistent. Style is a person’s wearable calling-card – their visual nomenclature. 

You can have cyclical style. Wear navy blue on Monday and Wednesday; black every other day – except on the weekends. Or, there is also uniform style: Khakis and polo shirts. Every day. How about brand style? Only The Gap jeans. Only Hanes t-shirts. Only black Converse.    

Audrey Hepburn
in Breakfast at Tiffany's
My favorite style, though, is YOU style.  Clothes that make YOU feel good about yourself. Clothes that define YOU, enhance YOU, compliment YOU. That is the kind of style that is perpetual and memorable. It’s the style of Coco Chanel, Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy, Madonna. These women found a look, a designer, a silhouette that enhanced themselves. Their fashion choices didn’t dictate who they were – their clothing was merely a means of expressing who they already were. 

That is what style is all about. Finding what makes you happy, what makes you sparkle, and what exudes the essence that makes you YOU. 

So, when you are deciding what to wear tomorrow, think about who you are and what your clothes say about you. Maybe you like your khaki pants and converse shoes – they define exactly who you are. Or, maybe you’ll think…hmmm…that bright orange top hidden in the back of my closet needs a fresh start with a new pair of Wednesday-only black pants. 

For some inspiration at some great prices, here are some calling-card style staples that can help anyone start chiseling away at their own masterpiece style.


1. Tricolor Dress, Zara, $89.90. 2. A Whole Neutral Outlook Dress, ModCloth, $77.99. 3. Camille Dress, J.Crew, $99.99. 4. Striped Unstructured Blazer, Gap, $69.95. 5. Good as Goldfinch, ModCloth, $58.99. 6. Floral Lace Henley, The Limited, $39.90. 7. Convertible Cruise Top, ModCloth, $32.99. 8. Rivington Trousers, Madewell, $54.50. 9. Palette Trousers, Madewell, $79.99. 10. Ivory Dragonfly, BaubleBar, $36. 11. Ocean Bauble Bib Necklace, Anthropologie, $68. 12. Nomad by Mia, Piperlime, $39.99.

Let's Get Organized!

June 2, 2013


Today was a record day in Phoenix – the first day this year that temperatures have soared well above 100. 108 to be exact. It happens every year at the beginning of June, and when it occurs, it becomes a serious reminder for those new and old to this desert land that you must do everything you can to stay out of this heat. That means, either submerging yourself in the cool waters of a pool, enjoying a two-hour respite in a movie theater, shopping in an air conditioned mall, or staying home with all your blinds shut, fans on full blast, and A/C as comfortably low as your wallet will allow. 

Today, I chose to do the latter. I stayed home and performed tasks that would make Martha Stewart proud. I organized my filing cabinet, shredded documents, cleaned out my medicine cabinet, and read through old cards and letters. Cleaning, organizing, and purging old stuff is always cathartic for me. I actually enjoy going through things, deciding what’s important and what’s not, and chucking things as a way to say “goodbye” to the past and “hello” to the future. 

In my quest to organize a simple filing cabinet, I decided that it was also about time to tackle other organizing quests. I’ve already made an effort to compartmentalize my linen closet. And then there’s my spare room closet, which will eventually become a small craft/writing nook that could potentially house an old (yet functional) typewriter I received from my parents for graduation. There might eventually be efforts to better organize my bedroom closet (which I’ve already done a good job at organizing – especially the shoes) as well as my kitchen cabinets. 

In the meantime, though, I’ll just start organizing what I’d like to organize with the help of some great stores like The Container Store, IKEA, and Target, and products that will feed my need for organization.

 Clockwise: Goldenrod Linen Basket, $29.99-$39.99, The Container Store; Kassett Box, $6.00 /2pk, IKEA; Square Smart Store Tote, $5.99-$8.99, The Container Store; 3-Drawer Desktop Organizer, $12.99, The Container Store; Silver Mesh DVD Bin, $12.99, The Container Store; White Mesh Magazine File, $6.99, The Container Store; Drawer Organizer, $3.99-$7.99, The Container Store

 Clockwise: Double Decker Turntable, $27, Organize.com; Store & Pour Dry Found Dispenser, $8.99-$9.99, The Container Store; Stoneware Canister, $14.99, Target; Kngaren Bottle, $14.99/set of 3, IKEA; Limmaren Bottle, $9.99/set of 3, IKEA; Lilholmen Glass Shelf, $19.99, IKEA; Hair Dryer Organizer, $27.49, Organizer.com; Spice Rack Set, $24, Organizer.com
 

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