Looking within

I was working in a couple of different closets last week.  One was quite full, the other had just the bare bones, if that.  Both people longed for “something more” in their wardrobe.  Two women with completely different styles both wanting a look that they felt comfortable in.

One would think that the “full closet” would be  the one with the most choices.  Think again.  Often times there is so much in your closet that you really have to look within and figure out why you have been:  A.  spending with so much abandon or B.  what it is you were looking for when you bought all of that stuff.

It brought me to a thought, which was, “Just because you have a full closet doesn’t mean you have a great wardrobe.”  In fact, it CAN mean you have a useless wardrobe.  Useless in the sense that having a packed closet full of stuff that makes no sense is almost worse than having hardly any clothes.  The guilt that comes with having a full closet of stuff you don’t love is a total drag.

There is something you can do about that though, and that is to start today, from this point forward, only buying clothes you love.  And I mean LOVE.   Clothes that speak to you about who you are and how you want to present yourself.

It takes time and effort and it’s not always easy.  But in the end, I think you’ll find it’s worth it.

My week

Well, I had a busy weekend (yoga retreat)  and a busy week.

I’ve been in several closets this week and I am here to report that people are really ready for a change.

A new look, less black (or blue or brown) and some fun.  Let’s face it, with this weather… three storms in one week, it’s hard to think about dressing in color (at least it is for me).

If you do one thing this weekend, try to find some color in your wardrobe.  It doesn’t have to be a transformation, it could just be a scarf or some special jewelry.  Believe me, every little bit helps and some color (and change) could do you some good.

Don’t Panic, Get a Second Go-To Outfit

So, some of you know that I plan my outfits for the week on Sunday night.  I recommend everyone do it.  I mostly do it in my head at this point.  Anyway, I wore my favorite “go to” outfit yesterday and spilled something on it.  It’s a dry clean item so when I turned my calendar page to tomorrow, I realized that I need a second “go-to” outfit and I need it now.   Tomorrow is a day when I really need my   “go to”  look.  I”m going to a business meeting in the morning where I will be doing a lot of networking.  I AM my business so I try to follow my own rules and one of them is have a “go to” outfit.  After today I know I need two.  I spent some time in my closet this afternoon (15 minutes) and figured out a second look.  It’s a little different but it’s also “me” which is my goal (and should be yours) every time you get dressed.

Great massage therapist

I was getting my hair colored the other day and the salon was offering a chair massage; $10 for 10 minutes, $20 for 20 minutes, you get the idea.  I decided to do 15 minutes because my neck has been hurting me and I was sitting there anyway, so why not?   Seemed like a good deal and a relaxing treat.

I’ve had lots of massages and  this licensed massage therapist Terry Hunt, was better than any massage I’ve had in long time.  I was relaxed but at the same time had some kinks worked out in my neck that had been bothering me for quite awhile.  I’ll be giving him a call the next time I need a full massage.

Endless shoes…

If you haven’t checked out Endless shoes.com you should.  Great prices.  Fun looks.  Rivals Zappos anyday!

The Glitter Gala Was Amazing

1943 Vintage Costume Jewelry/NYC

Thursday night was the Seattle Goodwill Glitter Gala and I have to say it was a blast!   This is the second year in what I hope will be many years of  a fun, entertaining and worthwhile cause.  There was a silent auction in advance with about 15 fun pieces “discovered” at various Goodwills in and around Seattle.  I purchased an amazing circa 1943 necklace that I loved so much I wore it on the spot!  What a great place to pick up a fun piece of “time” and also help a great cause.    There was also a raffle auction.  The highlight of the evening for me was a trip down memory lane with the theme of the night of “The Sound of Music”.  Each wardrobe change coming down the runway had a backdrop of a movie and the movie theme set the stage for what kind of look each model wore.  Picture the perfect clothes from “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” or “Austin Powers” and you have an idea of the kind of evening it was.  I can’t wait to go again next year!

Prepping for an Event

Glitter Gala

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times.  When planning for a special event, get prepared in advance.  Not the night of the event when you can no longer wear the dress you thought was perfect.  But more on that another time.  This time I want to talk about grooming.   Since I’m attending The Seattle Goodwill Glitter Gala Thursday evening I made a quick trip to see Jill Helman at Sweet Skin Spa to get my spray on tan as part of my special events “grooming.”

Now, I know that some of you don’t understand this (my daughter is one of you people) but I enjoy having a “tan” even though it is a fake one.  The thing is, I can have some color in this late fall time period without damaging my skin and that’s important to me.  I like Jill’s spa, it’s small, unpretentious and she is always friendly and helpful as is her staff.  Jill has packages for tans as well as massage and facials. She also has some great cosmetic lines  to keep your skin fresh and healthy.

The next time you have a special event, consider visiting Jill in advance.  Make the appointment in plenty of time to feel like you’ve treated yourself a bit.  We don’t spend enough time on ourselves but getting some pampering before a special event is one of those times  I think you’ll be happy you did.

Finding the Real You (and Me)

Today I woke up kind of grouchy.  I don’t like it when daylight savings time ends and I feel a little ripped off that fall is here and winter is rapidly approaching.  I sat in front of my bright lamp, had a cup of tea and thought about my day. I was feeling a little off over the weekend so I skipped bootcamp and was prepared to be at home all day, working.  I love my office but sometimes I feel a little trapped at home. I’m so used to being out and about with my business that the home time often is cut short.

Today I looked at my list and started in on one of the projects which is cutting from magazines and reading about new trends, searching websites, etc.  I started out slow, I wasn’t into it.  About an hour down the road, I started getting excited about (of all things) my own closet.  Looking at magazines and websites wasn’t making me think of shopping or of buying stuff. It made me think of what I already have and how I could make it work to look current.

There’s a lot that’s wrong with fashion magazines (skinny models, expensive clothes) but look a little deeper and you’ll find a little of yourself in the looks.  It could be just a color or a cut at first.  But it’s something.  And that something is the beginning of finding your own style.

I do this kind of thing every month.  You could learn a lot about your own style by doing this every season.  You can even watch tv while doing this project.  Pick something mindless and fun.  I can almost guarantee that you’ll start seeing yourself and your look the next time you walk into your closet.

Welcome to my new blog!

I’m excited to be linking my website to my new blog.  It feels like a good fit and the right time.  And as we all know, timing is everything.  The phrase works for almost any occasion.

I was shopping with a client last week. She’s a stylish 50 something woman and she has enjoyed her new look since we started working together over a year ago.  She has changed her look so much that she looks years younger.  Years.  We were at the end of our shopping trip together and started looking at accessories.  We were looking at “junk jewelry”, you know, the inexpensive jewelry that you can purchase that makes your look more current without breaking the bank.  Anyway, she said right from the start, ” I don’t want anything practical, I want new, fun, interesting.  I”ve been practical my whole life and now I’m ready to be more “me”.   I loved that she knew this, said it,  and was ready to act on it.  Again, it’s that timing thing.  When the time is right, you know it.

Welcome to my new blog.  I”m looking forward to more of the right time together!