February's Small Town Style Star Is Here

THE SMALL TOWN STYLE STAR FEATURES A STYLISH, SUCCESSFUL WOMAN FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK. SHE SHARES HER FAVORITE STYLE & BEAUTY TIPS & TRICKS WITH YOU. YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING A NEW STYLE STAR EACH MONTH FOR INSPIRATION, ADVICE AND INSIGHT INTO HER PERSONAL STYLE. A few years ago a friend talked me into trying a new workout with her at our local mall. This is where I met Mona Smart. My first impression was, “Damn, this woman looks amazing even in her workout gear.” She’s just got that something special that makes you take a second look. Whether we run into each other dropping the kids at school, cheering on our little athletes at football, or attending a mutual friend’s party, she always looks pulled together and effortlessly chic. Which is incredible because besides being the CEO of her family, she also runs a successful Rodan + Fields business from her home, and works to make a difference in our community by supporting organizations such as the Children’s Hearing Aid Program through Aurora of CNY. How does she do it? It helps that she’s as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside, and that alone is enough to make her the February Small Town Style Star. But read on as Mona shares her beauty and style secrets.

Describe your style in three words. Contemporary and Comfortable. That’s only 2 and sound like a contradiction but I can’t wear anything I’m not 100% comfortable in.  I used to buy things because I liked it instead of how it felt on and would regret it after the first time I wore it.  Fidget all day long!   From Gowns to workout clothes that rule always applies to my clothing.

What is your “Go To” outfit? For Summer its typically a cotton dress, maxi or knee length..can be fitted or loose.  Fall/Winter definitely jeans and a blouse or fun sweater with boots.  Spring I love how ballet flats look with cropped jeans or pants.  I always lean towards clean lines no matter the season.  I would rather wear a crazy print than ruffles any day!

Who are your style icons? Jessica Alba and Gwen Stefani.  Love Jessica’s classic with a flare style and Gwen’s envelope pushing outfits.

Where are your favorite stores to shop? Jet Black, Anthropologie and Nordstrom.

What do you admire most in other women? Confidence and Kindness. You can wear a trash bag and if you have those two you will look good in my eyes!

What are your top 3 wardrobe staples? A great warm winter coat-we live in Syracuse, this is a must! My favorites are Mackage and Dawn Levy.  Jeans that every time you put them on you love them (skinny and boot).  Jeans were always a tough shopping trip for me but I have found that Citizen of Humanity, J brand and J.Crew work best for my body type.  Blouses in all colors and prints!

What’s your #1 style tip? Know what looks good on your body, I don’t care what size you are everyone has areas we like to highlight or well not highlight.  This took me a while to figure out but start with picking out your favorite items in your closet and figure out WHY they are your favorite and/or ask a trusted friend or sibling to help.  DO NOT ask your spouse or partner!

Thank you to my February Small Town Style Star, Mona Smart. If you are interested in learning more about Rodan + Fields skin care, be sure to check out Mona’s website at https://monas.mryandf.biz.

Know a stylish and inspiring woman in CNY you think should be the next Small Town Style Star? Send me an email at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com and tell me all about her.

December means a new Small Town Style Star!

THE SMALL TOWN STYLE STAR FEATURES A STYLISH, SUCCESSFUL WOMAN FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK. SHE SHARES HER FAVORITE STYLE & BEAUTY TIPS & TRICKS WITH YOU. YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING A NEW STYLE STAR EACH MONTH FOR INSPIRATION, ADVICE AND INSIGHT INTO HER PERSONAL STYLE. December’s Small Town Style Star is Shauna Diliberto. The girl clearly has style all her own. She has an enviable talent for mixing vintage and new pieces in a modern and chic way. As the owner of Maeflowers Vintage, she is the other half of Vintage Love, a boutique on the corner of Jefferson and Warren Streets in downtown Syracuse. The shop is beautifully curated and a reflection of Shauna’s unique taste. After studying fashion merchandising in New York, Shauna landed her “dream job” as an associate merchandiser for the Martha Stewart Collection for Macy’s. Shauna moved back to the Syracuse area with her husband and started her business, bringing many of the pieces she found during her time in NYC. And she’s been growing her business ever since. Stop in to Vintage Love today and Shauna will put together a cool vintage look personalized for you. Tell her The Small Town Stylist sent you.

Describe your style in three words. Bohemian, modern, effortless

What is your “Go To” outfit? This all depends on the season, Spring: chambray button dow and classic hat. Summer: white lace dresses and vintage floral mumus, Fall: Bangs, boots, and a great new layering piece. This year I was all about the bomber jacket. Winter: Vintage furs and anything that I can wear with black tights or leather leggings.

Who are your style icons? Because I'm a vintage girl at heart, i've always been in love with 70's era Cher and Jane Birkin, both exude effortless style but done very glamorously. There is something timeless about them, yet perfect time capsules of the times. Modern day icons include: The Olsen Twins, Rachel Zoe, and Margherita Missoni. Bohemian, edgy, trendy, and yet effortlessly chic.

Where are your favorite stores to shop? Old Navy + H&M are my favorite mall stores to shop at. Zara, Anthropologie, and ASOS are my favorite online shops, and I spend a lot of time thrifting and traveling to vintage stores.

What do you admire most in other women? I admire woman that take pride in their appearance, and treat getting dressed as a celebration and love for their bodies and selves. Loving our bodies as they are sometime seems like a radical idea but it is possible. Doing this means stop hiding yourself in the old oversized sweats and start wearing clothes that fit and compliment your body.

What are your top 3 wardrobe staples? Hardest question ever! Right now my 3 staples are: My Madewell leather bucket bag, my vintage fur sweater coat, and high waisted skinny Levis.

What’s your #1 style tip? Please get a seamstress / tailor. This will change your life, I promise. Not all clothing bought off the rack is going to fit you perfectly, most people are not perfectly proportionate to mass market sizing. This comes handy if you are between sizes, don't settle for a wrong fitting item. Size up and have the piece tailored to fit you. Also, get a second life out of an old item that you may be over. I have taken many of my maxi dresses and had them turned into midi's or chopped in half to create and skirt and matching shirt outfit!

Thank you to the December Small Town Style Star, Shauna Diliberto. You can visit Shauna at her shop Vintage Love, located at 201 E Jefferson Street in Syracuse. You can also follow her on social media on Instagram at @maeflowersvintage  and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/maeflowersvintage/.

Know a stylish and inspiring woman in CNY you think should be the next Small Town Style Star? Send me an email at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com and tell me all about her.

Our November Small Town Style Star

THE SMALL TOWN STYLE STAR IS A MONTHLY FEATURE SHOWCASING A STYLISH, SUCCESSFUL WOMAN FROM CENTRAL NEW YORK. SHE SHARES HER FAVORITE STYLE & BEAUTY TIPS & TRICKS WITH YOU. YOU CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING A NEW STYLE STAR EACH MONTH FOR INSPIRATION, ADVICE AND INSIGHT INTO HER PERSONAL STYLE. The first ever Small Town Style Star is my friend Sistina Giordano. She is the co-host of  Bridge Street, proud news lover & journalist, and Canadian born mom of two. Sistina is of course beautiful, stylish and charismatic, as well a loving mother.  But it’s also her sharp intellect, professionalism and ambition that makes her a role model to others and an inspiration to her friends and viewers. So how does she look so good when she’s working so hard? Sistina gives us an inside look at her style secrets.

Describe your style in three words. Classic, timeless, preppy.

What is your “Go To” outfit? My J.Crew Minnie pants and a comfortable button-up shirt and of course a jacket to compliment the season.

Who are your style icons? A woman who’s style I’ve always admired was Jackie O. She was timeless and you could wear any of her outfits today and people wouldn’t even miss a beat and I love that. I’m also a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn. She had such a lovely natural beauty and exuded such grace in her looks. Another favorite, The Duchess – Kate. I mean everything from her wedding dress to her formidable maternity fashion – she knows how to make anything look good. And I love that she wears outfits again and again.

Where are your favorite stores to shop? My all time favorite is J.CREW! As mentioned earlier, I love everything about the store, the feel, the look and the quality. I also love that I can shop dressy, casual, or work related all in one place. I also love Anthropologie. They have a creative style and edge that I don’t often find and they make some of the best outdoor jackets and coats I’ve ever owned. Lord & Taylor is also a favorite hot spot for me. They carry some of my favorite dresses including the Cynthia Steffe brand --- CeCe. Not only is it personal for me because that’s my nickname, but I just love the feminine look of her dresses. The high collars and frills make me feel like a lady and I love that.

What do you admire most in other women? I admire a woman’s confidence the most. My husband has always told me that it’s not the outfit that makes the woman but the woman who makes the outfit, and I as I grow older I wholeheartedly believe that. Confidence in a woman is such an attractive quality. A woman with drive and determination is also something I admire and respect so much. But most importantly I love a woman that prides herself in who SHE is.

What are your top 3 wardrobe staples? Any coat or jacket – I have more than I should and it’s probably because I’m from Canada and we have a need for so many. I don’t think a season goes by without a new coat …lol! A simple black dress – one that I can take from work to dinner to a night out on the town – I just think the little black dress never gets old. A pop of color – be it a favorite sweater or dress or maybe even a scarf. Something that gives you that edge.

What’s your #1 style tip? My number one style tip is to wear what works for you. I can’t tell you how many times someone has said they love a dress and ask where I get it, only to discover that I bought it at the gap for $20. Those are my favorite purchases – the one’s that are affordable and yet look good no matter what. If you can make someone love you in a discount deal then I think you’ve done your job in dressing the part of who YOU are. Another tip, and I believe this wholeheartedly is to always dress to impress. I sometimes find myself over dressed and people give me a hard time over the many dresses I wear. (I don’t wear pants very often, especially on the air), but I like to feel good and if a dress and heels gives me that, then that’s what I wear. So I would say to anyone if you don’t feel good, then make yourself look good. It’s the best little quick fix to any problem big or small.

Thank you to the first ever Small Town Style Star, Sistina Giordano. You can watch Sistina weekdays at 10am on Bridge Street TV. You can also follow her on social media on Instagram at @sistinanc9  and on Facebook.

Know a stylish and inspiring woman in CNY you think should be the next Small Town Style Star? Send me an email at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com and tell me all about her.