CREATE AN INSPIRATION BOARD!

Welcome to the start of the Style I.R.L. Guide! We are going to accomplish so much together. January’s focus is creating your personal brand. In this week’s Facebook video, I told you the 3 main reasons why knowing your personal style will make your life better. WATCH HERE When I work with new clients, the first thing I do is give them a little homework. That includes creating an inspiration board. Usually I have them do this on Pinterest so they can share it with me. But when I do it for myself I really love to create an actual board, something I can hang up in my office or closet for daily inspiration. Choose what works best and whichever version you will use the most. The point is for you to learn what looks you love, what colors and styles you admire and put it all together in one place. You will save money and time, and build confidence, by doing a little prep work. Make it fun.

1. Clip pictures out of magazines, catalogs and flyers of outfits and color swatches that you like. Collect images from the internet and Instagram of people who have a style you admire. 2. Grab a big sheet of paper or cardboard, or use a cork board, and organize it all. Create a collage of your clippings. Organize it however you want- by color or style- whatever is visually appealing to you. 3. Then hang it where you can see it every day. Doing this helps you focus on what you like and the looks you want to incorporate into your personal style. 

Next week we will use our inspiration board to dive deeper into our personal style so try to get something put together this week. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it can actually be a lot of fun. 

I want to hear how it’s going! Have questions or want to share what you think of this challenge? Engage with me on Facebook. Check me out on Pinterest to see my inspiration boards. And be sure to sign up for my weekly newsletter to be a part of my style community- that’s where you will get all the information on the Style I.R.L. Guide including links to the latest challenge, videos and more.

Breaking all the fashion rules!

The summer is over. I’m sorry. It’s true. It’s Labor Day weekend, the official end of summer. Put away those strappy sandals, darken up your sun kissed locks and definitely stop wearing white pants. 

NOT! DON’T YOU DARE DO THAT. What you should put away are those silly rules! This is 2017 and the only rule in fashion is to be true to your own style. 

OK, maybe that’s not exactly true, but those old fashioned rules don’t really apply anymore. I’d consider them more like guidelines. If you want to play it safe, or it’s just notyour style, then by all means, stick to the “rules”. That’s cool too. But the older I get the more I become a fashion rule breaker, a FASHION REBEL if you will.

My clients hear me say it all the time: the trick is to pay attention to the details. And it’s the same for getting away with breaking these rules. After a long search this spring, I finally found the most awesome pair of distressed cropped white denim jeans and I am just not ready to part with them for the season. Here’s how I will mix them up for fall:

Layer a heavy cable knit cardigan over the top. (Detail: make it hits me below the hip.)

Pair them with cropped boots in suede. (Detail: about an inch of skin between the top of the bootie and the hem of the pants.)

Denim button down top and cute mens-style loafers. (Detail: pick a bright color shoe, like red!)

Tone on tone and mix up the textures! (Detail: white, off-white, peach and taupe- mix up different shades on top of each other for a monochrome look with some edge.)

Check out this article with 19 reasons why you really shouldn't wear white after Labor Day and see if you agree. Will I see you rocking out your white pants this fall? Yes, you CAN pull it off! Try it, girl. You got this. Want more tips on how to wear white? Subscribe to my newsletter here. Want me to show you how? Book a Wardrobe Evaluation service with me here. 

*Photos above from Liverpool Denim Instagram & The Small Town Stylist. 

How Your Closet Cleanse Service Will Benefit Veterans

Ever wonder what I do with the clothing and things I go home with after your Closet Cleanse service? I donate them, of course. Just because they aren’t working for you doesn’t mean they won’t bring joy to someone else. 

My favorite place to donate is to the women’s boutique at Syracuse VA Medical Center. Mary LaRussa is the veteran program manager/maternity care coordinator at the VA Hospital which provides services to the thousands of famale veterans in the 13-county service area. But she also created and curates the boutique at the VA which provides clothing to our female veterans who are in need. 

Mary’s Boots 2 Suits program was featured in Syracuse Women’s Magazine. Right now they are in need of gently used (or new!) accessories like handbags, jewelry, scarves, computer bags, etc. You can find out more about the program by contacting Mary at mary.larussa@va.gov. 

Book your Closet Cleanse appointment today and the clothing & accessories we designate as donations will go to the Boots 2 Suits program or The Rescue Mission (to benefit Vera House Inc.).

BOOK HERE