Gallery Opening leads to NYC Nostalgia

I began my career in fashion in NYC. While working in magazine publishing and advertising straight out of college, I actively pursued a job- any job- in the world of fashion, sending letters and emails to anyone in the field. I was thrilled to receive a call from Jennifer Elster, a conceptual stylist with a studio in Battery Park. Jen was working with amazing clients like David Bowie and she hired me to assist her. We worked on photo shoots & music videos, shopped the coolest boutiques, and borrowed amazing pieces from top designers. We dressed a Grammy nominated musician for her tour, a Saturday Night Live appearance and even the actually Grammy Awards Show. It was hard work and I often crashed on an air mattress in her studio.

I learned so much from Jen in my short time working for her. Of course I learned about being a stylist for our clients like Bloomingdales and Bacardi. She is a savvy businesswoman and a creative thinker- two things that often are mutually exclusive. Most of all she is a caring woman who supported me when I made mistakes and encouraged me to be honest and thoughtful in all my duties. Many times in the years since we worked together I’ve applied those lessons to my life and found success.

So I was so excited to receive her invitation to come down for the private opening night of her exhibition, “The Retrospective of an Extroverted Recluse.” Of course I’ll take any excuse to visit NYC, but this one felt extra nostalgic and special.

I love: The view as I drive across the George Washington Bridge which I have done hundreds of times. The sounds of horns honking and the bustle of the people on the streets. Eating at an outdoor cafe and people watching which usually includes at least one celebrity sighting. Riding the subway and thinking back upon my many trips underground getting off at the World Trade Center to walk over to Battery Park. Shopping. Eating. Walking. The amazing energy which is different, but the same, with every visit I make.

Jen’s pop up gallery was in Tribeca, so we could see the new Trade Center as we came out onto the street. Despite being a half hour late, we were some of the first to arrive, but the large room with exposed brick walls and high ceilings quickly filled with guests like ourselves, eager to see what was in store. After working with Jen, I knew this wasn’t going to be your typical boring gallery opening. I knew it would be something special. And I was not disappointed.

To read more about the exhibition, click here for an article from observer.com. To learn more about Jennifer Elster visit jelster.nyc. What is your favorite thing to do in NYC? Comment below or post a message on my Facebook page.

Trendy Tootsies

Marilyn Monroe said, “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.” I don’t know about you but when the weather warms up here in Central New York I cannot wait to trade in my boots for super fun summertime shoe styles. Today on Bridge Street I talked with co-hosts Sistina Giordano and Tenesha Murphy about the top shoe trends for 2016 that you need to add to your closet. Click here to watch the segment.  All the styles featured are available at Paul Karaz Shoes in Fayetteville.

Platforms

Let’s start with my favorite. Everyone knows I love 90s style so I wish I had kept all my shoes from that era which are probably now considered to be vintage. Flatforms are just platforms without a heel, which give you the height of a heel with the comfort of a flat.

Gladiator sandals

These have been seen for a few seasons now but they are still hot. Maybe update them with a modern rope tie. The ones I featured today are from Ancient Greek Sandals and are actually made in Greece. And the ones with the rope ties shown today actually have a zipper so you don't have to fuss with the laces every time you put them on.

White shoes

Now you can wear white any time of the year but in CNY summertime really seems like the only good time to wear them so enjoy this trend while you can.

Oxford Flats

I think these are super cute with cropped pants or skirts. I like mixing the masculine feel of these with a feminine skirt or flowery dress. On today’s show I featured loafers by Pomme D’or which actually incorporate two trends: loafers and pointy toes.

Fashion sneakers

Another trend that’s been hanging in for several seasons and isn’t going anywhere is athletic shoes. Choose your style purely on looks and not on functionality.

Loafer slides/slippers/mules

Slip on shoes are very in (and again, very 90s-I owned a few pairs) and easy to wear, especially for mom’s with young children who want to look trendy but don’t have time to deal with straps and buckles.

Thanks you my friends at Paul Karaz shoes in Fayetteville for all these great styles. Did you know the flatforms featured on today's segment (and that I'm wearing in the picture above) were featured in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine along with Paul Karaz Shoes? They have many styles on sale right now and lots of different versions of these trends. Let them know The Small Town Stylist sent you. (You might even see me in there picking up a pair or two!)

And let me know what trends you are trying out this summer by commenting below or position on my Facebook page. Missed today's episode? Watch it online here.

Spring Cleaning (a bit late)

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I like to plan and organize my wardrobe to make the most of what I’ve got and determine what I’m going to need. This year I’m getting to my Spring Cleaning a bit late- but better late than never! The easiest way is to do it in steps so you don’t get bogged down. Here’s my checklist of what I do and I hope it inspires you to get your wardrobe organized. Or you can always contact me and I’ll come do it for you!  

First I create an inspiration board. It’s made up of photos, magazine articles, key words, color swatches- anything that I’ve collected that is going to inspire my new season’s style. Think of it like a visual reminder of your taste and style.

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Then I like to make a Style List- literally a list of what my style is going to be. I’ve been doing this for years and it’s a great reference for shopping. It’s also very fun to look back and see who your style has evolved (or not).

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Once I know what my “looks” are going to be for the season, I can assess what I’ve got in my closet. I toss anything that is worn beyond repair. Anything out of season that’s in good shape, I pack it away. I jot down the items that are missing from my closet from my “Style List”. That’s my shopping list.

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Next step- shopping!! The nice thing about doing this assessment every season is that now my closet is full of staples and wearable items and shopping is a way to add a few new on-trend items every few months. When I shop, I always keep in mind my “Style List” and I check the store’s return policy. Rarely do I find a pair of pants that are the correct length so it’s great that I can hem my own, but for more extensive tailoring like a jacket or dress I have a great tailor. That extra nip/tuck makes all the difference.

Maintenance is the key. I run through this at least twice a year.

Give it a try and let me know how your spring wardrobe planning goes. Comment below or post on my Facebook page to let me know how it’s going. And if you get stuck you can always schedule an appointment with me so I can walk you through the process in person. Book online or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com today.

Summer Swim Trends

Summer is here! And with that comes finding great swimwear for the pool or beach. Today on Bridge Street I got to meet the new co-host, Tenesha Murphy, for the first time and together with Sistina, we broke down this season’s swimwear trends for you. If you missed the segment, click here. I’ve heard that the two hardest things for women to shop for are jeans & swimsuits. Luckily there are a lot of great trends for summer that are both stylish and flattering. All the great looks featured on today’s show are from Lord & Taylor at Destiny USA.

HIGH RISE- If you like a two piece look but want to have more coverage then this look is for you. Bikinis are now coming with a high rise bottom which adds some coverage to your mid-section. Just be careful not to add too much material because it can sometimes make you look bigger on bottom than you want.

BAYWATCH ONE PIECE- Thankfully one piece bathing suits have been back in style for the past several years. The key is finding one that is sexy and not frumpy. I love that the leg holes have been getting higher- think Baywatch red suit or Cindy Crawford circa the 1990s. Also one pieces that have strategic cutouts or sheer cutouts add interest to a one piece suit.

SPORTY SUITS- Athleisurewear is here to stay. I love the color block bikini we featured today and the one piece with the rash guard top, both from Lord & Taylor. A rash guard adds coverage plus sun protection.

OFF THE SHOULDER- Take a cue from the latest fashion trend of off the shoulder tops and apply this to your bathing suit. I love that it gives that bohemian vibe that’s big in fashion right now.

COVER UPS are key, especially if you have to chase kids around at the pool, so I like to stay with the fashion trends like adding a wrap in a boho print with fringe. Pull on a pair of denim cutoff shorts over a one piece suit and you’ve got an outfit. Toss a cute easy sundress with lace over top you suit. One of my favorite tricks it to take one of my husbands white shirts, roll up the sleeves and use it as a cover up.

Whatever suit you choose remember the most important trick to looking great is having CONFIDENCE!

Thanks you my friends at Lord & Taylor for all these great styles. Missed today's show? You can watch it here.

Which suit featured today was your favorite? Where do you like to shop for swimwear and what styles are the most flattering on you? Personally I haven’t worn a two piece since I had my first baby- can you say “stretch marks” but thankfully there are tons of amazing styles out there to choose from. I’d love to hear from you so comment below or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com.

Your Best Summer Accessory

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The summer is almost here. Nothing makes a sun dress or a pair of shorts look better than a golden bronze tan. But too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer and prematurely age our skin. Luckily there are several ways to get that bronzed look without damaging our skin with UV rays. Today on Bridge Street I shared with Sistina few of my favorite ways to do that.  Click on the photo above to watch the show.

Whatever you call it- spray tans, sunless tans, fake tans- the main ingredient in sunless tanning products is DHA which interacts with the amino acids in our skin to turn it a brown tan color. It’s approved by the FDA and approved by the AMA, American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation. Over the years the products have been perfected so good quality products will not turn your skin orange like they used to.

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Now on today’s show, I didn’t have time to get into details about the services we discussed, so I’ll do it here and I’ll talk about my experience too. I just want to say that I am NOT a dermatologist or a skin care professional. My clients and friends will ask for my opinion on products like these and so I am happy to share them here and on Bridge Street. I know there are tons of great products out there so share them in the comments below because I love to learn more about other options.

The best way to get a perfect spray tan is to go to a professional who an airbrush your tan on. These are two I like:

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Aubrey James at Lashes, Locks and Lips will apply the airbrush tan to you in a private room. I went to her to get my tan before the Boeheim Ball event and I felt like a million bucks. She’s extremely professional and it takes less than 5 minutes and then you are dry and ready to go out. The formula she uses is from South Seas which is natural and organic. (It’s the same product they use on dancing with the stars and the Kardashians.) You can visit her website lasheslockslips.com and text her to schedule an appointment at her Dewitt location. If you have a wedding party she can also travel to you.

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Reena Elizabeth Mobile Spray Tanning comes to you. She just needs an electrical outlet and a room to set up a tent where she does the spraying, so a living room, basement, garage or pretty much anywhere. She uses a natural formula that she personalizes for you. It’s free of parabens, gluten, sulfate, nut allergens and is 100% vegan. One application is $40 and the entire process takes about 15 minutes. Now I haven’t used Reena’s services yet but she has a good reputation and I love the convenience of her mobile service so I can work it into my busy schedule. Her website is reenaelizabeth.com and on Facebook.

Now if you want a fast spray tan without making an appointment you should try Zoom Tan. There are many locations in the Syracuse area and you can just walk in. The all natural solution takes about 2 1/2 minutes to apply and lasts 5-10 days according to their website. They have a new open air booth so it blows you dry and you don’t have to worry about  holding your breath like you used to years ago. The technology they use has changed a lot since I used it many years ago so I asked a friend of mine who has gone several times before special events what she thought. She says that as a working mom she loves the convenience and they often offer special deals and pricing. However she says that the color is not as reliable as when she gets it done by a professional with the airbrush service. Since you can drop in any time and they have so many locations, it’s definitely a convenient option that I would definitely try. Visit zoomtan.com for locations and information.

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Do it yourself- become a pro! The more you practice applying it yourself the easier it gets. It’s a real treat to go get it done professionally but for every day I do not have the time, or the budget, to go every week all summer long. So I like to do it myself and here are a few tips I have found work best for me:

Exfoliate your skin with a washcloth or similar

Your skin should be clean but I like to add a little moisturizer to areas that tend to be dry and get darker such as knees, feet, and elbows. Some people like to use Vaseline to protect their hairline and eyebrows.

Apply the product and make sure you don’t miss any spots- start from the face and work down the body.

WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY. The palms of our hands don’t tan, but they will if you don’t wash the product off.

Most products need 8-10 hours to really work so it’s best to sleep with it on and wash it off in the morning.

I’ll apply about once a week, but I like to use a self tanning moisturizer every few days to keep my color on my legs fresh. In the summer I am outside a lot with my kids and I run outdoors so my face and arms get some good color. My legs are usually neglected so it’s really easy to apply a product like Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer because it gradually darkens your skin and is colorless.

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And remember that self tanner does not protect your skin from harmful UV rays, so always use sunscreen when you are out. I am fair and have sensitive skin so I like to use Cerave Facial Lotion and Face Sunscreen because it uses a physical blocker, InvisibleZinc, to block UV rays. I wear a moisturizer with SPF year round but in the summer I like to use one with SPF 30 or higher on my face, neck and body. Don’t forget to apply to your ears and tops of your feet too. Your dermatologist can make some good recommendations too.

What sunless products and services do you love? Are you using sunscreen and if so, which is your favorite and why? I’d love to hear from you so comment below or email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com.

Virtually Styled Part 2

Last month on Bridge Street, I shared three really cool online stylist services and apps with Sistina and the viewers.  It was so popular- and there are so many great services out there- that I decided to review two more excellent services and how they work. Check out the segment here and then get the details below.

STICHFIX     Simply fill out the Stitch Fix Style Profile and their personal stylists will handpick a selection of five clothing items and accessories unique to your taste, budget and lifestyle. You can buy what you like and return the rest!

First, fill out your Style Profile- information such as height, weight, denim preferences, styles you like, want or want to avoid. Share a Pinterest board with items you like.

Pick the date you’d like to receive your shipment of five clothing items and accessories handpicked by personal stylists on the date you choose. At the time your stylist selects your items, you will be charged a $20 styling fee. That $20 will be applied as a credit toward anything you keep from your shipment.

Try everything on at home

Buy what you like and return the rest within 3 days. Log on to your account to checkout the items you want and if you keep all 5 you get 25% off your order.

My favorite parts:

• Pinterest is not a waste of time! Actual stylists use it to choose items for you.
• My experience: my first Fix everything was close but not perfect. After I sent it all back they reached out immediately to see if they could try again. Second time there were two pieces I loved, including the dark wash jeans I wore on today's show. They really listened to what I wanted.
• If you don’t have time to shop, it's like having your own personal stylist who will send you a few new pieces to freshen up your wardrobe.

Click the banner below to schedule a Fix for yourself!

CAPSULES is a guide and tool to help you simplify your wardrobe and your life. My mom actually told me about this one. They help you hit the reset button on your wardrobe. This one really resonates with me and many of my clients.

They help you DISCOVER YOUR STYLE based on your colors, taste, and weekly activities. Then they BUILD YOUR CAPSULE, check off what you own, and we'll recommend the clothes you need to complete your capsule.  Last but not least to SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE they’ll provide inspiration on how to mix and match outfits for every season. Capsules is for women. Caldwell is for men.

My favorite parts:

• You can use all your own pieces without having to shop.
• They give you step by step instructions on how to do a closet clean out.
• Their philosophy of ethical, authentic and quality.  They  even have lists of places to shop that also practice sustainability.
• Build a pinterest board for inspiration.

If you missed today's segment, click here to watch it.  Do you think you'd try one of these services, and why? I'd love to hear back from you on your experience using them! Post below in the comments, email me at thesmalltownstylist@gmail.com or post on my Facebook page!