Style Savvy

Hola, you hip hautties!

2012-02-24T08:08:00.000-08:00

I sure hope you all noticed that I haven't been blogging lately..........the reason is a switcheroo of fabulous web gurus (FWGs) and a reworking of the Style Savvy website. If you didn't notice, now is a good time for you to catch up on past blogs and get ready for the unveiling! My FWG will be rolling out the new website shortly and I know you're going to LOVE IT!!!! You'll be able to get all the info you want about Style Savvy and BEING style savvy from the new site and you'll be able to "like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. How fun is that?????? I will be starting to blog again on or around the 19th of March and I sure hope to see you (and all your friends) when we restart. Remember, "trend" is today - "style" is forever!!!!

Out with the old...in with the new Style!

2012-01-02T12:05:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, my haute hotties!!

We here at Style Savvy sure hope that everyone had truly enjoyable, peaceful holidays...and are ready to start the New Year with a bang, not a whimper! And by "bang," I, of course, mean bang for your buck!

The sales that are in stores now! The sales we'll see over the next weeks as the winter merchandise is cleared out to make way for new spring stuff - the fun of new window shopping, new acquisition, new drooling over THINGS! How fun is that? Do you need to buy? Maybe, Maybe this is the perfect time to ASSESS what you DO have and therefore what you DO need! So let's talk about getting down to the nitty gritty, grotty closet cleaning that you promised yourself last year you would do THIS year!

I am a stylist. I am here to show you how to wear what you love and what makes "you" look like "YOU!" So take my advice...go into your closet and remove the stuff that makes "YOU" look like "you." Start the year with a blank canvas, a clean slate and a fresh outlook. Now is the time to get rid of the stained old yoga pants, the frayed and torn T-shirts with coffee stains on them. It's time to replace the pilled sweaters that you've tried, unsuccessfully, to comb clean. It's time to eliminate the too tight jeans, the way too baggy, no waistband slacks and the shoes that you've worn to death. Haven't worn it since Hillary was a senator? Ditch it...it'll take 20 years to come back into style and even then it'll come back with differences that make it unwearable! Get in there! There's no better time than now to edit your closet, because believe me, that STUFF that's been clogging it up is just lying to you. When you walk into a stuffed closet, it fools you into believing that you've got tons to wear when you really don't. And then it makes you feel guilty about shopping, which should NEVER happen. So, do you need a tax deduction for 2012 or are you just going to be a samaritan and give your things to a shelter? Either way, there are people who need what you've got. So give with a full heart, knowing that you've done two good deeds!

And then...  Look at the sales! What better time to buy a couple of new workout outfits, some new PJs and the new bras you've been needing than when every online retailer is slashing prices? What about cute new T's to replace the holey ones you've been wearing around the house? Want some new sweaters to take the place of the cardigans with the dangling hemlines? Take your sweet self to the mall, the boutique or the computer and feel great about the deals you're getting! Why? Because when you start with a cleaned out closet, you can see what you have, what you need and what you can recombine to showcase the 2012 "YOU." And you know what will surprise you? Maybe, how LITTLE you really need. Learn to combine the classic and old with the modern and new to see who you really are. Take those GREAT pants that are too baggy to wear off to the tailor and create a new silhouette that works perfectly with the slim T you found on sale. And the sweaters you were given for Christmas that you love? Grab some leggings or poach that skirt you've been waiting for. This is the moment to plug the holes in your wardrobe, stock up, if you wish, on fresh examples of tried and true faves. With a clean closet, you can see what's really necessary and then feel good about buying, which is, after all, the point!  

Can't get into cleaning out that cave that used to be your closet? Call me. Can't figure out what will give you that new look you've been craving? Write to me at lindsay@stylesavvyonline.com. Make 2012 the year you reexamine your authentic style and, if you need help, ask for it! Because, never forget, "trend" is today, "style" is forever!

Holiday Gift Ideas...keep on giving!

2011-11-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

Hi there, smart shoppers!

I know everyone is doing the Christmas rush thing now, so I had an idea that all of you MUST want to know MY ideas for holiday gifts - the things I think are great for friends, relatives and the hostess-with-the-mostest that you forget to pick something up for until the last second. Don't you want to know? Sure you do!

I have always believed that a truly stylish gift is something you would want for yourself. Of course, I frequently end up buying two of things because I love them so much I can't give them away, but that's how my recipients know their gift is special...because others crave it too! For example, gifts for hostesses. There's never anything wrong with a nice bottle of wine, flowers or a bottle of whatever your host and hostess are most fond of. But why not be a bit more stylish and original? This year my favorite host and hostess gift has been matching holiday fleece or flannel pajamas from Nick and Nora. The simple cotton ones are fun and inexpensive at Target and the heavier flannels are available at Macy's and Nordstrom, as well as online retailers under Nick and Nora. Talk about an unusual present - and something cuddly for those cold evenings! I package them with some Williams-Sonoma hot cocoa mix or peppermint bark and enjoy the smiles on my hostesses faces!

For relatives that you have no idea of what to buy for? What do you give the people who have everything? Well, this year I'm giving my pet loving family gifts of studio pet photography from Pet'ographique. The owner and photographer, Arica, is offering great deals on portrait sittings for pets or families and they make wonderful gifts and can be used for holiday cards, formal portraits or almost anything you can imagine. Pet photography immortalizes family friends and is definitely a gift that warms the heart of any pet lover! Another fun idea? How about the makings of a table centerpiece for the holidays? Stop at Pottery Barn to pick up a tray, winter potpourri and several candles of different sizes and voila! A holiday centerpiece that lasts through the season and provides scent as well as visual appeal! Yet another one? How about a lobster gram for hard to please relatives? I ordered one for my mother-in-law...it was a lobster tail sampler of four lobster tails from different waters - with two of each kind it gave my in-laws four different festive meals that they definitely would not buy for themselves! Practical, fun and special!

What to get for the friends you cherish? I've always loved the idea of a bottle of the bubbly and a set of champagne flutes to serve it in. Depending on your price range, you can find everything from Vera Wang to Waterford flutes and any type of champers you know your friends like. Theyll always have the flutes for special occasions. Or how about a matched set of crystal snowflakes to hang from a tree or curtain rod? That's something they can bring out year after year and think of you! My fave gift for girlfriends this year, though, are cashmere scarves. I pick the colors to suit and delight, and I feel a thrill when I see them being worn and enjoyed, just as I secretly am enjoying the twins to them that I bought and kept for myself! Nothing says cozy/comfy like cashmere!

Well, stylish senors y senoras, whaddya think? I'd love to hear about your fave gifts and givings...please write and let me know what you came up with! As for me, I'm going right into the spare room where I keep gifts and cozying up to that cobalt blue cashmere muffler that I bought for...Hmmmm, I NEED one in cobalt, don't I?

Enjoy the holiday season and remember, trend is today, style is forever!

Winter Wear: The Basic 5

2011-11-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

Aloha, you ab-fans!

We are definitely in that time of year that makes me yearn for warm beaches and blue water, but the fact of the matter is...coat time! Very few fashionistas have a coat obsession because they're NOT that sexy, they don't always show off your "ass-ets" and they are carried more than they're worn, but they are a fact of life, so let's dive into the five coats/jackets every woman should own.

A lot of your outerwear has to depend on where you're wearing it, for example, Fort Lauderdale, Florida vs. Fort Lee, New Jersey. But while the weight of the wear changes with where you wear it, the 'why' doesn't. They keep you warm, compliment your outfit and keep you dry. Which is why the first essential is a trench coat. Heavy or light, a trench coat is a classic that covers a multitude of uses. It's the perfect length (slightly above the knee) to wear with suits and dresses. In the right fabric (satin for evening, patent for clubbing, twill for office and any of the above for casual chic) it goes everywhere. What's he perfect trench, you ask? A black patent that looks equally chic at the theater, the school play and the movies. An equally stylish alternative? Khaki a la Burberry. Invest. Buy. Keep forever.

"A log of your outerwear has to depend on where you're wearing it."

Number two topcoat is the pea coat or one of its many variations. The tried and true is mid-thigh, wool and closes with toggles. It's most classic in navy or forest green to wear with most slacks and all jeans. It has many relatives, though - any warm thigh high coat will work as well and the modern ones are belted, beaded, bedazzled and brightly colored. It's a stylish piece, so find one that compliments your personal style!

The third and fourth items of outerwear are sweaters - the long cardigan in a cozy fabric like wool, mohair or my personal fav, cashmere, and the cape in a thick nap like flannel. The cardi can be belted or not, buttoned or what. It's length depends on your height, with more petite women opting for shorter than the knee versions. The cape, however, can be full length on any body and goes from simple for everyday to sensational by night. If your own personal style allows for that kind of a statement, indulge yourself in the sinfully seductive. If not, select the simple and wear it through spring.

The last, necessary piece of exterior clothing is the leather jacket. Bomber style, biker chic or baseball chick, a good leather jacket goes over many dressy dresses, most sharp slacks and all your jeans looks. It can be any color, with dark brown being the most versatile color family. It can be oversized or shrunken depending on your frame and mood. It's highly versatile and should therefore be another piece that you invest your good money into - NOTHING feels like good leather besides...good leather!

So you see, savvy shoppers, that the basic five can be far from basic. Whether you spend a fortune or very few dollars, though, these five have you covered. In style. Your style. And remember, trend is today, style is forever! Aloha!

Rave Online Shopping

2011-11-14T07:51:00.000-08:00

Hola, shivering stylistas!

Baby, it's cold outside! Perfect weather to put on flannel jammies, make a cup of hot buttered anything, and sit down with your iPad and your favorite online shopping sites! Nothing warms the heart like a package on your doorstep - and while you're remembering everyone else this holiday season, you can treat yourself to a little gift (that's my rationale and I'm sticking to it!). If you're more disciplined than I am, you can just browse...but is that REALLY as much fun?

I have some favorite online shopping sites, as I'm sure you do, but you haven't written to tell me yours, so I'm just going to share mine. Some of mine are bargains, others are pretty pricey but they're all fun and worth checking. For example, the "Mint" triplet - BeautyMint.com, StyleMint.com and JewelMint.com. You pay a monthly fee, like $29.99, and that buys you one credit. Each object then costs you a credit - at Beauty Mint it's beauty products, at StyleMint it's T-shirts and at JewelMint it's jewelry and accessories. So, in effect, you're paying $29.99 for each piece you buy, which can be quite a deal (and I've gotten some fab jewelry and Ts), or you can wait and use your credits later, or even opt out for the month and pay nothing. Lots of flexibility and choices - cool stuff. No downsides here, and lots of ups!

Two very chi-chi but fun sites are shopbop.com and net-a-porter.com. These are high end but frequently have good sales, and yours truly has scored some definite deals. I'm also a big fan of the whole enchilada, I mean, banana, as in Banana Republic, which is also Old Navy, Gap and Piperlime. Piperlime in particular has some GREAT buys on shoes and boots and shipping and returns are usually free, (these are also great sites to find gifts for others, thereby assuaging your guilt at spending on yourself! I have a whole host of gifts stocked in my closet...but only for women who wear size 9 shoes and love leopard booties!).

Fashionistas also find fun fashion (say that five times, fast!) at MyHabit.com, a discount site, and revolveclothing.com. Warning, though. Read through the site to make sure you get free shipping, free exchanges and free returns, along with no tax. Those bennies really make a difference, and you can save mucho over department store prices - READ CAREFULLY!

So, have I given you something to think about? Or just given you the seeds of a new obsession? Either way, these sites can provide great buys, great gifts or great window shopping escape time - and all while you're wearing those warm jammies and drinking that hot butterscotch schnapps, I mean, tea. So enjoy your computer time, my savvy senoritas, and remember, trend is today, style is forever!

Online Shopping

2011-11-07T08:56:00.000-08:00

Felicitations, fabulous fans!

This last week was a weird but happy one because I indulged in one of my true obsessions - online shopping. It's an addiction that I always swear (to my husband), that I'm through giving in to, and yet I always fall off the wagon after a few months. What is it about Internet shopping that makes it seem less expensive and more fun than the same activity in person? Is it that feeling of Christmas at any time? Is it parting that tissue paper to see if the reality matches the fantasy? Or is it just that joy of acquisition and "newness" that some of us are hooked on?

Online shopping, for sure, has some "cons." For one thing, even with the sales you can summon and the coupons you can come up with, I have a flash for you. You can go broke saving money. When you're not forking over the cash, you can lose sight of how much you spend until the Visa bill rears up and slaps you (or your husband) in the face. Added to the money, honey, is the cost of returns or the useless stuff in your closet that you were too lazy to return. Either way, you've wasted the dinero. There's also the frustration you feel when the order is wrong or doesn't work for you. But oh, the PROS!!

The pros of being able to shop at your leisure! No crowds or bad parking spaces! The thrill when you find tax free and free shipping sites! The fun of finding sites with great gifts - oh, who am I kidding? The fun is in finding sites with things YOU love (but there's no greater gift than giving someone something you would love for yourself!). "Ok, Lindsay (I hear you say), but what does this have to do with style?"

"Simple," I reply. Style is an expression of the authentic you, and doesn't end with clothes or begin with shoes. Your style is expressed in your home, your gift giving and your enjoyments - three things celebrated through online shopping! Granted, shopping in person gives me the opportunity to wear more of the great clothes I found online, but Nordstrom has also expressed a dislike for me shopping at 2:30 a.m. with my bag of chips in hand. Man, are THEY rigid! Anyway, there are pros and cons to online shopping and next week I'll be detailing more of them with a discussion of some of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) sites. 'Til then, remember, "trend is today, style is forever!"

Skirting HOT Styles

2011-10-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

Hello again, my fierce fashionistas!

Have you, like me, been looking at fashion and style mags lately and wondering about skirt lengths? Ok, I know I just lost the jeans only-wearing portion of my audience, but even those of you avowed trouser trolls may find that some of these skirt lengths are just as comfy as jeans and offer a chance to think outside the box without sacrificing your personal ethos. Take a look at three great skirts for fall/winter. Sexy secretary chic meets haute cowgirl with a hint of hippie!

The first length is knee-lenght. Ok, I hear it now - "Lindsay, knee-lenght has been around forever!" Sure it has, but not paired with the floaty blouses and hot heels that make it fresh. A knee length skirt, especially in a pencil shape, is one of style's eternal "DO's,"- it never looks wrong. It's flattering to virtually everyone, even that ugly hag Kate Middleton, because it elongates the leg. When worn high-waisted with a semi-sheer blouse it can take you to cocktails, when paired with a button down it's work appropriate and when you put it with boots and a sweater it's almost, but not definably weekend casual. Take that, blue denim!

Another fun length? What women "of a certain age " call "midi" - or mid calf. This is where we can really get comfy. Of course it goes to work, that's a given. But how fun is a calf length skirt with today's heeled hiking boots and a flannel shirt? Or how about with a short sweater or shrunken cardi and chunky heels? Why not try it with a fitted silk shirt and platforms? Oh, the fun I could have with a Kardashian sized budget!

My third pick is the long skirt and this one could make me leave even leggings in the closet! An ankle length skirt, especially with a well placed slit? Genius with booties and a cotton Oxford shirt, modern as Gaga with a floral top and leather biker jacket. And oh how nice it feels to shed those corduroys once in a while...or twice or three times! The longer lengths need some substance on the foot though, so leave those flats on your shelf and break out the boots or heels - and now you can really show those off because they're not covered by your jeans! It's a two-fer!

So you see, my little chickadees, the skirt can be your new best friend. It's stylish with just a hint of trend because, as you remember, trend is today, style is forever!

Glasses don't have to look bad!

2011-10-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

Hi, you hot hipsters!

It occurs to me that some of my fabulous followers may be, as the French say," of a certain age "where such things as reading glasses become not just another accessory but a necessity. Is one of them you? Do you look at reading glasses as a momentary glitch in your perfection or as a necessary evil? Are you convinced that reading glasses are the exclusive province of librarians and second grade teachers in the 1950's? Think again! If you don't wear reading glasses, chances are you wear sunglasses at least and maybe even regular prescription lenses at times, instead of contacts. Well, either way, if one must wear them one should wear them with flair, panache and style. So which ones look best on you?

What style of glasses, reading, full prescription or sunglasses, depends on the shape of your face, along with your coloring. Thought you could just buy 'em at Smith's? Not until you know that face of yours and what makes it look stunning! So listen up! The wrong glasses can make you look like Mr. Magoo, whereas the right ones can give you more mystery than Jackie O and Greta Garbo combined. There are basically seven shapes of faces and which one you were born with determines which glasses will look like they were made for you. Hair-color and eyecolor will determine whether you want to boast a colorful plastic frame or stick with a neutral. So...got a round face? Rectangular glasses make your face look longer and thinner by breaking up the round. The second shape of face is the oval. Here you want an oval shape with the widest part of the oval being as wide or wider than the broadest part of your face. This gives your face a bit more width and dimension. See what we're driving towards? Not blending into the face but accentuating it. With the third face shape, the square, your chin, cheekbones and forehead are all in proportion with a fairly flat hairline. This shape of face benefits from wide horizontal or oval shapes to soften the jawline and create a bit more width. Shape four is the oblong, often mistaken for the oval but more squared off and with stronger features. This face requires strong shapes. Horizontal, round or cat's eye all work, as long as they are strong, not delicate. The right frames will make your face look shorter and wider. Another face shape and probably the most rare, is the true heart-shaped face. Broad, high cheekbones and a pointed chin need frames that are bottom-heavy, like some aviators, to draw the eye below the middle of the face and add a bit of fullness. This shape of face can wear many of the wider, colorful plastic frames that are so on-trend. (Just don't spend too much on them unless you've got Kim Kardashian's shopping budget - this trend could reverse as quickly as it emerged!)

The last two face shapes are the diamond shape and the triangle shape, which resembles the heart but is much more angular. Because the triangle is half of the diamond, it seems reasonable that the diamond face will look good in rounded-bottom glasses, like a cat's eye, whereas the triangle face needs the strong square shape of a classic aviator. Both of these glasses shapes are all the rage right now and since these facial structures are so strong, they can wear color and pattern. In other words, if you have a strongly shaped face, forget those delicate little cheaters and bust out! If you need these glasses, they're as much a part of your wardrobe as your jeans and chances are you'll wear them even more often, so investing in them is not a waste. Find frames you really like and have prescription lenses put in! You don't have to settle for what's on the rack at Costco! The traditional cheater probably looks great on those of you with round or oval faces and the slightly heavier ones with brighter colors can really rock an oblong or square face. But don't stop there. Grab a pair of Ray-Bans, you heart-shapes and triangles, and have colored cheater lenses put in at your optician's office. What a fashion statement - how stylish - how YOU!

So - not just for Chemistry teachers with steel gray hair and plaid skirts, right? The right glasses are just as necessary to your look as they are to your vision. Embrace your inner myopic! Glasses are as important as earrings! Sunglasses are the new Botox! (Ok, I may be going a bit overboard but I'm trying to stir you away from lens-complacency!) Try 'em! And remember, "trend" is today, "style" is forever!

What Not to Wear

2011-10-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, chich chicks!

My husband, who would scoff at being called stylish but is nevertheless, asked me a question this week that is SO worth sharing with you. The question was, "There are tons of style TV shows like "What Not To Wear" and stylists (wonder where he got THAT idea?) who tell you what's perfect for you, but are there really any rules left? Are there still fashion dont's?"

It does seem as if there are no longer any rules in fashion, but there are still some rules with regard to style. Fashion may say that you can put mildly strange combos together, colors that clash, patterns that perplex. But there will always be "dont's" in style-the "rules" that separate authentic style from those that just don't quite get it. The good news is that these "rules" can be learned and, combined with fashion's "try everything" attitude, can really make thinking outside the box into a true expression of style.

Probably the worst style "don't" has to do with the word "tight." There's "fitted,",there's "slim fitting," we hear "snug" and "lean." Fashionistas experiment with all fits. Stylistas, though, know their bodies and know that "too tight" is not flattering. Real bodies (unlike Kate Moss, Gisele and their ilk) have flaws and the fastest way to let everybody in on what they are is to wear your clothes like Saran Wrap. Short tops, too tight pants worn over spare tires - nobody's best look. The less perfect the body the more careful its owner should be about what drapes versus what clings - remember, spandex is a privilege, not a right.

Another style no-no? Unflattering colors close to your face. The truly style savvy know what colors make them look like week-old corpses and don't wear those colors near skin. Fashion mags show models wearing all sorts of color combinations but those models are made up specifically to wear those shades. Trends in fashion may feature cool looking new colors in clothing and makeup but if they're not flattering, the rule is keep them away from your face and neck and do your experimenting on other parts of your body.

These are just two of the "rules" that separate the stylish from the merely fashionable. There are others but they all boil down to one and it's airtight. Authentic style means knowing your body with all its flaws and fabulousness and never slavishly following a trend unless it works for you. Take the ones that don't and adapt them in other ways so that you still get that "thinking outside the box" thrill without breaking the "rules." And yes, honey, that's why I didn't let you buy that lime-green shirt!

Remember, "trend" is today, "style" is forever!

Summer to Fall

2011-10-10T07:13:00.000-07:00

We are right in the middle of that transitional time between seasons, when it feels like fall at night but summer during the day; when a cardi is enough over a T but a jacket feels more right and when the light has changed so that summer colors look too bright, and summer fabrics too thin. Georgia S. wrote to me and asked how to extend her summer fashions so that she doesn't start wearing all her winter pieces when it's still 70 degrees and I thought there might be one or ten of you who share her question, so - how do you use summer and fall pieces to form a new, transitional wardrobe? Read on!

Let's start with color. Your summer clothes have pretty pastels, yummy yellows and wispy whites. Instead of wearing those tops with shorts, wear them with jeans and a dark neutral cardigan or vest. Picture it - a white cotton peasant blouse tucked into high waisted jeans, a leopard print belt and neutral espadrilles or wedges. Add a chocolate sweater or shrunken blazer for evening and there - you've used pieces from summer and fall to create...transition! Now how about those of you who embraced the maxi dress? Is there hope? Of course! Grab that floral or dark-skirted maxi and pair it with the new ankle boots you already bought for fall. Top the dress with a rugged but not oversized jacket, in denim or camo or even a leather bomber jacket and voila, transition! Still have your pastel or white skinny jeans out, hoping to get another wear or three? Color block them (a great fall trend!) by pairing them with a black, brown, navy or forest green top and similarly colored loafer pumps. For example, I'll be wearing my distressed lime skinnies with a chunky pink cotton sweater and burgundy loafer pumps, and I LOVE pairing white jeans with a black sweater set, pink scarf and black and pink platform Mary-Janes, like the new ones from Vince Camuto. Want to play it down a bit? Tuck those jeans into flat brown riding boots and add a long sleeved brown T. Chic, Jackie O, transition!

Are ya getting the idea that transition is a dark-with-bright, heavy-versus-light, macho-along with-slight kind of thing? Good for you! Your silk camis get paired with thin skirts in the summer but they look hot with jeans and a dark neutral cozy during transition. A sundress looks fierce when its worn with socks and ankle boots and a denim jacket. And, if you're young enough or just ballsy and have great legs, the distressed denim shorts from the summer can make a fabulous look with tights and a thin midriff sweater and ankle boots. These are all great ways to embrace the trends we are seeing now, coupled with your own authentic style, because always remember- trend is today, style is forever! Does that answer your question, Georgia?

Fall Wardrobe

2011-10-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, fashion fans and style savants!

Are you the type of woman (or man) who has their fall wardrobe completed by Labor Day or are you the OTHER type-the one who is still finding amazing fall clothes in January? I am the worst kind, according to my husband; I BELIEVE that I've finished fall shopping by the middle of September but continue to buy...I mean, browse, throughout the season. The reason I do this is simple (other than the obvious-it's fun!). I like to buy my trendy bits early, before either the trend is over or I'm sick of seeing it. This year, for instance, I shopped for leggings, tunics and cropped dress slacks back in August and had achieved my quota of ankle boots by September 20. This doesn't mean I think all these items will be out of fashion by next season, but the trend will be changing so I wear it while it's hot. During the rest of the fall, I am on the lookout for sales on the classic pieces that I will wear for years - pieces that are expensive, so I try to find good deals. This is very much like buying Christmas cards on December 26th. They'll still be great next year but at half off, they're even greater!

Now, a lot depends on where you live because the warmer climates don't get fall merchandise in as rapidly as the areas where it's really needed sooner. But even here in Las Vegas, our stores receive fall clothes beginning in August. Unless you're THAT WOMAN who ONLY buys on sale, August and early September are the perfect times to find fall/winter clothes (especially when you consider Labor Day sales). The sales over Columbus Day and Veterans Day are attempts to move the merchandise that's not doing as well, while Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years are sales to make room for the next season's wares. So if you have the majority of your fall/winter wardrobe early, you can pick through sale stuff in a calm relaxed manner, looking for classic pieces and fun additions, instead of zipping through stores like a demented bee, chasing items that you can't find in your size or color.

Some of my clients justify buying fall/winter late in the season by explaining to me that they "didn't have time" or "couldn't find" this, that or the other. No excuses are necessary-shopping FEELS good and satisfies a need in us. I'm just pointing out a smart way to do it. This way gets the job done but leaves you time to find the good stuff. Now isn't that a savvy way to style yourself? And it illustrates my point:, trend is today, style is forever!

Daniel Day Lewis versus Flared Pants

2011-09-26T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, haute hotties!

I frequently am asked a question that I think has great merit - "how do you know when a new look will become a classic versus just being another 'flash-in-the-pan' trend?" For example, how do we know that flares will always be a go-to standard, while cropped skinnies will come and go time and again? I evaluate looks in much the same way I evaluate movie stars (although with a lot less emphasis on the butt!). How do you know that Christian Bale will still be a box office draw in 20 years while Robert Pattinson is hopefully banking his cash against the day he stops being a teen idol? The answer, for me, lies in the broad range of the piece's, or the star's appeal.

Add Daniel Day Lewis

To me, Daniel Day Lewis is like a pair of bootcut jeans. He takes on a wide variety of roles, BECOMES each part to the extent that an audience forgets they're watching him and believes him to BE the character. His age and looks (yum!) have little to do with the part (although, I dare you to watch Last of the Mohicans without oohing and aaaahing) except as they make it more believable. When backed by a good cast and a well written script, Daniel Day Lewis IS the movie. Similarly, a classic item of clothing like a pair of well made bootcut jeans is the foundation of an outfit. Paired with dressy pieces and accessories, it becomes an elegant ensemble. When put together with casual accoutrements, it is a go-to everyday look. How long its been in your closet or on the store racks doesn't matter: the classicism of the line and the fact that it blends with anything is what makes it a classic versus a trend.

The same can't be said for cropped plaid wool slacks or The Situation. Both are a hot topic in fall/winter 2011 but neither will become a classic along the lines of ballet flats or Clark Gable because you can never forget that they are what they look like - temporarily interesting but easily replaced. An outfit created around the cropped plaid slacks is like a TV show with The Situation...SO 2011. Compare that to flared, fitted wool dress slacks or Johnny Depp and it's obvious why they are enduring and seasonless - either one can carry an outfit or a picture alone but is a great addition to an ensemble, with pieces or actors of any age.

So, the next time you're trying to evaluate an article of clothing to determine whether it's a classic of a trend that you don't want to spend too much on, look at it this way. Is it the equivalent of high heeled black pumps, a pencil skirt or a khaki trench coat? Or is it Lindsay Lohan in 3-inch long satin shorts? The answer will tell you if it's trend, which is today - or style, which is forever.

Top 10 Must Have Shoes

2011-09-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

Were you intrigued with five of the 10 pairs of shoes every woman should own? I went right to my shoe closet and developed a yen for a new pair of nudies - I've got my eye on the Choos but, like most of us, have to save for the right ones because they are an investment. Keep that in mind when you're adding to your current collection - you may not feel like affording Blahnik, but there are endless pairs of less expensive, less commitment - oriented shoes by designers like Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson and Ivanka Trump. Buy the best you can afford and when you can afford it, buy the best!

Pair six of the essential 10 is the evening shoe. We all need an AWESOME pair of pumps or sandals that take the LBD or black slacks to new heights of club-itude. They can be black silk, metallic leather or crystal-embellished strappy...the point is they are night time conveyors of the "I'm a true-to-myself diva" mentality. They elevate any outfit to "look at me!" heights and doit simply, elegantly and for a long time to come.

Number seven: the high heeled boot. Never have boots shown up in so many incarnations but the style savvy will always make the first pair you buy the classy, sexy black, pointed toe, knee high 3-inch heel classic. There's never been a winter when these weren't in style and they go with everything in your winter wardrobe. Variations later will include suedes, added colors and platforms, different heel heights or widths but the beginner needs that first pair in black leather like Mama needs a brand new bag (sorry, Joss Stone!).

Number eight is definitely the ankle boot. Worn with dresses, it adds a modern edge. Worn with skinny jeans it lengthens the leg and gives a tough vibe. Worn with skirts, it contrasts the feminine and masculine sides and looks effortlessly chic. Your pick will depend on your wardrobe colors but my suggestion would be a wedge or platform in brown suede or a neutral like charcoal or burgundy. This is the boot that turns jeans into a JEANS LOOK and, along with a great bag and hoop earrings, goes virtually anywhere in town. You can rock it!

Pedro Garcia chunky sandal

My number nine out of 10 is the chunky sandal. I confess to an addiction to these but don't worry, I started a 12-step program years ago because I freely admit that I gave no control here. I am obsessed with Pedro Garcia's foot-friendly cork soled, suede chunky platforms with peep toes and bare heels. I have a pair in black that leave most of my foot bare but buckle in a cuff around my ankle and they look fierce with shorts but hot with cropped pants and perfect with a DVF wrap dress. This is probably the broadest category of the 10, because there are so many types of chunky sandals, so here's my advice. These are the shoes you're going to throw on with whatever you're wearing, whether you're taking a class or dropping something at work or grabbing a quick lunch with friends. They take your mood from blah to blast-off and your outfit from mundane to marvelous, so buy the ones that make you grin and won't let you stop grinning.

Must have Ugg's

Number 10? The equivalent of cashmere for the feet, these are the shoes or boots I pull on when I have to run errands and it's a crummy day - they serve to make me feel cuddly and cozy and to all the naysayers, I proudly yell "I love my Uggs!" Now one woman's Uggs are another woman's Birkenstocks, but the most important thing here is that you have one pair of clogs/shoes/boots in your closet that feels as good on your feet as sweats feel on your body. I love Uggs because of the shearling and the many styles and colors but I have actually heard some grouchies saying that Uggs are...gasp...not stylish. To them I say - anything that puts that big a smile on my face reflects my true style. I walk my happy walk and it shows that I feel good about myself and when I feel good, I LOOK good!

So here's my top 10 and I hope you agree with me. Have a shoe style you can't live without? A pair that pops? Write me and let me know what your top ten are! Just remember, "trend" is today "style" is forever!

Choos, Choos and more Choos

2011-09-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hi there, you devastating divas!

Last week I talked about buying that most perfect of all accessories, THE SHOE. If you didn't read last week's blog, shame on you! If you did, thank you and you'll remember that this week I am writing about the shoes that every woman should have in her closet. Consider this a beginner's guide, since I'm only going to lust...oops, Freudian slip, of course I meant LIST five pairs this week and continue with five more next week. Anybody who wants to attain advanced status, let's talk personally!

Pair number one-and let's face it, the object of many a woman's search for the perfect shoe, is the black pump. Worn with an LBD, suit or skirt, it makes a powerfully elegant statement. Worn with pants or jeans, it raises the class level of any outfit. This pump should be the best leather you can afford, a classic toe shape either pointed or round and as high a heel as you can wear comfortably, and you must take care of it RELIGIOUSLY! Your black pumps are an investment piece! Other skins, embellishments and heel heights can be added on at the more advanced levels - the beginner's black pump should be the most timeless, classic, simple shoe you can buy.

Pair number two is a flesh toned pump that complements your skin. With a low vamp (the part across the top of the foot from the toe to the arch) this pump extends your leg and is ideal for light colored or floral print skirts and dresses. It also adds a neutral note to slacks or jeans, allowing you to "bring in da funk" with your top or other accessories. Again leather, if you'll take care of it, put money into this shoe and keep it forever. If you won't, buy a less expensive pump but keep it as classic as possible. A good bet is a patent with a platform.

"Every woman in the world needs a pair of shoes that are comfy, comfy, comfy but are NOT sneakers."

The third pair? Every woman in the world needs a pair of shoes that are comfy, comfy, comfy but are NOT sneakers. It's called a walking shoe, ladies - the Oxford, the loafer......you get my drift. It's the shoe you wear with jeans, slacks, knee length shorts and some skirts when you need to fly but still look fly. It doesn't have to be flat if you are equally comfortable with a heel. Think of this pair as the one you run errands in when you want to be taken seriously! And on that note - ladies, please; take the clunky athletic shoe and put it in your gym bag, put it in your locker or leave it with your workout clothes in your closet, but don't wear it with street clothes. It adds 15 years to your age and nothing to your style!

Your fourth pair of essentials? Going into fall now I have to give a plug for the knee high flat or low heeled boot. Whether it's a riding style, biker look or suede Three Musketeers model, this boot works over skinny jeans, under flared jeans or pants and with most skirts, and looks great with leggings and sweaters. A classic riding or biker look never dates and speaks to your personal style, while the more embellished, buckled versions are very hot now and will be for years to come. Leather or other skin, black, brown or a newer neutral like stone gray, these boots are the basics of your fall/winter looks.

And lastly, at least for this week, is the essential flat. Think Audrey Hepburn here. If you're the type who drools over ballet flats, great! The classic would be black silk or satin but leather is more durable. Are you a bit edgy? Go for a pointy toe version to wear with skinny jeans, skirts, dresses and cropped winter pants. This is a great staple in an animal print also - leopard flats? Neutral with an edge!

Have I whet your appetite? Are you dying to shop - or are you that scary broad who already owns the basics and has moved on to the next 50 pairs (believe me, my shoe collection is as big as my hubby will let it get! )? Whether you are beginning your shoe odyssey or happily continuing a love affair with footwear, double check that you have these basics. And next week we'll talk about more, ok? Happy now?

Remember, "trend" is today, "style" is forever!

A Woman's Right to "Choos"

2011-09-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hello again, stupendous shoe shoppers!

Jimmy Choos

Ladies, we all have the right to Choos. And Blahniks. And Weitzmans. Maybe you are, as I am, an admitted "shoe whore." Maybe you're an Imelda-in-training. Maybe, like one of my good friends, you like shoes but don't spend much on them. And, maybe the need for shoes just pisses you off. But, like it or not, sooner or later we all go to a store and buy them. Whether you wear low-cost or Louboutin, knowing your own personal style and wearing only what makes you look and feel fabulous demands that you know a bit about what you're buying.

Stuart Weitzman

Now, before I get into either the nitty or the gritty of shoe designers, I want to warn you shoe savvy souls about something that can be a huge help or a huge irritant in the shoe store. I refer, of course, to THE SHOE SALESMAN (or woman - I'm not a sexist!). Most of these folks are warm, helpful and knowledgeable about their products. The ones who are not, however, pose a great threat! First of all, shoe salespeople (there, is that better?) usually work on commission so take those compliments and comments with a POUND of salt. The asides like, "Don't you love those? They're brand new." are designed to entice because honestly," don't buy those because they've been here forever and they're going on sale next week" could lose them money, as could "no, we don't have them in your size," which is why four other pairs get brought out when they don't. Once you try on your selections, though, beware of the salesperson who tells you how wonderful they look when you're unsure. If you're not sure, wait. You can always go back if you love them afterwards but chances are you won't return them if you buy them now. And my biggest pet peeve is another caution-beware of the clerk who responds to "they're a little tight" with "oh, they'll stretch out when you wear them." Your feet are precious and singular and ARE NOT SHOE STRETCHERS! Just like with men, ladies, don't buy them thinking you're going to turn them into something else! Your foot can only stretch most shoes by a quarter of a size and that's with a lot of pain and blisters. That expression "if the shoe fits, wear it" was coined for a reason! Unless you, like myself or Kim Kardashian, don't care how they feel as long as they're stunning, BUY THE ONES THAT FIT!

Manolo Blahnik

How do we make sure they fit? I also tell my clients to buy shoes in the afternoon or evening. Why? Because that's when your feet are at their most swollen which means, especially if you're trying on dressy shoes, that you won't get them home and suddenly feel like they're too small! And another thing...don't let anyone hurry you along in your shoe quest. Walk and stand, turn and walk some more until you KNOW that your purchase is the unquestionable answer to a prayer. Always try on shoes the way you'll be wearing them; with a trouser sock, hose, tights or barefoot if the department allows it. That insures that the fit is correct and the look is fabulous. Learn what heel heights and toe shapes work for you - and go so far as to learn which designers makes shoes that fit your foot well. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by starting with brands you know - but don't be afraid to try on that incredible Betsey Johnson wedge in pink and lilac, it might just be the perfect shoe for that grey skirt...

Manolo Blahnik

Next week, lovely loyalistas, I'm going to start in on the shoes that every woman should have in her closet. I'll even tell you the styles and colors! So, until then, stay true to yourself and your own authentic style, because "trend is today, style is forever!"

Hi, I'm a browseaholic!

2011-08-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

Felicitations, fabulous fans!

Hi, I'm Lindsay and I'm a browseaholic. Now YOU say, "Hi, Lindsay!"

Those of you who don't yet need a twelve step program may not even be sure of what a browseaholic is, so the rest of us will enlighten you so that you can take the first step on your own. A browseaholic is addicted to retail therapy. We love to shop but can't always afford to buy, so we've become addicted to all forms of window shopping, from the type you do in a store, to the monthly fix of slippery paper we get in the mail, to that invention that surely comes from Satan to tempt us - online shopping. We are not necessarily shopaholics, whose addiction involves actual purchasing: we are addicted to LOOKING and, for those of us whose disease is advanced, to touching and trying on.

Do you save InStyle, Vogue or Lucky magazines like a carefully hoarded treasure to be read when you're alone and have lots of time? Does your heart do a happy dance at the idea of walking through the mall to see next season's firsts? Do you wake up in the middle of the night depressed, only to cheer up at the knowledge that Nordstrom.com never closes? We who are browseaholics welcome you! And, I have great news for us and for our brothers and sisters, the shopaholics - I have found THE BEST place to browse and to try on and even to make your own! I am referring to YOUR OWN CLOSETS.

Unless you have Paris Hilton's shopping budget, you may find that your retail therapy has gotten less frequent in this economy. Now is the time to use all your sources of inspiration and information and learn how to shop your own closet. This is the first step that I take as a stylist when I do a wardrobe makeover - remove everything, in turn, from the closet and examine it. Is it a classic piece that never goes out of style? Keep it. Is it a favorite piece that you get lots of compliments on? Hang on to it. Is it an item that some tailoring or re-imagining could make flattering? Save it. Then, be ruthless and put the rest in a pile marked "donate."

"We who are browseaholics welcome you!"

Now, not only do you only have the cream of your wardrobe in your closet, but you've examined everything and really KNOW what's there. Now is when it gets fun. Now you can use the words of those goddesses, the fashion magazine editors, and start learning how to recombine your own pieces to show off your own personal style. Doesn't every magazine tout the virtues of the crisp, white button down shirt? Maybe white isn't your color! But that pale pink button down will look crisp after a trip to the cleaners and some medium starch. Don't you usually wear it with jeans? Why not pair it with a black skirt or a pair of brown wool slacks? Don't have a black or brown belt that fits? Put them on the list of what to buy and pull out that skinny metallic belt you've been saving since the last time they were trendy. Hey- looks sharp! Didn't that give you a little rush, like all browseaholics get when on the prowl? Now try taking that tailored silk blouse that you usually think of as dressy and pair it with jeans. Don't have an ultramodern pair of platform loafers? Put 'em on the list and haul out your good black heels. Got a leather jacket or a blazer? Now that's a hot look! Let's try one more. Take that summery sun dress you got lots of compliments on and put it on over the opaque tights you bought last winter. Add some chunky ankle boots and the straw fedora you picked up at the beginning of the summer. New way to wear all those pieces, isn't it? Look at your accessories and do the same thing. Maybe that chunky necklace wraps three times around your wrist and you have a new bracelet. Those shoulder-grazing chandelier earrings that went with the sundress get a new life with your jeans and blazer look. In fact, all these recombined pieces get a new life and you demonstrate your own style - reimagined.

Now you have a closet of new possibilities and a list of things you'd like to add to them. That's one of the safest, most cost effective ways to shop - with a list. Now your retail therapy is focused and outlined and you're not as apt to stray off course into the wilds of Macy's jacket section. But if you do, you won't feel anywhere near as bad as you would have before you went shopping in your own closet, because now you'll know that that ADORABLE moto-jacket in leather and knit will go with three of the new outfits you put together - it's a good addition to your wardrobe, not an impulse purchase you'll never wear! You'll wear it and be delighted that you created the look and you'll know that you look authentically YOU, which is the essence of style. And that, browseaholics, is the first step in our twelve step program - shopping your own closet and remembering that "'trend' is today but 'style' is forever!"

A Plethora of Pleather

2011-08-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings again, my gorgeous gals and gents!

A "Plethora of Pleather" is synonymous with "a carton of crap" or "a truckload of trash." A fashionista's way of referring to too much "faux" and not enough "fine." This is one of my pet peeves - the wardrobe stocked with five $10 pairs of pants instead of one $50 pair, (your budget may have more zeros but you get my drift!). This is fine when you're a teenager on a serious budget but as one gets to " un certain age" (and preferably before!), it's important to learn the difference between a few inexpensive trendy pieces in a wardrobe of classics - and a wardrobe of cheap. I'll give you a topic - building a better wardrobe. Discuss...

Everyone divvies up their dressing dollars differently but there are a few guidelines. When you first start out and have no clothes, buying five pairs of pants for $10 each seems a better bet than buying one pair for $50. To build a wardrobe that lasts, though, and doesn't need replacing every other season, you need to learn how to "invest" your clothing cash, not just spend it. My first rule? Put your money into the pieces you will wear the most. Instead of spending a fortune on your one holiday outfit and the leftover dollars on your black slacks, try reversing the order. I advise my clients to buy the best they can afford of black pants, a black skirt, crisp white button down shirts, a "go-to" dress and, yes, jeans. These are classic pieces that don't go out of style, don't look dated and are the foundation of your personal look (of course, adapt them to YOU- replace any of those items with one that you would wear more. The goal is to spend the majority of your budget on the pieces you'll wear most, whatever they are). These are also the pieces that look cheap when they are cheap - and here you get what you pay for. Once you have your foundation pieces, you can add less expensive trendy, of-the-moment items or accessories. Same goes for bags and shoes - spend your top dollar on the shoes that you will wear most and the bag that is the most versatile - and then punch up the jam with that funky but inexpensive extra that adds some "pop!" Of course, now that you've bought the more expensive pieces, make sure you take care of them! Check out my last blog post for hints on how- these are an investment now.

"Classic pieces that don't go out of style, don't look dated and are the foundation of your personal look."

How do you adapt this plan for each new season? Simple. Identify the trend or look that is the most "YOU." For example, you know you'll look great in this fall's leggings, tunic sweater and boots. Make that your go-to outfit and put the majority of your clothing budget into the best pieces you can afford. Let's say that gets you two pairs of leggings, one pair of boots and two good sweaters. Great! Use the rest of your budget to add a skirt to make those tunics into party pieces and maybe an inexpensive pair of loafer heels, which is this season's trendy shoe, (I got mine for $39 from shoedazzle.com). Now put the loafer heels and a tunic sweater with your good black pants and create a whole new look, or put one of your crisp white shirts with the leggings and boots for a casual weekend style. Starting to see what I mean?

When you embrace the concept of spending where it stands you in the best stead, you'll be on your way to creating a wardrobe that expresses the authentic YOU. Funk it up with less pricey Ts, sweaters and accessories, and that ups your personal style quotient. You can even send me a picture of your good basics and I'll suggest ways to personalize your look. But you're on your way to a true wardrobe - a way to mix and match the good with the trendy, the classic with the modern and the elegant wit the carefree. Enjoy your looks and remember -"Trend" is today, "style" is forever!

Not your grandmother's look

2011-08-15T08:09:00.000-07:00

Hello again and happy Monday, fabulous fashionistas!

I wanted to talk to you today about something more important than Jimmy Choos, even more crucial (if that's possible!) than Christian Louboutin. We need to discuss the "matchy-matchy" thing that makes even the stylish señorita look dated and can make "women of a certain age," such as moi, look positively Reaganesque. I'm talkin' about matching your look top to bottom, matching your earrings and necklaces, matching your bag to your shoes...anything that "matches" (so 1960's, '70's and '80's) as opposed to blending (so NOW). To begin...

Did you have a grandmother or mom who always matched? I sure did! My female ancestors left me a cache of matching earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings. My mother never left the house with mismatched purse and shoes - and oh, the horror of wearing shoes that weren't the dominant color of your dress! Ladies wore "ensembles" and black and brown were the only neutrals. Now I know/hope that none of you think this way but I do see the 2011 equivalent, which is wearing one look (for example, Western) head to toe, still matching earrings and necklaces and wearing only "neutral" shoes and bag combos. So, we need to address this in the order of it's modern wrongness!

"Do not let magazine editors tell you what you must wear."

The most dated matchy-matchy is the jewelry disaster. Many retail outlets still sell jewelry as sets, perhaps leading you to believe that the look works. Don't fall for it! What do you do? Split them up! Wear the earrings with a different necklace or a scarf. Wear the necklace without it's earrings and find a pair that express you better. Matching is a way of denying individuality, being cookie-cutter and unimaginative, and is the enemy of authentic style, so get used to breaking up those sets. Pair different metals together, such as gold and silver. Mix wood and brass, or colored stones and patterns, like leopard. You get the idea - the only "right" way is the way that makes you feel the most like "YOU!"

Do you ever see a mannequin in a store, like the look and buy the whole outfit? Do you find one store or designer and wear them head to toe? I see many guilty looks right now. Quietly, you turn to your friend and say "what's wrong with that? It's easy." Yes, my chic-adee, it is easy. But it's also dated and screams "this isn't ME, it's the Gap!" Remember that true style is about the authentic YOU and wearing one look, store or designer head to toe is about THEM. If you see a maxidress you love on a mannequin and it fits and flatters, buy it! But maybe you already have great sandals to go with it or remember that Macy's sale has some- experiment. Think of what will be fabulous and flattering to you, not what the store stylists are pushing. Similarly, when you see a sharp piece in a magazine ad, there's no need to buy the entire outfit. Put el fabuloso top with a skirt you already have, or pair it with jeans instead of the skirt it's shown with. Always shop in your own closet first! The goal here is to see IDEAS and translate them into what flatters you - do not let magazine editors tell you what you must wear.

Now we come to the bag/shoes combos which resist all neutrals other than black and brown. Yes, they can be neutral. Yes, they can be worn together. No, you don't need to wear a brown bag with your brown boots. There are lots of neutral colors out now - and the definition of neutral has changed to mean "anything that complements/compliments the wearer and their other pieces." For example, you wear jeans and sweaters a lot in the winter, right? How about forest green shoes instead of brown? Why not pair your black pants and black and grey blouse with red boots? Your black leather jacket might look stunning with a purple bag - and I'll bet you I can find three other pieces in your closet that the same purple bag will just light up. The point here is that your comfort zone is only a guideline - look outside it and you'll find loads of fun things to try. So ditch the match, to heck with the top-to-toe and outlaw the outfit. Experiment with pairing different pieces together to create a modern, pulled together YOU and remember: trend is today- style is forever!

Vacation packing

2011-08-08T07:43:00.001-07:00

Hi again, chic chicks! You know, I wasn't sure what I wanted to write about this week and then my hot hubby said "it's vacation time - and not everyone knows how to pack for a vacay without a steamer trunk!" And I realized he's right - I have many clients who call me in a tizzy, asking me to pack for them so they don't exceed weight limits or do permanent damage to their arms and hands, carrying 18 bags of unnecessary fashion! So I decided I would blog this week about effortlessly stylish travel, and I'm not talking about the Vogue magazine articles where you need one extra suitcase for the ball gowns. I'm talking seriously effortless, "one-suitcase,-pack-in-15-minutes," you know, EASY!

Let's plan a trip to a California beach town (this also works for Mexico, minus the sweaters. For the cooler destinations, plus some longer sleeved tops). You're going for a week, what do you do first? And no, the answer is NOT to run screaming from the room.

Start with bottoms. Your travel outfit knee length jeans shorts are good for both directions with a clean, graphic tee for each direction (alternately, an IZOD or other polo is always appropriately nautical, as are striped T's in red/white or other fun colors). Either way, you need two.
Jewelry is minimal so there's less to forget at the TSA harassment center...I'm sorry, I meant, security checkpoint. Gold or silver hoops are always effortlessly stylish and go nicely with the heaviest shoes you're taking (might as well wear 'em so you don't have to carry 'em!). I would pick the espadrilles or the wedges-easy to walk in. Two days down. Five days left.
Obviously, swimsuits. But, you only need three. Two for fun-in-the-sun and one seriously hot one for hanging out poolside drinking umbrella drinks. One white eyelet dress works as a cover up for all of them, and one pair of flip-flops (I stick with white to match my coverup) does triple duty.
Now you need cas clothes for daytime sightseeing or shopping and chic ensembles for evening. Well, a romper does double duty with your flip-flops during the day and your espadrilles at night.
Two pairs of shorts with coordinating T's knocks down four more afternoons and the fifth one may call for a sundress or light summer skirt that also does double duty as a dinner date dress. Throw in two maxi dresses for those evenings when you want to up the ante and add a pair of gladiator sandals for them. Add one wrap - a pashmina or shrug.

That's three pairs of shoes, three pairs of shorts, two maxi dresses, five T's, three swim suits one romper, one cover up and a partridge in a pear tree!

Accessories, also known as "those which elevate us to the top of the food chain?" Stud earrings for your bathing suits, the hoops for your casual outfits and some tribal long earrings for the evening...the purse you carry on the plane which could be a raffia or straw tote that doubles as a beach bag, and a fun clutch for those maxidresses. Don't forget a straw hat for poolside, beachside or drinkside! And, that's it!

I can easily get this lineup into a carryon but those pesky liquids usually require me to check a bag. Because wrinkles hang out in humidity, I roll my pieces instead of folding them and they pack tighter and smaller that way, leaving plenty of room for souvenirs and gifts for your stylist! You'll sail through your week in effortless style with a very "today" feel and no hassles about not looking "right." Got a specific destination that I didn't cover and you have questions about? Write back or email me at Lindsay@stylesavvyonline.com and I'll be happy to give you the stylish say so. Have fun! You'll look and feel perfect! And remember, "trend" is today, "style" is forever!

Most important article of clothing in the world...jeans!

2011-08-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Hi there, haute hotties and dapper dudes!

Ya know, I was doing some laundry yesterday and I had a load of jeans, both mine and my hot hubby's and I was thinking that no one ever tells you HOW to wash certain things. Oh yeah, the label says "wash in warm water" but it never says "for best results, wash only once every three wearings and don't machine dry unless you love wrinkles." Since I wear jeans about 50% of the time, and I'm guessing you might also, I thought I'd share some jeans jargon with you and help you keep those jeans fresher, better looking and longer lasting, especially since true style comes from good grooming!

Blue jeans were first created by Levi Strauss in 1873 and have become the most common article of clothing in the world, after underwear. That said, who the heck can keep up with the number of brands out there? I can't, and I've studied higher math! The fits, the washes (that's colors, for you less pretentious wearers), and the styles are more numerous than my grandmother's Kleenex. So when you buy a pair, it's usually because you like the way they look and fit, right? And you don't want to replace them when you ruin them because you didn't care for them properly because, face it, in this economy. 'Nuf said, right? So, to start with...

Buy the pair you love. You're going to wear them more than any other item in your closet, so this is a better place to put your money than that party outfit you'll wear twice, isn't it? Guys, this means buy the ones that feel the best and look good, or, the ones she tells you to buy. Gals, buy the ones that make your butt look the best and if you ADORE them, buy two - one to hem for heels and the other for flats. Next, wash them BEFORE you have them altered! Just in case they shrink, you don't need high water jeans you can only wear with flip-flops. Third, and listen carefully. Wash them inside out with a capful of white vinegar in COLD water. This keeps them from fading and sets the dye so that the wash (color, remember?) stays true. I would suggest not drying them in the dryer, but if that's too pioneer like for you, let them dry naturally until they're almost dry and then toss them in the dryer for ten minutes to remove that crunchy feeling. Ever have trouble with the hems or pockets curling up? Two or three times a year, drop 'em at the dry cleaners and let them press them out (you could do it yourself but I don't want to listen to you whine about how much work this is!). Last - and most important -don't wash your jeans every time you wear them. Denim fibers are incredibly strong but they break down with too much washing and detergent, and face it, unless you stain them, they were invented in dark blue for a reason. Wash 'em when you stain them or they smell funky or they're too stretched out or they stand up and beg, but not 'til then. They, and your checking account, will thank you!

Got questions about specialty items? White jeans or neon colors? Write me and ask because they're also a huge part of your wardrobe and keeping them pristine is priceless. This will let you keep your faves as fresh as the day you bought them because "trend is today, style is forever!"

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Savvy hostess with the mostest!

2011-07-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Monday, my designer divas!

Two days ago was my dad's 86th birthday and we had a little party for him at our house. Because it was "only" 104 degrees (I bet you never thought you'd hear THOSE words in the same sentence!) it was kind of an indoor/outdoor party and that got me thinking about being comfortable while still being stylish-not in a Kate Hudson-I-look-adorable-in-this-only-$400-bikini- way, but in a human-I'm-going-to-cook-and-serve-while-trying-not-to-look-like-a-frizzy-frump-way. So of course I started thinking about the many ways to express the authentic "YOU" (the true essence of style) while still being the hostess with the mostest! And I came up with some great ideas!

To start with, I have the palest skin you can have in Las Vegas without being kicked out of the city, so I've always dreaded this season of shorts and dresses. They look adorable on other girls/women, but I've always had the icky kind of pallor that, I'm convinced, makes me look two sizes bigger than I am. That is, until I discovered THE SPRAY TAN. Now I've tried bottle tans, fake bakes and grow-a-tans and never been comfortable with looking like a streaky Cheeto. I'd even tried spray tans and disliked them as fading way too soon until I cracked the code. Here it is, savvy sprayers. EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE, EXFOLIATE and after the tan, full body moisturizer twice a day. Now I can keep enough color on my legs to wear something more summery than full body armor - and THAT makes me feel good in my skin! And for those of you who can't justify a spray tan because of the expense, look for a Groupon and check out other specials. You CAN afford to be golden - and you'll feel great about bearing the bod!!

Want another idea? Ever thought of a swim suit as underwear? Why not? If you're two-piece-trim, a bikini top looks really cute with shorts or a skirt or, if you don't dare to be bare, peek it out of a sun dress or thin T-shirt, think of it as "underwear with panache!" For example, that plain navy blue two piece you've been wearing for four years looks and feels fresh with white shorts or a white denim skirt and any color of espadrille. And a one piece with a long peasant skirt over it works just as well for entertaining at home as it does on the beach in Cabo. Pair it with flat sandals and you look like the essence of chic while you feel cool as a cucumber!

Having a sweaty bad hair day? I bought a cream straw fedora (for $29) that looks cute with almost anything and weighs next to nothing. It's an easy, comfy cure for pool hair, too. I wear it with shorts and a tee, a bathing suit and long skirt, or a sundress...pretty much any ensemble can be jazzed up with a cute hat! You feel great so you look great, which expresses the "YOU-ness" of you and you enjoy your party more 'cause you can relax and be comfortable in your own skin. And isn't that what summer fun really means? So have some stylish summer fun and remember, "trend" is today, "style" is forever!

What is style?

2011-07-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday, fabulous fashionistas! Today I wanted to talk about a subject near and dear to my heart - no, not Pedro Garcia shoes. Well, in a way. Have you ever wondered...

Audrey Hepburn had style

What on earth IS "style?" Why do some people look just right when others just look wrong? It took me a long time to distinguish between terms, and it's not just because the English language has twenty five different words that are supposed to mean style. We talk about fashion, trends, looks, chic, in style, appearance, verve, panache...they all have to do with clothes and the way people wear them. Style is more than that. Take some celebrities we're all familiar with: Nancy Reagan was always chic, but Jackie Kennedy had style. Cher has panache, but Audrey Hepburn had style. Today Rachel Zoe is always trendy but Kate Hudson has style. So what the heck does the word mean?????

Style is intensely personal. If you put two bored, haughty models in the same outfit in the same room, other than giving everybody within breathing distance a complex, they would look the same. Now put that ensemble on Jennifer Aniston, for example, and it would look totally different. Why? Because La Aniston has style. She knows what looks good on her body, with her face and her coloring. She is comfortable with her body and in her own skin. She may not wear the same outfit twice but she always looks like Jennifer, because she uses clothes to enhance HER, instead of being a mannequin for the clothes. Get the difference?

"trends are "today," style is "forever!"

Jennifer Aniston knows what
looks good on her body

Style is about knowing yourself and radiating that knowledge through what you wear and how you present yourself. It is all about authenticity. It means picking clothes and accessories that let the inner "you" shine through. Style expresses today's mood and desire to look and feel great without masking the essential "you." It all boils down to being comfortable enough to present "you" to the world, no matter what you're wearing.

Why do you care what the word means? That's an easy one. It's so that you will understand that fashion and trends exist ONLY TO BE ADAPTED TO YOU. It doesn't matter if gladiator sandals are the hottest thing since pockets on underwear! If you don't look or feel good in them, they will never express your personal style. Wear something that does! If you love the look of flirty floral dresses but on you they look like the white frilly paper on the end of a lamb chop bone, don't buy them. No matter how much you adore a trend, if it doesn't express "you" it's wrong. Adapt a trend to suit you, NEVER force yourself to adapt to a trend. Because, never forget - trends are "today," style is "forever!"

Hello from Style Savvy!

2011-07-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hello, my stylish senoritas (and senors, I'm no sexist). When I wrote last time I really didn't know that my fabulous web guru (now to be known as the FWG) was going to drag me kicking and screaming into the 21st century by having me blog. Now I realize that I really should start at the beginning and tell you who I am, what I'm going to talk about, and why on earth you should read what I say.

My name is Lindsay and I have been a personal stylist since I could spell "credit card." A mother who made all my clothes in Chanel fabrics from Vogue patterns and a bossy streak a mile wide had me telling my little (I think we were about 6-years-old) friends "what not to wear," and advising Saks salesladies on how to dress mannequins. Living in New York and Paris didn't make me any more shy about expressing myself and, beginning with friends' weddings (let's never say I didn't think big from the beginning!) I started on this career that I didn't even know could BE a career. I sewed samples, I assisted window dressers, I worked as a makeup artist and, along the way, told everybody and their cousins what they should be wearing.

I know you don't want the sordid, sexy details - you don't, do you? Do you? So let me just say I now live in Sin City, yes, fabulous Las Vegas, speak style for a living and have an FWG (see definition above, if you've forgotten ). Does that mean you should listen to me? Well, sure it does! I'm good at what I do - and if you don't believe me, just ask me! Seriously! Do you think only celebrities and lucky television makeover recipients deserve style tips? Don't you ever think, "I could look that good if I had the help that she (or he) has?" Now you can, 'cause you do! I'm going to write about style; what it is, how to express it and how to help "you" become "YOU!" And if you want, you can write back and ask any and every question you've ever wanted to ask but knew would never get published in In Style. So get ready for some fun, and remember...trend is today, style is forever!

Let's talk style!

2011-07-04T15:39:00.000-07:00

Well, Style Savvy fans, we are up and running here and will finally be able to talk style!

And we thought it was appropriate to start with the basics of style-taking care of YOURSELF!

How many of us really take good care of ourselves? Do you make time to workout? Great! But do you also take the time to clean your skin thoroughly? File off that two-inch thick callous on your heels or scrub the ashy dead skin off your arms and legs? There are so many demands on our time these days that most of my clients tell me that the details of personal care get lost in the shuffle. Why not take Independence Day as a day to promise yourself more care?

If you don't feel like doing it yourself, let me tout you onto a great Las Vegas institution-Pure Liquid Skin Studio. This is, bar none, our favorite place in Vegas for facials, body treatments and massages- and the REALLY necessary stuff, like bikini waxes. We get all our body services done here by Maria Monteiro and Glad Hillman, and nobody EVER has a bad experience-unless you count having pubic hair ripped out by the roots! Still, if you can't do it yourself, the best person to do it is Maria! Give her a call at (702) 228-1110 and start your summer off "clean," fresh and more about "YOU" than it has been before. You'll thank yourself, feel good about yourself and start getting in touch with the "real" you, which is the essence of style.

And remember, "trend is today, style is forever!"

www.pureliquidskinstudio.com

Style Savvy

2011-05-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

Personal stylists aren't only for the rich and famous -You CAN afford to be stylish! I offer closet makeovers, personal shopping services, special event planning and parties.

Style Savvy is a personalized image, wardrobe and shopping service tailored to helping “you” create a more fabulous “YOU”. Since everyone has different wants, needs and budgets, Style Savvy’s first goal is to determine what you personally, want from a full wardrobe makeover up to a special outfit for one particular occasion.

Style Savvy is also a personal shopping service for those who don’t have the time or desire to shop. By taking exact measurements, listening to what you want and need, and knowing what’s available in all prices ranges, Style Savvy can save you time, effort and money. We can shop FOR you or shop WITH you, providing an objective and impartial point of view.

Style Savvy provides other fun and necessary services as well. We have the best in VIP services, hair and makeup consultants, event planners and photographers to make sure that your life here or your “Vegas Experience” reflect the best “you” that you can be.

Call or email me today to discuss. I can be reached at: 702.596.2815 or email me atlindsay@stylesavvyonline.com