Take Your Wardrobe into Spring

While spring is still officially almost a month away, now is the time when I start wishing it were already here. Our winter has lasted all of about a day and a half, and with so many sunny days that just make me want to put on a pretty spring dress with a great new pair of sandals (haven't decided which ones yet) and go have a picnic with the kids or walk around the arboretum and see all the lovely flowers in bloom, it might as well be spring…

But whether it’s officially spring or not, it’s definitely not too early to start thinking about how to bring your wardrobe into spring. While transitioning your wardrobe into spring can seem like a big challenge, it doesn’t have to be. Adding in a few simple elements can work wonders to transform your wardrobe staples into a fresh look for spring. Here are some wonderful additions to begin adding into your wardrobe right now. They’ll have you humming…’it might as well be spring… too!

1/Polka dots – What more fun print can you add to your wardrobe than polka dots? Whether you’re daring enough to opt for a polka dot print dress or want to spice up your look in a more subtle way with a dotted scarf, handbag or shoes, you’ll be spot on for spring! Choose a classic combination of white polka dots on navy for a fresh look or the bold and contemporary combination of khaki and orange to give your look a chic twist. Try adding a polka dot top beneath your business suit, add a dotted scarf to liven up your white tee or pop open a polka dotted umbrella for fun.

2/ Color Block – A fresh way to add in color, color blocking can make a serious statement or add a subtle touch to your style. Try a color blocked dress in neutrals for an unexpected spin or let a pair of color blocked shoes jazz up your classic pieces. A color blocked handbag or necklace are also wonderful ways to bring a shot of style to your wardrobe.

3/ Lace – Flirty, fun and unabashedly feminine, lace is a hot look for spring and can be worn in as many different ways as you can imagine. Lace this spring comes in neutrals as well as bold, bright hues. Try a lovely orange lace dress for a whimsical and ladylike take on the trend. Filigree jewelry or lacy shoes add a little girlish charm to your look. And don’t forget how a simple lace blouse adds a dash of elegance and sophistication to your office wear or even with a pair of jeans.

The trends this season are going to be lots of fun and I want to encourage you to put your own spin on them to make your look all you! Whatever you embrace this season, make sure it’s a look you LOVE and you can’t go wrong!

Want to discover your very own unique style and what trends are right for you? Contact me to set up a Find Your Style Inquiry session and learn how my StyleFinder™ System can help you to dress for who you truly are, in all aspects of your life. Michele@onechicmama.com or 919-828-7529.

Dress to Impress

It's February already, can you believe it? The good news is that the new year is still fresh. What this means is that you want to take this opportunity to put yourself back on your to-do list before the end of the year rolls around. I know you've been meaning to get to it, but putting it off because you got busy or because you don't think you have time are really just road blocks to living life like you mean it.

One of the biggest steps you can take to say "YES" to you is to gain control of your image. As a business woman or just a busy woman, you deserve to leave home looking fabulous each and every day. And it's not just about the clothing you wear. When you feel great about how you look, it can help you to stand out in the best kind of way.

Your outer image is a mirror for what's going on inside. Chances are that if you've let your appearance go, there's an inner struggle going on. Are you suffering from low self-esteem? Are you feeling unworthy? Do you put everyone else first? Well it's time for you to take time out for YOU and to put yourself together in a way that enhances your assets, plays up your natural beauty and helps you to feel like a superstar, no matter what your style is. And I want to help. Join me for my FR*EE call on Tuesday, February 21st at 8pm, Dress to Impress: The 5 Essential Elements of Style All Women MUST Know Before Getting Dressed. I'm going to share with you some of my very best information.

On this call you’ll learn how to:

Instantly update your style with minimal effort

Save Money and no longer will you overspend on clothes that don’t serve yo

Save Time getting dressed will become fast and easy, every day!

Feel Confident knowing you always have something to wear that flatters you and can get dressed quickly

Look Fabulous each and every day, in less time that you might think!

On this special, free one-time call I’m going to share with you…

ü The 5 elements that determine what items work for you

ü How to stop throwing money down the drain on clothing

ü How your face shape dictates the shoes you wear (yes, really!)

ü What one color you should eliminate from your wardrobe

ü How to look your best no matter what your age or your size

ü What items every women must have in her wardrobe

ü The MOST important thing to keep in mind when getting dressed

ü Exactly what to add to your wardrobe by asking yourself one question

ü Details about Michele’s BRAND NEW six-part telecourse on transforming your style from the inside out that she will personally be teaching!

So don't delay, grab your spot for this FR*EE call right now and mark your calendar for an insightful, informative and fun call that you don't want to miss! See you there!

But Orange is Not My Color!

Now that 2012 is in full swing we have a new color of the year to celebrate. Tangerine Tango has been named by Pantone as THE color of the year. While that’s great news for all the autumns and some of the springs out there, that leaves many of us (summers and winters) out in the cold.

Orange is a brilliant color, bursting with energy and excitement! I personally love orange and have a favorite painting in my kitchen in this hue. Yet when it comes to wearing orange, I have to admit that this color really isn’t for me. Love it as I do, it really does nothing for my skintone and just completely washes me out.

I work with many women who are confused when it comes to color trends. After all, if it’s a trend, everyone should be able to wear it, right? WRONG! While there may only be one color of the year, there are multiple colors that are ‘hot’ each season. If the color of the year isn’t for you, please do not EVER feel compelled to wear it – period. Instead, turn your attention to some of the season’s other muses. The colors shown in the Pantone swatch are; Tangerine Tango, Solar Power, Sodalite Blue, Cabaret, Starfish, Margarita, Sweet Lilac, Driftwood, Bellflower and Cockatoo, and offer many wonderful alternatives to orange with just as much punch.

Cabaret, for instance, is a gorgeous shade for those of us with more cool coloring. I recently painted my office in this hue (more to come!) and love the blue undertones of this bold pink. Bellflower and Cockatoo offer gorgeous pops of color that would work well against most skintones and add a jolt of excitement to your basic black, white or other neutral.

If you do love orange and want to wear it, I recommend starting small. This color is rich and intense, and unless you have mocha skin or a killer tan, could wash you out if you’re not careful. Instead, ease it into your wardrobe little by little. An orange handbag. An orange tank layered under your favorite sweater for kick. Orange in your accessories. Then see where this color takes you. If you love it and it works for you, then let it become your signature color! If not, find something else that will be your personal color for the year and build your wardrobe around it.

My best advice when it comes to color and any other trend is to not let fashion dictate what you wear. Don’t ever wear something because you feel you ‘should’ but instead wear it because you love it! Learning to wear color with confidence can be easy and fun if you let it. The key is to trust yourself. Know what works for you and wear what makes you feel not just good, but great! Because when you feel great you can’t go wrong!

Want to discover your very own unique style and what colors look best on you? Contact me to set up a Find Your Style Inquiry session and learn how my StyleFinder™ System can help you to dress for who you truly are, in all aspects of your life. Michele@onechicmama.com or 919-828-7529.