What to Wear Every Day

Do you have a go-to outfit?  You know, that fool-proof, fail-safe look that you resort to for more occasions than you’d like to admit?  While many women do have their tried and true, often what happens is that it starts out looking great, then becomes faded, worn and – yikes! – begins to look frumpy.  Yet knowing how to recreate this perfect combination of chic, casual and comfortable can leave you feeling more than a little anxious.  Have I hit a nerve?

If you’re like most women, putting together an outfit is not something you look forward to.  In fact, it may very well strike fear in the hearts of many as you visually appraise the contents of your closet. Then when you open the door you stand there and stare.  Blankly.  With little or no inspiration.  And grab, once again, your go-to outfit.  Chances are at least one item is black.  And chances are, when it comes right down to it, you don’t really love it and it’s not doing anything to bring out your best. 

But where to even start?  Let’s start with the basics.  Let me introduce you to ‘Upscale Casual’, which just happens to be the perfect blend of casual yet chic and is appropriate for many occasions; business casual offices, dropping the kids off at school, volunteering, grocery shopping, client meetings, PTA, book club, dinner with friends, networking events and so many more. 

Upscale Casual is what I end up recommending to so many of my clients for work, to wear when they want to look pulled together but low-key on the weekends and for any other time they don’t need to be dressed up but want to look great.  While it may seem tricky, the effect of Upscale Casual is what I like to call ‘greater than the sum of its parts’.  That is, the overall look is far more polished and chic than the pieces themselves.  Here’s how to get it:

1/ Start with the Basics – You can start with simple items – jeans and a t, a nice pair of trousers and a tank, even a simple dress.  The better quality and fit, the better.  Buying the best you can afford [core items] will make something simple into something special.  Simple pants and a top are great to wear around the house, the studio or to work, then when you want to go out into the real world, simply throw on your add ons.

2/ The Third Layer – There’s something about a jacket or cardigan, aka the ‘third layer’, that just gives your look a whole new edge and makes you feel more polished and pulled together.  Your third layer could be a great trench, a blazer, a cardigan or other topper.  Choose one that is a great color for you, that fits you to a t without adding bulk and really brings your look together.

3/ Shoe In – Shoes for this look can be as simple as you like.  Stick with flats or low wedges for best effect and ease of movement.  When you’re busy and have a lot to accomplish, wearing high heels or wedges can actually hinder your progress.

4/ Accessories Count – This is where you get to punctuate your look and create your signature style.  When adding in accessories, forget your tried and true’s and opt for something that will add punch to your outfit.  Something that speaks to you and your personal style will pull everything together in a chic way.

5/ Go For the Flow – While I am not a fan of wearing things that are matchy-matchy, you do want your look to flow together.  That is, everything should ‘relate’ to each other – clothing and jewelry alike – to create harmony.  This will ensure that you’re not overdressing or being overpowered by your look.  When it just flows effortlessly, it’s just right!

See what Upscale Casual outfits you can create in your closet.  Try mixing and matching things in new ways, taking a jacket out of context and pairing it with jeans, and simply pairing things in a way that is chic, yet still has a casual vibe.  This should open up a whole new world of possibilities while making it easy to know what to wear everyday – and giving you many options to choose from!

Want to learn how to create Upscale Casual outfits in your wardrobe?  Book a Closet Clarity session with Michele and see how many ‘new’ outfits you can create using what you already own.

Email Michele@OneChicMama.com for details!

Do You Know How Beautiful You Are?

I work with many women day in and day out, and have plenty of conversations with women about image, style and how they feel about themselves.  One thing seems to be a theme, over and over.  Women love to talk about their flaws.  You love to discuss how ‘big’ your thighs or your butt are; how your smile is crooked or your midsection has expanded beyond recognition.  And one thing is for sure – this is a glass half-full way of looking at things that is sure to keep you small and keep you feeling as if you’ll never be beautiful.

Want to know a secret?  While your opinion is important, it’s not your body you need to change but your mindset.  YES!  Simply shifting how you think about yourself can truly transform how you feel about yourself.  Your feelings lead you to positive actions that can help you to look great.  And looking great leads to feeling confident, sexy and unstoppable! 

Thoughts = Feelings = Actions = Results

Shifting your self-image can be as simple as shifting your focus.  When you focus on what’s lacking, compare yourself to others or what you perceive to be your ‘flaws’, your energy is lower, your mindset is negative and you are unable to see your true beauty.  Yet changing your perspective to see what is amazing, great and fabulous about you can help you to feel and look beautiful! 

Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, it’s your own definition of beauty that either limits you – or liberates you!  When you come from a place of abundance and embrace yourself, warts and all, you can begin to see the beauty that you already possess.  Let’s redefine beauty so that you can begin to see it for yourself.

You may think I’m crazy, but keep reading…

See, I speak from experience.  When I was growing up I focused only on what was ‘wrong’ with me.  I wasn’t as pretty as the supermodels in my Teen magazine and I sure as heck wasn’t as thin.  I spent hours in front of the mirror, cursing my curves and berating my body.  It didn’t do a whole lot except make me focus on the negative and keep me small.  I said negative things to myself over and over and over, which kept it top of mind, which kept me focused on it, which depressed me and made me feel ashamed.  I’ve come a long way and I want that for you, too! 

Beauty isn’t something external or superficial; beauty begins within.  Loving and accepting yourself in your own skin, no matter what your size, weight, age, etc. will free you from your own limiting beliefs that you aren’t good enough and liberate you to see the unique beauty you already possess.

One of the keys to this is gratitude.  Being grateful for what you have – a healthy body, a strong spirit, a well-proportioned shape, eyes that can take in the beauty around you, gorgeous hair, etc. – is the best place to start.  When you change your attitude from one of scarcity (I’m not good enough…) to one of abundance (I am grateful…) it will help you to see how much you truly do have.  This leads you to feeling as if you are enough, which leads to self-acceptance and love.  Being at peace with yourself is where true, authentic beauty starts.

Loving yourself on the inside makes it so much easier to love yourself on the outside and present yourself in a way that truly lets you shine!  No more over compensating with expensive name brands or pretending to be something that you’re not!  This is your time to play up what’s great about you.  Wear your best colors (eye, hair) to personalize your look and draw focus to your beautiful features.  Wear clothing that’s cut for your body type, no matter what it is.  Wear things that make your spirit soar and your heart sing.  Dress in a way that makes you feel more YOU! 

This allows you to radiate your beauty from the inside out, showing the world that you believe you’re beautiful.  And the cool thing is that whatever your attitude is about yourself is what others adopt.  So when you believe, deep down in your heart of hearts, that you are beautiful in your own way, others will see it too!  They’ll sense your peace with yourself and your happiness, and they’ll want that too! 

So start today.  Make a gratitude list of all your personal assets and embrace how truly blessed you are.  First love yourself, then adorn yourself accordingly.  And see how this can transform not only your self-image, but your whole life! 

Wishing you tons of self-love!

Xo

Need help embracing your beauty and dressing to play up your assets?  Let’s schedule a “Find Your Style” inquiry session today!  Email me at Michele@onechicmama.com and see what’s possible for you!

Your Face is Like a Work of Art; It Deserves a Great Frame

Bono. Anna Wintour.  Tina Fey. Jackie O.  What do these well-known folks have in common?  They are all known for the glasses they wear - whether sunglasses or prescription - and they have used glasses to enhance their own personal style.

Aside from changing your hairstyle or your clothing changing your glasses is one of the most image-altering things you can do.  After all, when you first meet someone you make eye-contact with them, and when you do, you certainly notice their eye wear. When it's in sync with your style, enhances your assets and punctuates your look, the effect is simply magical.  However when it doesn't flatter your face shape, the styling works against you or it sends the wrong message it can be off-putting and actually create a barrier between you and others.

Whether you're selecting a pair of sunnies to add to your collection or a pair of specs that you'll wear day in and day out, ensuring that you're getting the best pair for you can mean the difference between looking great and boosting your credibility, and feeling self-conscious and creating a distraction for others.  Choose wisely and you'll never regret it!

With so many styles, shapes and colors of glasses - not to mention price points - it can be a challenge to know what styles suit you best.  I want to equip you with the tools to know just what makes a pair of glasses right for you!

1/ Overall style - Because glasses create such an impact it I can't stress how important it is to wear glasses that punctuate your style.  If you're creative yet you opt for boring shades, you lose a valuable opportunity to show the world your true colors!  Pinpoint what your style is and adorn yourself accordingly.  If classic is your look, look to classic icons such as Jackie O for cues.  If you're more expressive, want to show off your girly side or have a wild streak, let your glasses tell the world who you are!  Wearing something that really resonates with your personal style will help you to feel like your glasses are an extension of you!

2/ Shape - Round?  Oval?  Rectangular? Oversized?  With so many shapes and sizes it can be difficult to know exactly what to choose.  Take note of your face shape and repeat the lines in your glasses.  Have a sharply angled jawline?  Choose glasses that mimic the angles.  Have a full, rounded face?  Select a round frame that creates balance and harmony.  Knowing how to enhance your face shape and create balance is key to choosing the correct shape for you!

3/ Color - Wearing glasses that have a hint of color is a great way to play up your eyes.  If you aren't daring enough to go for an overall bold hue, try a subtle metallic frame in your eye enhancer or a pair of glasses with rims lined in your eye intensifier to make your eyes really pop!  Ensure the color is one that you truly love and works for you.

4/ Placement - Now that you've chosen a frame based on your coloring, your face shape and your style, you must ensure that the placement is right for your face.  This means you want the pupils of your eyes to be dead-center of each frame, AND you want to ensure that the frame is wide enough to fit your head and the arm is long enough to reach behind your ear.  I have seen way too many people wearing glasses that aren't a great fit and I have to say, the effect can be strange and distracting. like something's just not quite right, but you can't put your finger on it.

5/ The Fab Factor - How fabulous do your glasses make you feel?  I want you to find a pair you LOVE, whether you'll wear them every day or once in a blue moon.  Wearing glasses that you don't love and don't flatter you is a great way to ensure you'll never wear them.  And if you have to, you'll feel so depressed that you won't want to go out in public.  So really, what good are they?

Choose your glasses wisely and you'll be sure to get your money's worth every time you wear them!  And who knows, you just may get mistaken for a celebrity!

Want to learn how to choose your best glasses shape?  Join me tonight, August 15, 2012 from 6 - 8pm in Raleigh at the Spectacle (the Lassiter, N. Hills www.specsnh.com) for complimentary sushi, champagne and a glasses fitting and find the style that's just right for you!  

Have You Lowered Your Expectations?

Years ago I heard that to avoid being disappointed that I should not have expectations.  While at a certain level this makes sense, there is a big part of me that screams out in rebellion.  After all, if I don’t have expectations, how will I reach my goals?  How will I know when I’m where I want to be?  How will I know if things are meeting my standards? 

I think many people have come to lower their expectations so as, well, not to expect too much.  This happens out of politeness, it happens out of convenience but mostly, it happens out of fear.  After all, if we have expectations and they aren’t met, all we’re left with is one big disappointment.  So lowering your expectations kinda seems like you can have your cake and eat it too, doesn’t it? 

Yet, when it comes to your image, this isn’t exactly the truth.  Lowering your expectations when it comes to your style and how you want to present yourself may lead to less disappointment, but it can also lead to a low self-worth, holding yourself small and encouraging everyone else around you to hold yourself small as well.

You were born to shine.  Not just twinkle, but SHINE. Out loud.  In the spotlight. 

I know what you’re thinking.  Not me.  I don’t want any attention.  I just want to blend in.  Well, let me tell you that I used to be in your shoes…and that you’re dead wrong.

Say what?  You heard me.  I can’t let you go on like this.  Lowering your expectations.  Chipping away at your self-image and your self-esteem.  Looking like something that, years ago would have made you cringe, but now you just chalk up to being ‘too busy’ to mess with or too tired to care about.

Yeah.  Let’ s see where that gets you.

Think of a beautiful rose.  It bursts into full bloom without holding back.  It gives it everything it’s got and then some, the way it was created to be.  You weren’t created to hide, but to blossom into your full beauty and potential.  I want to help you do just that!

Why am I calling you out?  Because I care.  Because I love you.  And because I have been there and done that and it is SO not where you belong. 

I’ll say it again.  You were born to shine.  You were born to be not mediocre, or okay, or nice.  You were born to be GORGEOUS!  BEAUTIFUL!  FABULOUS! With no apologies.  Yes, you. 

Why?  Because when you hold yourself small everyone around you holds themselves small too.  Out of politeness.  Especially in the south.  Because we don’t want to out-do each other, but mostly because we feel that it’s really, truly wrong to be in the spotlight, or to even want to be.

But I want to tell it like it is.  Until you can love yourself enough to step into the spotlight, you are holding yourself and everyone around you small too.   

When you can embrace your beautiful self, warts and all, and love every inch of you and present yourself in a way that enhances your beauty, you make God proud.  He didn’t create you to be mediocre and put yourself at the bottom of your list.  When you don’t take care of you, who will? 

So SHINE, dammit!  (I don’t curse often, so please pardon my French)  Raise your expectations.  Hold yourself accountable and don’t let yourself go.  It doesn’t take a king’s ransome or all the time in the world to look good, or even your best.  I’m not talking red-carpet ready, but a realistic version of yourself that’s more than what you’ve been settling for. 

Show yourself off.  Embrace what’s great about you.  Wear your best colors.  Wear what makes you feel like standing up for what you believe in and making a difference in the world.  Wear what makes your heart sing.  When you do, others will too!  Your behavior gives others permission to step into their greatness and their potential.  And taking one small step towards looking and feel great brings you one step closer to YOU!

Need help to discover how beautiful you truly are?  Contact me at michele@Onechicmama.com to set up a Find Your Style Inquiry session and learn how you can blossom into who you were meant to be.  

It's My Birthday and I Have a Gift for You!

One Chic Mama is proud to celebrate 4 years of business. It’s hard to believe that just a mere 4 years ago I was making my foray into image consulting and I had no idea what was in store for me.  It’s been an amazing journey and instead of merely stepping into a new phase of my career, something much bigger happened – I stepped into my life purpose! 

Doing what I do now – empowering and educating women to be their best – is truly a culmination of my decade as a fashion designer, mixed with my personal journey to self-confidence and topped with a true passion for style.  Now I get to work with clients that I love doing work that is meaningful.  Making a difference for women across the globe has been both an honor and a blessing and I wake up every day simply grateful for the opportunity – and for you!

It warms my heart when clients tell me how much I helped them, how much money I saved them and how good they now feel great about themselves.  Over the weekend I met with a friend who is also a client for a glass of wine and she casually exclaimed that ‘working with me was the best thing she’s ever done for herself”.  She went on to say that because she worked with me and discovered her best colors, she realized that she was coloring her hair the WRONG color.  AND that switching to the right color had saved her at least $1000 since last summer.  WOW!  Can you believe that?  She’s now dressing for her body type and feeling fabulous – especially since she’s been inspired to lose more than 20 pounds!

It got me wondering how I can make a difference for so many more women.  I have so many conversations with women about how they want to make a change but they feel they can’t afford it and it simply breaks my heart.   

So…I have created a few special offerings in honor of our 4^th birthday to help you take your style to new heights while sticking to our budget. 

For the month of August I am extending to you not one but two special offerings.  This is the first time I’ve created an offer like this and it’s only good for a limited time. 

Birthday treat #1

Color You Beautiful!

You, yes you are gorgeous!  If you can’t see it then I want to help you make a change.  This simple package uncovers a few major pieces to the puzzle to help you look your best and is a great introductory package to start you on your journey. 

It includes:

1/ Personal color analysis with an in-depth session to help you learn about your personal best colors. Did you know the colors on your body determine your best ‘black’?  Do you know what your best ‘romantic color’ is?  Did you know that the veins in your skin give you clues to understanding what to wear?  Let me help you to see how wearing color can take your look to new heights.

2/ Personal wardrobe plan to help you determine what to add to your wardrobe now to get maximum benefit.

3/ Personal Image Assessment with a ten-point checklist to help you make tweaks to your image from head to toe so you can put your best foot forward.

BONUS: e-book, How to Build a Wardrobe – This comprehensive guide gives you a step by step process to help you understand what elements are needed to create your perfect wardrobe and cultivate your personal style. 

This package is available for clients locally and virtually.  Local clients will meet in my studio, virtual clients will meet via Skype. 

Your investment: Just $297 – a fraction of the cost of my regular packages. Book HERE.

Birthday Treat #2

Seasonal Uplevel and Update

This package is geared towards those of you who have already worked with me and know the fundamentals yet want to keep your look on-trend and on target!  Whether you’re trendy or not, keeping up with the season’s best trends is a wonderful way to keep your look current and avoid falling into a rut.  Find out what’s hot – and what’s right for you, right now!

This package includes:

1/ Seasonal e-book, What to Wear Fall/Winter 2012-2013 (Available August 31)

2/ 1-45 minute Skype session to discuss your wardrobe strategy and what updates are right for you.

3/ Personal image report with suggestions on styles, colors and looks to work into your wardrobe.

This package is available for clients locally and virtually. 

Your investment is just $147.  Book HERE.

Bonus: Purchase either (or both!) birthday package before August 10^th and receive a copy of my e-book, Beyond the Little Black Dress, totally free – as my gift to you for saying “YES” to you!!

***Super Style BONUS Add a 2-hour personal shopping trip to either package for just $350 (save $150 off regular price)  Book HERE.

AND because I like to reward clients for taking massive action in bringing out their best, I want to give the first 10 women who book these specials with me a bonus 30-minute Skype consultation, where you can ask me advice on anything (style-related, of course), have me critique your favorite outfit or discuss how you can take your look to the next level.

So don’t delay!  I’m here for you to help make a difference in not only your style, but your LIFE! Because when you look great, you feel great and you touch those around you in ways you’ll never even know.

To your amazingly beautiful and unique style!

Xoxo

Mary Michele