For those of you who have been around me, you undoubtedly know that one of my very favorite things is telling random people how to find something I'm wearing that they like. Yup. Conversations commonly go as follows, "I love your (let's go with dress)."
"Thank you so much. I got it at (let's go with Target). You should go get one. They have several colors and it was only $28."
Read MoreIt is about time. If you are like me, you have a million ideas about how things could be easier if only someone were to invent X. One of my personal favorites is the, "why hasn't someone invented a GPS for my handbag or my keys?" As it turns out, your friend can call your lost cel phone, but she can't dial up your handbag.
Look no further.
Read MoreI am loving all the real world fashion questions that people have been asking me lately. My good friend, Sara, was so kind as to post one on the Facebook page. A challenge! I'm in.
Read MoreI am obsessed with these pants and I don't bike.
Read MoreWelcome to autumn in Seattle. With the recent cold foggy mornings, it's no wonder we hear the call of our favorite yoga pants. If you're a mom of young children, the call might be more like a shout.
Don't give in. You can still be comfortable and look great. One answer: the maxi skirt. It's just as easy to throw on as a pair of sweat pants. Pair it with the same v-neck t-shirt and a cardigan you were planning to wear, add a scarf and you are suddenly chic.
Client after client seems to think that current trends are for someone else. Not true! Of course, it is imperative that your style reflect who you are and not just the latest fad. But, your look can be authentic & current. Often times, you just need one new piece to change everything. Such as:
Read MoreToday I'm surfing the world wide web on the behalf of a client who falls into that small corner of the style world between preppie and edgy. One of my favorite corners, if I do say so myself.
On this venture I stumbled upon the term, "Treggings." I'm sorry what? Yes. Treggings. Thank you, Top Shop for making sure we have ample opportunity to latch onto this one. I thought I'd make sure that you, dear reader, are never in the dark at a dinner party or on a shopping spree when the various iterations of leggings come up.
Read MoreThere are few things as satisfying as a beautifully coordinated look on a man. The right shirt, the perfect tie, a pair of high quality shoes. In Seattle, layers are essential. And, taking pride in your clothes is a big trend for men that will undoubtedly continue to grow.
Personally, I'm currently obsessed with coordinating the following pieces: undershirt, button up collared shirt, tie and a slim fitting over shirt made from a heavier fabric. You can see several examples from a recent client of mine in his gallery. Here's one for now. The grey jersey over shirt pictured is from Relwen.
Read MoreWhen our son was born, we couldn't imagine a time when he'd be drawing or painting. Now, his toddler artistic career is in full swing. We wanted to display his pieces, but found that we were quickly overwhelmed with the sheer number of them. We needed a solution that highlighted the work, but kept everything looking organized and esthetically appealing. (We're like that.) Plus, he really enjoys seeing his work and talking about when he made something.
So, I offer to you not one, but two genius solutions:
Read MoreA huge thanks to the folks at Elegant Affairs for sharing Poplin with their blog readers. As a special thank you, today's blog post answers one of the most common questions brides ask: I have the perfect dress. Now, how do I stay warm on my wedding day?
Answer: The faux fur shrug. Let's face it, few things are more on trend right now than leather, faux fur and animal prints. But you can bring an unexpected, sophisticated AND uber practical touch to your big day by rocking a quality (hand-made in Seattle!) shrug like these one from Foxglove Bridal. This one even has pouches for your hands!
Read MoreYes! I did find this dress at a vintage store. Thanks for asking. I love it, too. Oh, the hem is coming out in back? Oh, dear. Oddly, my office doesn't employ a tailor.
With a long career doing public speaking, there were a number of times when I discovered that my hem had come loose or my button fell off immediately before heading off to present to hundreds of people.
The fall always reminds me of the beginning of the school year and stocking up on supplies. Looking for lunch boxes and bags for kids gets easier all the time. (My first lunchbox was a Bee Gees metal box when I was 5. I was very proud.) This got me thinking of my struggle last Christmas to find the perfect lunch bag for my husband.
He is a web designer and landscape photographer. He's also an incredible cook. What he is not- is someone who should be schlepping one of our reusable grocery bags to the office to hold his lunch.
Recently, my husband and I were at a party for his team at work. One of our friends arrived looking glamorous, as usual, and carrying a Coach clutch which perfectly completed her outfit. Clearly, the bag was not an afterthought. However, when she arrived, she needed to find just the right place to set it down so that should could eat, drink and enjoy the party.
Tragic. The clutch completed the outfit. But, in order to enjoy herself, she had to put it somewhere else.
About 10 years ago, a group of friends and I started volunteering to prepare meals for the kids at YouthCare, a local nonprofit that serves homeless youth. We would shop for the items, cook, then head over to the old site of the Orion Center and serve the food. Despite already having worked in nonprofits, it was a powerful experience. I was struck by two things:
Read MoreThis year, I've been fixated on finding the perfect pair of brown boots. And, I did! Thank you, Nordstrom. They can be worn over the knee or slouched down. Dressed up with a fitted dress or down with leggings. And, they are super comfortable. Thank you, Frye.
Sadly, like many other slip on boots (ack, no zipper!), I couldn't get them on my feet. With high arches, this is a common issue for me. However, I had the salesperson of dreams, Alec at the downtown Seattle store. And, he showed me this week's Genius Trick of the trade: Getting those boots on.
Read MoreIf you've been in a store in the last several months, you've undoubtedly seen leather, vegan leather and vinyl everywhere. Maybe at first you thought, leather pants, no way! But, now, the pants, the jacket, a shirt perhaps are all starting to seem possible.... make that essential, if only you knew how to make it all work. Here's a tip to get you started:
Find a unique signature piece that can also be a staple.
Read MoreEvery year, United Way of King County hosts the Community Resource Exchange (CRE) to offer a one stop shop for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. There have been 9 so far and because of my background in nonprofits, I've been fortunate to participate in 7. Over 1,400 people received services in one day at Seattle Center.
This year, I volunteered to do intake- in other words, I helped people in a very long line identify the services that would be helpful to them and gather data that would be useful to United Way for future funding. In short, I asked hundreds of people whether or not they were homeless, where they slept and heard their stories. It is a powerful day, for sure.
Read MoreThings I love: fashion, design and projects with our 3 year old son. Things I LOVE: when the three collide. Thanks to the genius of Martha Stewart and her crew, a few years I ago, I discovered the magic of dying wood beads to make necklaces. It's an incredible project with kids of all ages as they can participate easily. Addie helped me make the necklace below. His favorite part is using a disposable chop stick to push around the floating beads to make sure they are covered evenly.
Read MoreMy husband and I are the proud uncle and aunt to 11 nieces and nephews. Yes. 11.
11 year old Isabel, is destined to be a fashion executive or run a small country or a large one. The possibilities are endless. She has a gift for fashion, dance and is learning French in school. So, when we heard that her world traveler aunt Jenna was taking her to France for her first trip out of the country, we KNEW exactly what she needed to accompany her on her journey:
Read More