Remember that glorious contest to ring in the New Year with a Neu Year Calendar? I do. Why? Because I gave one away and because I happen to have one in my office and use it daily. I also remember it because it inspired some other readers to buy their own. (Plus, Jesse from NeuYear sent this incredible video over about how to remove permanent marker from a dry erase board. The guy is awesome. )
Read MoreI love this day already. I was driving through Phinney Ridge when I saw a mom and her toddler in full Seahawks gear waiting for the bus. The bus stops have been jam packed all morning and it was pretty clear they weren't going to make the parade. So, I thought, why not take them there? As it turns out, Annie and her son, Abe, were up for it and off we went. After all, I had a carseat, which is some sort of universal sign that I'm not a serial killer and that I can also safely transport your toddler.
In the end, they are happy, I am happy and our city overall is bursting with joy, which is unusual and incredible. Plus, later today I get to try on a couple of Valentino dresses from the Citizen Rosebud. I'm living the dream.
Because I have so many things I'm excited to tell you about, I thought today's post could focus on my current obsessions. There are many. Here we go!
Read MoreEvery Sunday I'm highlighting a local business, label or street style. Because, well, let's face it, the greater Seattle area is overflowing with incredible people doing equally incredible things. One post just isn't enough.
Two weeks ago, I featured Cleanscapes, a local store filled with sustainable fashionable items predominantly made in the Northwest. Every person who signed up to receive Poplin emails was entered into a drawing to win a Paper thinks orange leather tote bag provided by Cleanscapes.
Read MoreI hope you are enjoying Seattle Sundays on the blog. Every Sunday I highlight local style including but not limited to boutiques, labels and street style. Drawings for local products will be a regular occurrence, so if you haven't already, please sign up to receive the Poplin e-newsletter here.
Thanks very much to everyone who already joined the email list. Every person who is on the Poplin email list is entered into every Poplin drawing, everyone every time.
Last Sunday's blog post featured the Cleanscapes store in Issaquah. Thanks to Cleanscapes for providing one lucky winner with the handbag shown above. And our winner is....
Read MoreWhether you are a die hard fan or just along for the ride, you are undoubtedly going to participate in Sunday's game in one way or another. I'm posting this a little early to help you plan your ensemble for the big game.
Fashionistas may be excited to learn that members of the Nordstrom family were the first majority owners of the Seahawks, with Lloyd W. Nordstrom signing the franchise agreement in December, 1974. If you've been to a Nordstrom store lately you've likely seen the "12" decals on the doors. It all comes together.
Nearly 40 years later, I thought we could root for the home team from the personal stylist perspective with:
My 12 favorite Seattle Seahawk inspired shoes.
Read MoreYesterday was a thinking day. I spent the morning listening to a few dark stories on NPR. Then, I devoted some time to friendly acquaintances who've recently experienced tragedy. Yes, thinking for sure.
It's a funny thing, being a personal stylist. At first glance it can seem shallow and unnecessary. But, it truly is a quest to help people take the time to value themselves. I get to help them feel confident that they are expressing who they really are, so that they can unleash their power to do great things. It is, in fact, pretty darn rewarding.
This thinking day evolved into two questions: Do you value yourself? And can anybody else tell whether or not you do?
Read MoreI'm especially enthusiastic about all of the people signing up on the Poplin email list in the hopes that they might win this orange leather tote bag- and receive some useful information from me in the future, of course. If you want to see me get REALLY excited, you'll see me creating an outfit inspired by said handbag. Not sure what you'd wear with this baby? Here are a few suggestions, depending on your personal style.
For the woman who is:
Read MoreTwo caveats before we begin:
- Yes, I know Issaquah is not Seattle. But, it is in the Seattle metropolitan area and this is worth the drive. Trust me.
- If you are someone who loves the idea of sustainable fashion, but isn't too keen on wearing hemp or sandals made from bike tires, you will still love this store. So, please, read on.
Before our son learned to speak, he had already developed a love of the recycling truck. He can hear it coming and races to the window to watch the entire process unfold. So, when a client offered to give us a tour of the truck yard and visit the Cleanscapes store filled with recycled items, I jumped on the opportunity. Little did I know that the store was not just another boutique that stocked reusable shopping bags. Instead it is a well-curated showroom with a goal of Zero Waste products (meaning products and packaging are made from recycled goods that can be recycled or composted again) that are predominantly sourced in the Northwest. Equally important, they are stylish. Yup. Stylish and good for the planet. Love.
For you, Dear Reader, I'm offering up four reasons to visit Cleanscapes in February.
Read MoreI had a conversation with one of my favorite people yesterday and it, like so many conversations we've had before, it centered around her holiday cocktail dress. My friend purchased this dress for a wedding late last fall and had trouble styling it to her satisfaction. Last night, she mentioned that she was planning to wear it again for a nonprofit fundraiser, but still didn't feel like she had the proper accessories... or something.
We've all been there. We buy a dress we love with the hopes that the styling will come together. Sadly, we discover we aren't sure what shoes to wear or jewelry. And, forget about staying warm at the party.
So, as a tribute to all of us who've stared at the dress we love, but never wear, in our closet, here are three ways to rock that holiday cocktail dress before next Christmas.
Read MoreWhen I was 12, I desperately wanted a pair of Guess jeans. So, I started saving up until I reached the $50 needed for the pair I wanted- black pegged Guess jeans. Everyone else had blue so I was especially keen on the black. Anyway, because I didn't receive allowance it seemed like it took a lifetime to earn the money, although it was likely a few months.
In the end, I rode my bike the long way to Macy's (sadly fashion sense does not give you a sense of direction) with my stash of cash to buy just the right pair. When I arrived, I discovered that I couldn't bring myself to spend my entire savings on one pair of jeans. That was the day I discovered that you can express yourself without spending your life savings- which led to years of vintage clothing stores, colored tights and my first "major" fashion purchase, green three hole Dr. Martens.
Last week I met with a new client who took me back to my roots- fabulous fashion on a budget. Everybody loves a deal, here are a few tips to get you there:
Read MoreRecently, I had the pleasure of attending the launch party for the brand-new Seattle location of Suitsupply, the made-to-measure menswear store that is going to give your local Nordstrom some serious competition. Menswear is all about construction and fit. Because the trends don't move as quickly as those for women, it's especially important for men to invest in pieces that will communicate their personal style and last for several seasons. Quality, my friends. Quality.
Read MoreHere's something I've noticed- a large percentage of women (and lots of men, too!) truly love the experience of a mani/pedi. The relaxation, the final result. You name it, they love it. What is especially interesting to me is that nail care can be a very effective and low barrier way for someone to communicate his/her personal style. You might notice someone rocking fleece and a pair of jeans with manicured nails, for instance.
The real battle is finding the time (I'm talking to you parents and/or workaholics!) and choosing the right color. As a redhead (thank you hairdresser and the joys of color), my bold nail color is orange-red. But, when that isn't calling to me, I am a big fan of neutrals. Wah wah. Right? Nope! Not, "I don't notice your color because it is so neutral." Instead, "holy cow. That nail color is awesome," despite being a neutral.
And, as a special treat, I'm going to show you the brands I used… which are not at all fancy. It looks like a trip to the drugstore is in order.
As we are in the month of financial cutbacks, here's an inexpensive way to up your game: Make an impact with neutrals.
Read MoreHello, Dear Reader. I've been surrounded by love and I hope you have, too. The average person is probably still recovering from the holidays and questioning his or her New Year's Resolutions. In contrast, I'm all about the countdown to Valentine's Day. And, if you have been considering a style update, perhaps you are, too.
I've mentioned before how frequently partners purchase my stylist services for their loved ones (husbands, wives, friends, parents). It's pretty great for me because not only do I get the joy of helping someone discover his/her style identity, I also get to help execute a surprise. You should know, surprises are at the top of my favorite things list.
So, might I suggest that it is officially time to start dropping hints to your loved ones (or to yourself!) that you deserve a style update. (I'm leading by example by dropping some mad hints to you right now.) They say it takes the average person 3 to 7 times of hearing something before they internalize it. In this case, more is more.
Read MoreA Fashionable and flattering coat.
After all, when you are out and about, your coat and shoes may be the only thing people see. Entering a room filled with strangers? If it's winter in Seattle, you are wearing your coat. So, use it to make the very best first impression. Here are a few of my favorites right now:
Read MoreYou may have seen my Tweet about starting to style for the young adults at YouthCare who have recently graduated from the Barista Training Program. I'm crazy excited about this opportunity to help homeless and formerly homeless teens look their best as they enter into their careers.
As I discussed the logistics with the staff, I was reminded that there may be individuals who feel self conscious about their bodies because they are survivors of abuse. Understood. In fact, 1 out of 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys in the US are sexually abused and youth on the street report an even higher rate. I realize this is dark for a style blog, but I'm going somewhere, I swear.
Read MoreI strongly believe that your clothes should help you achieve your goals, not inhibit you from reaching them.
That means that if your heel is too high and you opt out of a great adventure simply because your feet are killing you, your clothes aren't doing you any favors. Conversely, if you are convinced that comfort is your paramount goal, opportunities may pass you by.
As a fan of empirical evidence, here are a few examples from my own life to help seal the deal:
Read MoreRemember when skinny jeans were just entering the lexicon? Not because we didn't understand the term, "skinny jeans," but more likely that men and women were a little concerned that their bodies weren't going to play nicely with them.
And now? Now, how many other cuts of pants are in your closet? Probably not many. But, as we all know, skinny pants aren't flattering for everyone. Of course, we try a few tricks to make them work. After all, feeling current feels good.
Whether you have a sea of skinny pants or you finally gave in and just have a few, now is the time to look beyond your skinnies. New silhouettes are here.
Read MoreA HUGE thanks to all of you who:
1. Signed up to receive emails from Poplin. FYI- Emails are limited to event invitations and newsletters, so if you haven't, you can still sign up!
2. Commented on our post on Facebook. Words matter.
3. Liked Poplin Style Direction on Facebook.
Each of you were entered into our drawing to win a crazy wonderful calendar from Neu Year. Check it out:
Read MoreThings I love: organization and good design. I spend most of the time on the blog focusing on clothing, but style is also expressed through the items with which we surround ourselves. So, when we needed a new calendar for our office, it had to be hip with lots of room to actually document daily activities and be VERY large.
To my surprise this was incredibly difficult to find. Enter: NeuYear.
Read MoreHappy New Year's Eve! (And thanks to everyone for yesterday's very kind birthday wishes.) This is the time of year when we all start to recover from our gluttony and decide this is it. This is the year I…..
Usually, resolutions have something to do with weight, money or the unwavering determination to do something for ourselves. This year, might I suggest a New Year's Resolution strategy that has the potential to hit all three categories?
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