How many times have you visited Pike Place Market and noticed the breathtaking storefront that is Alhambra? I'm guessing quite a few as owners Serpil and Shakir Kaymaz opened this Seattle Boutique 25 years ago.

Inspired by the Alhambra Castle in Spain, the interior is even more gorgeous than you'd expect. Serpil, Shakir and their team clearly put a whole lot of love and attention into selecting the pieces they carry.

It seems only right that you, Dear Reader, have a little incentive to visit Seattle's best kept secret — which has been right in front of you all this time.

3 Reasons to Escape to Alhambra

What do I REALLY Wear to the Pumpkin Patch?

As a personal stylist, sometimes I have clients who want to save their "good stuff" for special occasions. Think of this as your good china staying in the cupboard until Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

That approach works for family heirlooms such as china, but how likely is it that you're going to save several of your work appropriate pieces for your daughter 20 years from now? I'm guessing not super likely.

However, it is, of course, important to take care of your nicer pieces and running around in the mud and rain is probably not your first choice for when to pull them out. And, when playing with the kids at the pumpkin patch or out trick-or-treating, it's vital that you are ready to run, jump or ride in the car. Translation: Comfort trumps all.

But, I assure you that you can still look stylish when celebrating autumn outdoors. Here's how.

Your Outfit for Autumn Outings. Go!

Style TipsmelliciaOctober 25, 2014Clothes for the pumpkin patch, Women's fashionComment

Tall & Beautiful? Here's Where You Should Be Shopping.

We spend a lot of time talking about petite and plus size ladies. But, there's less information out there for the vertically inclined. Until now. Please enjoy a list of some of my favorite retailers that cater to the taller women in the world. If not you, please share with the ones you love. You could get a warm hug from a tall lady.

9 Retailers for Tall Women

(in no particular order)

What Do I Wear With Ankle Boots?

Like the rest of the world, I'm obsessed with ankle boots. (Don't worry. You can still keep your knee high boots, just move them further back in your closet for this brief hiatus.) Your ankle boots are quickly going to become your go-to shoe.

Researching an upcoming Seattle Sunday post, I visited re-soul in Ballard earlier today. One of my very favorite shoe stores, owners Maggie and Lee also launched their own line last spring. The fall collection is to die for. Expect more of that in the post. Until then, my visit with Maggie and Lee got me thinking a lot about the challenges that clients face with ankle boots.

As a personal stylist, I witness client after client getting simultaneously excited and apprehensive about the trend. After all, they are a departure from knee high boots and can feel a little more challenging to pair. Not to worry, Dear Reader. Here are five ways to pair the re-soul Brenda Chelsea boot to get you started. Enjoy!

Five Easy Ways to Wear an Ankle Boot

Seattle Sunday Comes Early: The Triangle of Light & Other Essentials from a Trish McEvoy Expert

Your weekend starts now.

You know how much I love Bluemercury and last week I was lucky enough to get my fix. The U-Village store frequently hosts makeup events.

Translation: Experts from specific makeup or skincare lines visit for a few days to give private appointments and help you learn directly from the gurus. The best part, if you buy at least three items from the store (that includes your skincare products, post shaving gel for the fella in your life or anything else) your session is FREE. Yeah, that's real.

So, back to your weekend...

This weekend is the Trish McEvoy event and I wanted to give you a heads up so you can set your appointments. I sat down with Regional Artist Jason McCarty last week and he shared a seemingly endless stream of tips and tricks directly from "Trish", as the team affectionately refers to McEvoy.

As your very own personal stylist, I HAD to share. Here we go!

5 Things I Learned from Trish McEvoy Artist, Jason McCarty

Seattle SundaymelliciaOctober 17, 2014Comment

If you are uncomfortable, you aren't fashionable

It's true. I do spend a good amount of time trying to motivate my fellow Seattle-ites to up their games. I also have this conversation with myself on those especially wet Winter mornings. But, let's be clear, EVERY stylish person has two elements: a smile and a look that say's, "I'm comfortable in what I'm wearing."

Missing a coat when it is freezing outside? Not fashionable. Wearing crazy high heels when you need to walk across the city? Not attractive. You get the idea. The struggle is that when we try to find that happy medium, we often discover that crazy comfortable clothes are, well, crazy comfortable. And, it's hard to break free.

Might I suggest a few key directives before you get dressed:

Style TipsmelliciaOctober 16, 2014 Comment

It's Like Your Very Own Wishlist

Body Types, Style Tips, Women's fashionmelliciaOctober 12, 2014Comment

Fashion & Function: Essentials for the New Parent.

Our son recently turned four and I'm continuously amazed at the evolution of maternity clothes over the last five years. Lucky for me, I have the opportunity to work with pregnant women and women who've recently gone back to work.

Both of those life stages can be especially challenging for a number of reasons. But, clothes, should not be one of them. So, I thought you (or someone you know), Dear Reader, might enjoy hearing about some new developments for new parents. FYI- That means moms AND dads.

Essentials for the New Parent

Seattle Sunday: Pirkko — Nordic Style in the Heart of Downtown Seattle

It's a funny thing, living in Seattle. If you live or work near Pike Place Market — a plethora of tasty fresh food, flowers and unexpected finds — you may frequent it regularly. If not, you likely only visit when entertaining out-of-towners. We're so neighborhood-centric, we can easily forget that there are very good reasons to venture outside the ten-minute radius around our houses.

So, on this beautiful Sunday, my goal is to inspire you to go beyond your neighborhood, and Pirkko is a worthy destination.

Are You Playing the Comparison Game?

I used to feel guilty every time I purchased a new piece of clothing or pair of shoes. Until, one day my husband said the most amazing words to me. He said, "you shouldn't feel guilty. That's your art form."

Magic.

Some people paint, others sculpt, I create outfits in my mind. That is my art form.

As a personal stylist, having the opportunity to create while helping to teach someone else is incredibly gratifying. Why am I bringing this up?

In casual conversations people often share with me their admiration for a style guru in their lives. Perhaps it's someone at the office who always looks incredible, a friend or family member. Looking fashionable seems effortless to this guru. She (or he) is always put together, stunning, current. I love hearing about this style guru because that person can be a helpful inspiration during the style transformation process. Seeing someone else's success can inspire us to work toward our own goals.

The danger is when you start playing the comparison game. When looking at that style guru again and again makes you doubt your own look, feel insecure about attempting a riskier approach to style, or give up all together, we have a problem. That's when I need to step in. So, here I am, stepping in.

Gut Check: Are You Playing the Comparison Game?

body image, Pick Me Ups, Style TipsmelliciaOctober 3, 2014Personal stylist, Seattle, Women's fashion Comment

Last Chance to Save & Win!

Today's your very last chance to save 10% from TomboyX with code: Poplin.

Seattle Sunday: My Love Affair with Vixen Day Spa & Boutique

The pros of boutique shopping:

1. You get a piece that no one else has.

2. You have an interesting story to tell about your purchase.

3. Ideally, you have great customer service.

The potential cons of boutique shopping:

1. You walk out with one item, if any, because you simply can't afford the prices.

2. You feel judged when you walk in the door.

Enter Vixen Day Spa & Boutique in Magnolia: Your first and likely new favorite boutique (and day spa!). Owner Courean Napolitano opened the doors in 2002. An esthetician by trade, she started the business as a day spa and eventually expanded so that her loyal clientele could shop before a manicure, relaxing all the while.

As a personal stylist, it's common for clients to tell me that they love the idea of boutique shopping, but struggle with execution. Might I suggest Vixen as your introduction to boutiques?

5 Reasons to Visit Vixen

Yes! YOU Can Wear a Jumpsuit.

Poplin: "I've been meaning to write a blog post about how to wear jumpsuits for months. Personally, I'm obsessed with them."

Blog reader Carly via Facebook: "Indeed. The people are clamoring for it. We need to know how to wear them, Mellicia."

Give the people what they want... especially if what they want is what you are dying to tell them. And, I AM dying to tell you how to wear a jumpsuit. After all, they aren't just for the uber cool woman you aspire to be. They are for you. You are that uber cool woman.

How to Find the Perfect Jumpsuit for You.

Seattle Sunday: Northwest Native American Style (Sort of)

Our good friend, photographer, tile setter, designer, maker, painter and the list goes on, Selena Kearney is also a member of the Chehalis Tribe. Being around her for so many years has offered us the opportunity to get a glimpse into Native American culture. (For the record, Selena refers to it as, "Indian.") I digress.

This weekend we attended the Salmon Homecoming on the Waterfront and I found some Native culture mixed in with some crazy deals that I thought you, Dear Reader, might appreciate.

Three Excuses to Enjoy a Pow Wow in the Coming Months

Seattle SundaymelliciaSeptember 22, 2014Native American style, Northwest Native American, Personal Stylist SeattleComment

How do I wear this? Plus Size Edition

Note from the Editor:

Two things: 1. Below you'll find another blog post from Poplin contributor and plus size fashion guru, Jordan Richardson. Like what you read? Jordan's research on Sizeism was recently featured in an article in the Everett Herald? Check it out! Love her and you will, too. 2. I had a vintage inspired lavender coat with a lavender faux fur collar that I rocked with pride for years. Although, it happened to be the only coat I had with me on my initial move to NYC several years ago. I would not recommend opting for that when riding in a sea of black on the subway for the first time in the middle of February. Luckily, a personal stylist always has solution. On that day, mine was H&M.

This will mean something to you, Dear Reader once you reach the end of the post..... Enjoy!

plus size fashion, Style Tips, Women's fashionmelliciaSeptember 18, 2014fur coats, how to wear---, over the knee boots, Plus size retailersComment

Introducing the Scandal Collection for the Limited. For Real.

Is it wrong? Ever since I heard Lena Dunham and Claire Danes gushing about Scandal on the red carpet of the Golden Globes, I decided it was time to check it out.

Whatever your feelings on Scandal, one thing is true, the clothes are worth the viewing. As your very own personal stylist, I feel compelled to make sure you are in the know on this one.

Women's fashionmelliciaSeptember 16, 2014Dress like Kerri Washington, Personal Stylist Seattle, Scandal collection, the LimitedComment

Seattle Sunday: Embrace Your Inner Tomboy (and win!) with TomboyX

If you, Dear Reader, embrace the TomboyX lifestyle, the brand sells itself. Quality pieces with an edge.

But, if you love it, and aren't sure how to wear it- that's where your very own personal stylist comes in. And, now is certainly the perfect time.

TomboyX and Poplin Style Direction are joining forces to help YOU win up to $250 worth of clothing from the brand, a styling session with me at the showroom AND lunch with the team. Make sure you are entered to win by liking TomboyX and Poplin on Facebook as well as signing up for our newsletters. See more details here.

Now, where were we? Oh, yes, styling.

Ways to Wear My 3 Favorite Pieces from TomboyX

What I've Learned From Fashion Shows

Last night I attended Fashion First Seattle- a fashion show to benefit Inspire Youth Project. It was an evening to remember, for sure. Flying solo at the event, I was reminded of all the lessons I've learned from Fashion Shows and I have a feeling that you, Dear Reader, will find them useful. Here we go!

What I've Learned From Fashion Shows

Win $250 Worth of TomboyX Apparel, a Free Styling Session & So Much More

For those of you who are all social media, all the time, you've likely seen my recent posts about visiting the TomboyX showroom in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. I'm addicted.

Just a few reasons why I heart TomboyX and You Will, Too

Seattle Sunday: Channel Your Inner Cool Kid at Ludlow

The good people at Ludlow were kind enough to host a photo shoot for the recent blog post featuring modernist quilter Jonathan Armstrong. I'd walked by the shop in Phinney Ridge a number of times, but it wasn't until that photo shoot that I discovered the wide variety of finds that are hidden inside. Ever since, I've known that I MUST share a taste of Ludlow with you, Dear Reader.

Ludlow: Curiosities For the Cool

UncategorizedmelliciaSeptember 7, 2014accessories, Home goods, Ludlow, Personal stylist, Seattle, Seattle Sunday Comment