Say, "Hello!" to New Packages and Extra Love

Who could have ever imagined that this business would be so empowering, creative, gratifying AND give me the opportunity to interact with such incredible women? Okay, well, I imagined that. But, it actually came together! Woot!

As a personal stylist for women, I'm continually working to improve my process for my clients. I solicit feedback and experiment. If you subscribe to the Poplin newsletter, you know all about my experimentation. Right now, you're receiving my favorite things in your inbox every Friday. I stumble upon loads of pieces I adore that just aren't right for the client I'm working with at the time. But, I hate to keep them to myself. This new approach allows me to share those finds with you, Dear Reader, and gives me the unending joy of telling someone about a glorious piece. This makes me very happy.

Something else that makes me happy is ensuring the Poplin packages are the absolute best they can be. This leads us to today's announcement: new and improved packages.

Brand Spanking New Poplin Package Upgrades

UncategorizedmelliciaJuly 28, 2017Comment

Guest Post: Best Selling Author Julie Pierce's New Program to Attract the Love of Your Dreams

I've mentioned this before, but I'm continually astonished by the incredible women I've met thanks to Poplin. In fact, I'm hosting a private client event soon to get them all together because let's face it: amazing women simply must be connected to one another. For those of you who are part of the larger Poplin community via social media and the blog, thank YOU. It's important to me that you also have access to some of these women who inspire me to dive into new things everyday. This is why I'm sharing a guest post from international best selling author (and Poplin client) Julie Pierce. Julie is intuitive, direct, creative and savvy. In short, she's all the things. Please enjoy and let me know what you think about hearing from clients.

No brainer:

Feel good = Love life

How you dress impacts how you feel about yourself, which permeates how you show up and how you are perceived. This is also true

UncategorizedmelliciaJuly 26, 2017Comment

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Without Compromising Your Style.

As a personal stylist for women in Seattle, I hear a lot from women who love shopping but feel guilty about the impact on the earth. Not to worry. There are ways to supplement your wardrobe without sacrificing our environment.

1. Sustainable Textiles Don't Have To Mean Hippy Style.

Below are a few retailers working to decrease the impact on the earth while still keeping you looking your best.

UncategorizedmelliciaJuly 13, 2017Comment

What I've Learned from Styling Homeless Youth.

Below is a blog post from 2014. Several media outlets are sharing stories about efforts to end homelessness throughout the day as part of the Homeless in Seattle Project. The goal is to encourage policy makers to see this issue as a top priority. There's so much good work happening in this area and yet so much more is needed. Share these stories, donate to organizations doing this work, reach out to your electeds about this issue- share the articles with them. If nothing else, when you are out and about today,

Must Know Now.

Man, my life is filled with hot tips. As a personal stylist for women, I'm fortunate to learn about all sorts of innovative, surprising and delightful things. Thanks very much to those of you who send info my way and to all of you for listening when I offer up ideas. My list of cool things is getting too long to manage, so I'm going to share it with you here and recycle the piece of paper. Let's hear it for efficiency.

Super Cool Things That are Top of Mind Right Now.

Crazy deals from my favorite retailers right now

UncategorizedmelliciaJune 23, 2017Comment

Styling Up Your FREE Geneva Dress from Universal Standard

Let's begin with the reason I'm such an evangelist for Universal Standard . (In case you are wondering, these aren't sponsored posts. Poplin just gets a dress to give away.) I really just love this brand. As you likely know, we're giving away one Geneva dress to a lucky Poplin email list subscriber. You can increase your chances of winning by sharing the giveaway and can have an even greater shot by entering multiple times. So, why are we doing this?

Well, US starts at size 10 and let me tell you, as a personal stylist for women, that space between size 10 and 16 is a tricky area. It's pretty common for our weight to fluctuate (mine certainly does) and when your fluctuation causes you to go from "straight sizes" to plus sizes, that often adds a layer of judgement, defeat and frankly, fewer fashionable choices. I'm not a trainer or a nutritionist, etc. Therefore, my general feeling is you don't need to change your body, you just need to change your clothes. Should you choose to tackle weight loss, you are more likely to succeed when you feel beautiful everyday in your clothes. Should you choose not to go down that path, you'll still be happier looking beautiful everyday. In short, it's a win win.

Universal Standard allows women to stick with the same great brand they love even if/when their weight fluctuates past 14. Even better? If your size changes within a year of purchase, you can exchange your piece for your current size. Seriously. Yes, US is everything.

We're looking forward to the brick and mortar store opening in the coming months. At that point, keep your eyes peeled for a Poplin event at the shop. For now, it's all about winning this Geneva dress! So take a look below at my suggestions for styling, just to get you started. Have thoughts, feelings, or questions? Please share! And remember to enter and/or share with a woman in your life who'd love to win!

How to Style the Geneva Dress from Universal Standard

Last Minute Father's Day Gifts/ Glorious Gifts for the Fellas. Go!

As you know, Dear Reader, I'm a personal stylist for women primarily in the Seattle area. But, that certainly doesn't keep me from diving into all sorts of super cool menswear options. I'm always keeping a list of noteworthy options for the men and at some point is just gets too long to keep to myself any longer. Lucky for us, Father's Day is a nice excuse to share a sea of awesomeness that will be helpful to you now and in the future. Let me know what you think!

10 Places to Shop and Things to Buy for

the Fella in Your Life.

Win the Geneva Dress From Universal Standard!

If you read the blog with any regularity, you know what a big fan I am of Universal Standard. The fashion forward brand makes high quality pieces that are functional and fashionable beginning at size 10. They are amazing.

In the next few months, US is setting up shop in

More Client Photos: Swathy: Elegant, Sophisticated, Fun

Swathy and I hit it off right away. She's in grad school, studying to be a school counselor. On any given day she can be working at a school, in class or meeting up with friends in the city. When we started working together, she was engaged and now she's married. So, I've had the pleasure of watching her go from rocking leggings and a top on the daily to the stylish, confident woman who is diving into the next phase of her life.

On a budget, we worked with

UncategorizedmelliciaJune 12, 2017Comment

Who Knew? THIS Brand is Making Fashion Forward Shoes at a Great Price point?

I've spent full days going through the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale inventory. As a personal stylist, I create wishlists and Uber Wishlists for my clients on a regular basis. Each consists of a list of pieces that fill a need for my client right now. Uber Wishlists (20-30 items) are a one time purchase whereas wishlists (8-10 items) are available individually or on a subscription basis. The beauty of each list is that it takes into account my client's lifestyle, budget, personal style, body type AND the pieces she already owns. After all, why start from scratch when you already have a closet filled with pieces.

While wishlists allow me to recommend pieces from a wide variety of retailers, the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale and Anniversary are times when clients specifically request items from the sale. So, I've been living on the Nordstrom site.

And, during this adventure I've discovered something thrilling.

Conquering Chafing, Sweat and Other Undesirable Issues that Come with Hot Weather

Finally, sunshine. As a personal stylist for women, I'm keenly aware that warm weather is both a blessing and a curse for many among us. If you find that your thighs rubbing together is not only undesirable, but actually hurts, you are not alone. How about sweat from the girls up top? These are especially common issues that up until now have been "solved" with baby powder or simply toughing it out.

Enter Megababe Beauty Products. Designed by the woman behind the 12-ish style, these all natural products are aimed at solving these ever present issues. I heard about it and had to share.

Megababe Products that Address Your

Summertime Challenges

"I wouldn't wear that, but it works for her."

We're VERY excited to share brand new client photos over the next few weeks. If you've been following Poplin on social media, you've likely seen us out in the elements during client photo shoots. Photographer Amy Catherine Paine and Hair/Makeup Artist Kat St.John were part of the collaborative effort to show off these incredible women.

First off, Lauren's photos are now on the site. She's a CEO who knows how to rock an unexpected piece by an obscure maker. In short, she is bad ass. When we met, she said, "I want people to say, 'I'd never wear that, but it works for her.'"

Take a look at her story and her photos. More to come!

UncategorizedmelliciaMay 24, 2017Comment

We Have a Winner!

Enormous thanks to each of you who entered to win a FREE pair of shoes from the re-souL collection. Each pair is made in Italy, designed in Ballard, super stylish and comfortable. If you are on the Poplin email list, you are automatically entered into drawings. So, make sure you are on the list!

UncategorizedmelliciaMay 19, 2017Comment

Styling Your FREE Pair of Closed Toe Block Heels from the re-souL Collection

There are only a few days left before we draw the winner of the FREE pair of shoes from the re-souL collection. Just click here to enter to win.

While you are dreaming, you'll want to choose your favorite pair of these beauties, made in Italy and designed in Ballard. Here's another set of ideas on making these your own.

Styling up your closed toe block heels.

UncategorizedmelliciaMay 17, 2017Comment

Win a FREE Pair of Shoes from the re-souL Collection!

If you read this blog with any regularity, thank you. AND, you must know how much I adore Ballard's own re-souL. My first big post focusing on the brand went live in November, 2013. Wow. How time flies. Now, I'm a dedicated re-souL enthusiast. The extremely well made shoes are designed in Ballard and made with supple Italian leather. Plus, each pair is equal parts fashion and function with special care given to ensure every pair is crazy comfortable.

Since that initial post, I've been fortunate to become friends with the brains behind the brand (Legh and Maggie) and partner up with Maggie on the YouthCare Styling Sessions. In short, I couldn't be happier to introduce the shop and this crew to the world. If you are already a re-souL fan, you'll be especially excited about our giveaway.

Here's how it works. Simply sign up for the Poplin newsletter to be entered. If you are already on the Poplin email list, yes, you are entered. But, wouldn't you like to increase your chances? Simply enter again and be given all sorts of options to increase your likelihood of winning. Tweet, share, post. Whatever you do. It will get you closer to a pair of shoes of YOUR CHOICE from the re-souL collection.

The winner will be announced this Friday. So, don't delay. Enter now! Until then, how about some suggestions for styling these gorgeous shoes?!

Off we go!

The Perfect Mule is a Part Timer

My Favorite Websites for Retail Deals &/or Inspiration.

Shopping is fun. But, it's especially fun when you are able to find some stellar deals. If you haven't already subscribed to the Poplin email list, make sure you do! Every other Friday you'll receive a Poplin on Point email in your inbox jam packed with deals from my favorite brands and retailers. We subscribe to all those pesky retailer emails so that you don't have to.

Otherwise, how about some new ideas for finding super deals online? As a personal stylist in Seattle, I'm always looking out for you, my Dear Reader. Here are a few of my favorites right now.

10 Websites to Offer You the Best Deals & Inspiration on Items that You Love

UncategorizedmelliciaMay 8, 2017Comment

3 Brands Reinventing the Way We Shop

Things are getting crazy in fashion land. Just when you think you know how to shop- in person or online- brands continue to innovate. That means lots of fun for me. Here are three fresh approaches to shopping that you just might love.

Three Innovative Approaches to Shopping. Go!

So What's the Deal with Amazon's Echo Look?

If you haven't already heard, Amazon just launched Echo Look. The goal is for Alexa to act as your fashion assistant. I've had all sorts of questions about the product and what it means both for Poplin and for clients. As a personal stylist in Seattle, the home of Amazon, it's clear I'll have an opinion. So here it is.

First up, what is it exactly? Here's a video to explain.

Echo Look and Current and Future Poplin Clients.

If Alexa is already a big part of your life, you may see the Echo Look as a natural fit. My goal is

Best Gifts EVER.

I recently had a conversation with a client about gifting. She said, "I wish you did wishlists for gifts because I know you'd have great suggestions." That naturally led to a conversation about finding the perfect gift which leads me to this blog post. Yes! Of course I have ideas! And you, my Dear Reader, are about to hear/ read all about them. Off we go!

My Favorite Gifts for the People You Love.