Christmas is getting closer. If you still haven't wrapped up your holiday shopping, it might time to go for gift cards. With this in mind, I asked Zoya, a local Seattleite, to weigh in on her favorite sources for stylish gifts for teens and tweens. After all, she's in 8th grade and is VERY interested in fashion.
Zoya's take on buying the perfect piece for the girl in your life is not to buy her a gift at all, but rather a gift certificate. And of course, regardless of your age, everybody has a personal style. So Zoya generously put together for you, Dear Reader, a visual guide to buying gift certificates. Just find your teen/tween's personal style keyword and you're off. And if a description isn't enough, don't worry: Zoya enlisted more local stylish teens to model the looks, making your shopping even easier. Enjoy!
Four Steps to Tween Style Gifting (from a Knowledgeable Source)
Read MoreLet's talk about my hair.
I'd like to pretend that I have as much knowledge and passion for hair as I do for clothing. But, I do not. That's why I surround myself with people who do. Or, at least I try to. The challenge is that I'd LOVE someone to guide me about all things hair. As in, all things pertaining to MY hair.
In short, I'm looking for the Poplin Style Direction of hair. And I think I've come close to finding it. If you are a hair aficionado, you've likely heard of TONI & GUY, the highly acclaimed London hair brand known for "setting the fashion agenda" in the UK and beyond. Identical twin brothers Jason and Robert Townsend are part of the brand and have just opened up Essensuals London in Capitol Hill. They made me prettier, smarter and happier. And I'm confident, Dear Reader, that they can do the same for you.
Why a Visit to Essensuals London Will Change the Way You Think About Your Hair Forever
Read MoreI am all about the music. If you put on just the right track, it inspires just the right outfit and inevitably just the right day.
So, today, my Dear Reader, I am going to give you a little window into the life of this personal stylist. When I'm styling someone, I try to get into her head, to figure out what she REALLY wants to look like. Then, match that up with her body type and get her there. When I'm creating wish lists, I find it especially helpful to put on music that reminds me of that client. When I'm getting ready in the morning, if I can tear myself away from NPR, I gravitate toward something that is going to set me up for a successful day.
So, let us begin.
Read MoreTis the season to hit multiple holiday parties. That means, you need more than one LRD (little red dress) to get you through. And, of course, if you are feeling especially generous this year, that also likely means that you don’t have a lot of extra cash to spend on a little something for yourself. Not to worry! Here are a few of the moment trends that you can rock that you might just have hiding in the back of your closet.
The best part about shopping your closet? It's always open and it's free. Here's what you are looking for:
Read MoreBelow 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.
Dear Readers,
As we say goodbye to Thanksgiving feasts and cranberries, and move into peppermint and ham season, you may find your calender filling up with holiday parties. Your cousins fancy take on a fondue party, the co-workers bar hop, Janie's cocktail party, family dinner party, and best friends ugly sweater party; all occasions that you want to be festive and appropriately dressed.
Appropriate may be the type of festivity, I don't recommend a ball gown for a Christmas Tree hunt, but you could I suppose. Appropriate can also be making sure that you are warm enough during these chilly month, so find ways to stay warm without feeling like you have compromised. Take a look at my previous coat post for ideas on how to keep your topper chic, but don't forget the under bits as well. A great pair of tights I feel is an essential; but have fun with them. If you are wearing a plain shift, go for a patterned tight. Monochromatic pattern, say hello to this great pair of emerald tights. One of the wonderful things about this season is that you can punch up the sparkle and texture factors.
As follows are some holiday party outfits for all sorts of occasions.
Minimalist Masculine Chic goes to a Cocktail Party
Read MoreRemember that day, so long ago, when you discovered what having your eyebrows waxed could do for your face? Or how about when you tried a shaper for the very first time? Or a push up bra? How much do you wish someone had told you years ago about the importance of sunscreen on your face?
It's these unspoken truths that transform how we look and feel. And let me tell you, Dear Reader: lash extensions are your next addiction.
What lash extensions from the Lash Factory did for me and what they can do for YOU.
Read MoreLet's face it, the season of giving can get a little stressful. I've been thinking about this quite a bit. As your very own personal stylist, in preparation for this month of excitement and exhaustion, I've prepared a few special somethings for you, Dear Reader. After all, you've been good to me so I'm going to be very good to you.
Read MoreIt may or may not be obvious, but I think long and hard about the subject of each Seattle Sunday post. What are clients asking me about? What's my favorite new discovery? What do readers NEED to know right now?
With that sort of attention, it's been excruciating for me to hold off on this post. But, it was worth the wait!
My hands down favorite shoe store in Seattle is re-souL. That's right. Hands down.
Because of this adoration, I wanted to kick off the holiday season with a post about this Ballard boutique filled with high quality Italian-made shoes for men and women. But a post just isn't enough. My interview with owners Maggie and Legh Burns resulted in so much valuable information that you'll be seeing tips and tricks from them throughout December. And, read on for more information about how YOU could win your very own pair of men's or women's shoes from the re-souL collection. Off we go!
Why a Visit to re-souL is at the Top of your Holiday To-do List
Read MoreHappy Black Friday!
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, most people have one thing on the brain: shopping. So, without delay, please enjoy a few quick strategies for you, Dear Reader, from your very own personal stylist.
Strategic Shopping Right Now
Read MoreWe've just wrapped up a year of styling homeless youth at YouthCare. With my previous life in philanthropy, I know how much energy it takes for an organization to invest in volunteers and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.
For the past year, various members of the Poplin team and I have held styling sessions for graduates of YouthCare's Barista Training Program. Lisa Angeles Guise from the One Eighty Foundation has been volunteering with us every step of the way. The graduates are homeless or formerly homeless youth (generally teens to early twenties). We hold 2-3 hour sessions that start with a powerpoint explaining what is appropriate clothing in the work place. It includes activities to help youth find their personal professional style and to reinforce that you don't have to spend a great deal of money to look amazing. Working with the YouthCare team, our goal was to give grads a glimpse of Corporate America and assist with YouthCare's work to empower youth to succeed.
So, after a year of volunteering, we've learned quite a bit. Here are a few of my take-aways.
What I've Learned From Styling Homeless Youth
Read MoreIt's just as cool outside as it is inside. Man, you are going to love it.
One of my very favorite gifts for men is a subscription to Esquire magazine. Trust me. It's never a mistake.
But as we head into prime gift giving season, I thought I'd help you, Dear Reader, find the most perfect gifts — besides a magazine subscription — for the man in your life. No matter his age or income, the American man has a plethora of tools at his disposal to look impeccable. Of course, a great coat and a high quality pair of shoes are paramount. But what's next? As a personal stylist, I hear this question all the time.
I'll tell you what's next: accessories. And you can find every one you need, for every man you know, at Madrona's Hammer + Awl.
Three Phases to Accessorizing the American Man at Hammer + Awl
Read MoreA friend and client recently said the most extraordinary thing to me, "Wow. You have the most symmetrical eyebrows I've ever seen." First, I should point out that this client actually DOES have incredibly symmetrical eyebrows. You know the ones, with the beautiful arch. Yes, those. And, thanks to mother nature, I actually don't have them.
Until now.
If you read this blog with any regularity you've heard my seemingly endless praise of Katrina and the Cake Skincare team. I've been dying to write this blog post so that you, Dear Reader will have a glimpse of the transformation I've been experiencing since my first visit with owner, Katrina Rising.
Cake: If You Can Get In, Get In Now.
Read MoreHello Dear Reader,
It has been a while but I come to you with an essential element of changing weather dressing. The magnificent coat. Now for many of us it may just be a way to stay warm and dry during these volatile months; however once again a utilitarian object can become a distinct and personality driven piece of your wardrobe.
Truth be told this time of year is like candy to me. Sweaters come out, coats become a staple and boots are plentiful. To be honest however some of the excitement for me is tempered by the fact that I rarely get cold until it is true winter. So layering sweaters with coats is difficult. I tend to stick with light layering when donning a heavier winter coat. Regardless, I love coats. The different styles, textures, colors, weather-proof, and accessories just sends me into a tizzy of thrills. As follows are some the newest coats available from lighter layers for that too warm bus commute, to heavier anoraks ready for fall morning treks with the dog.
Coats
Read MoreIf you caught my recent post about what to wear with ankle boots, you might have a follow up question: How do I actually style ankle boots? Well, Dear Reader, as a personal stylist, I've heard this question repeatedly from clients in recent weeks. So, here's a breakdown to help you get dressed each day.
The Ankle Boot Conundrum: How Exactly Does this Whole Thing Work?
(Part 1 of 2... because there is a whole lot to learn.)
Read MoreBoutiques, makers, designers, they are inspiring, for sure. But, without a good dry cleaner, it all falls short.
As a personal stylist, clients, readers and friends often ask me for recommendations for skincare, haircare, tailors and of course, dry cleaners. This one, is by far my favorite. So, I thought, why not share the love with you, Dear Reader?
My Favorite Dry Cleaner: Bon Ton Cleaners in Ballard
Read MoreFew things are as inspiring and pleasing as seeing a really put together person on the street. It's like a little surprise. You're walking along and unexpectedly you see something (or someone) dashing, perhaps even a bit glamorous, that freezes the moment. When this happens, I often want to take a photo to document such a glorious display of fashion sense and personal style. Usually, I keep it to simply complimenting the person, which I'd encourage. Everyone leaves happy. After all, we all benefit from seeing something beautiful. And to me, fashion is a form of artistic expression. Anyway, enough of my musings. Let's get to the practical portion of this post, shall we?
In stark contrast to this euphoria, is that moment when you notice that the sophisticated fella who looks like he just walked out of an issue of Esquire is carrying a floral reusable grocery bag. Recycling- sexy. Carrying a super feminine woman's reusable grocery bag- not so much. (Unless, of course, he's carrying it for the woman he is walking with, which is pretty much the most attractive thing ever.)
As your personal stylist, I want to help prevent you, Dear Reader, from making these mistakes that keep you from realizing your true, very stylish and authentic, potential. Don't worry, they don't cost much.