Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Michelle Obama wears a Jason Wu for the Inauguration Ball!

Michelle Obama dazzled us all in a white chiffon one sholder creation by designer Jason Wu at the Inaugural Ball. This is s moment not only in fashion history, but in American History.

I lived in DC for a number of years and my house was on Capitol Hill. I lived next to a park and from that pak you could see the Capitol Building, we used to watch the Fouth of July Fireworks from there. The Capitol is on the edge of the National Mall so sometimes I would walk or take the metro to the museums there. National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Museums line the Mall with some of the most amazing sites on earth.

When I was a little girl my Mom took my sister and I to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History and we walked through the wonderful exhibit of dresses from past First Ladies, which I will always think of as the "Hall of Dresses". How thrilling it was when as a small child I could see pieces of history through out the ages in these beautiful gowns for Inagural Ball and Inaugration Day dresses. Jackie Kennedy's dress was always a particular favorite of mine - I've always loved fashion.

What a thrill it will be in years to come when I can bring my own children to the Smithonsian's National Museum of American History and take them to the "Hall of Dresses" and see Michelle Obama's Ball Gown!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Michelle Obama wears Isabel Toledo for Inauguration Day!

Michelle Obama is wearing a beautiful gold Isabel Toledo dress to Inauguration Day!
Isabel Toledo is the creative Director for Anne Klein and Michelle has rocked her styles before.

Michelle Obama looks SO beautiful! She really is having a fashion moment and her outfit has real impact.

Our new President: Barack Obama is wearing a long black jacket, black suit, white shirt and red tie.

When they met the Bushes for the traditional coffee at the White House, Michelle Obama towered over both of them - yes, she is taller than W. I was a bit surprised to see Laura Bush in a powder blue suit dress with a quite short skirt with light tights and black shoes that were not flattering to her cankles, her stylist really owes her an apology and I hope she gets a new stylist when she moves to Texas today. On behalf of America let me just say: GOODBYE!

And on be half of America let me just say a giant HELLO and WELCOME to the new first family!

This is a beautiful moment in history and I am so proud of the progress we have made!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Inauguration Buzz!

Before moving to the breath taking coast of Maine, I lived on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. At the moment everyone in my life is super excited about the upcoming Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States: Barack Obama.

While I am also thrilled about this upcoming event, I have to admit I'm even more excited to see what Michelle Obama will be wearing! Remember what Jackie was wearing when John F. Kennedy was sworn in? I do! Ok, I wasn't old enough to be watch then but I love the pictures. I love how this is not only a moment in American History, but it might project Michelle Obama into fashion history as a new fashion icon.

Living in Maine has a lot of great advantages one of them is that I happened to have a lovely chat with Ann Perrino, the genius behind Ann Veronica bags. She owns the enchanting store on Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth, ME. If you haven's checked out her bags yet don't walk - RUN to her site immediately. They will keep those winter blues away! Ann mentioned that she wanted to gift bags to our nation's new first daughters. What an amazing idea! I had this instant idea of how amazing it would be on that cold day in January to see the first family standing together, dressed to the nines, and the first daughters with Ann Veronica bags!
http://www.annveronica.com/

I should ask my dear friend Jason Gallimore who writes for the Common Progressive amoung other things if he knows whom to contact to arrange for some gift giving. If you haven't seen the Common Progressive yet, check it out immediately for GREAT political insights.
http://thecommonprogressive.blogspot.com/

I can't wait for Tuesday! I a lot of my firends and some former clients in DC have called me to ask what they should wear to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration this is what I have been telling them:
1. Comfortable Shoes. Traffic will be awful and you will be doing a lot of walking.
2. Dress Warm. Wear long johns and tights under your clothes. Bring a hat scarves, gloves, mittens as well as some of those instant hand warmers. You might want to skip the thermos full of coffee because of all the security rsstrictions. I also recommend ear warmers.
3. Great Outer Wear. Since it is going to be COLD what you have on the outside, your jacket, your hat and your gloves will be seen most so wear your best looking ones and be sure that you are dressed in layers and that you are wearing enough layers.
4. Be prepared to wait. Security will be tighter than it has ever been. Be sure you are aware of all the restrictions BEFORE you leave the house, there are lots of offical websites to check out for that.
5. Enjoy the moment! You will be witnessing a moment in history that will change our world in an incredibly postive way, forever! Lucky you!

Monday, January 12, 2009

For the love of Rachel Zoe

Yesterday was the Golden Globe Awards. It's always exciting - winners, losers, and of course: the BEST and worst dressed.

I'm a huge fan of Rachel Zoe and The Rachel Zoe Project on BRAVO! is one of my all time favorite reality tv shows. Part of my background is as a stylist and I have helped more people get ready for more events big and small than I can count so well, Rachel Zoe is kind of my hero. The designers she knows, the people she gets to work with, her style and her ability to style others.. I have only one word for her: fabulous!

I'm not sure exactly who Rachel Zoe's current clients are, but I was surprised when I saw a "worst dressed" Golden Globe list and there were several people that might have been her clientele on that list; including: Cameron Diaz, Debra Messing, and Renee Zellweger.

Cameron Diaz wore a long pink Chanel Couture dress. It had one shoulder strap and was asymmetrical in a sort of perfection of asymmetry. The color was great on her and her hair perfectly mirrored the dress and framed her face. She looked lovely. Her blue eyes sparkled and she looked like she was happy. The dress was revealing enough to show off her amazing figure without being too revealing.

Debra Messing wore a dark blue Vera Wang floor length dress with a bit of a train that had a halter strap that wrapped around her neck. The color of this dress was perfect for her, the accessories with this dress were as Rachel Zoe would say: bananas. Spot on perfect accessories. Her smile was the best part of the ensemble. She was radiant and the color of the dress was perfect for a winter event.

Renee Zellweger wore a black organza Carolina Herrera top and the most amazing skirt. The only misstep of this outfit was the sheerness of the top, perhaps it would have more interesting with something different underneath, even so I love, love, love the shape of this ensemble. It looked amazing on her. The skirt alone was a triumph. Paired with that top and it was perfection. She looked statuesque.

So Rachel Zoe, if they were your clients and you have time to read the blogs of amateur stylists like me: well done. Another triumph. And I think you are fantastic.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Huge Discount Watch: *Macy's* and *Bloomingdales*

Macy's just announced that they will be closing ELEVEN stores in NINE states.

Clearance sales will start next week at the affected stores.

The known locations are:
Los Angeles, West Palm Beach, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., and St. Louis.

There will be more, those are just the ones that are being announced now.

A little inside speculation and what to watch for:
Since sales are down for Macy's I am relatively certain that all Macy's will start offering great sales during this period of adjustment.

ALSO:
Since the parent company that owns Macy's also owns Bloomingdale's I suspect that there will be some amazing sales at your local Bloomingdales as well.

If you have credit cards for Macy's or Bloomingdales, first of all be certain you pay off those balances right away 25% interest yikes!, secondly check your mailboxes and emails for huge "savings passes" and discount coupons this season.

I'm a huge fan of my local Macy's and this is a great oppurtunity to pick up some wonderful items at big discounts.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Holiday Travel Tips

Happy Holidays!

Not all of you can be as lucky as I am: I have a 17 hour drive prior to celebrating the holiday with my family. So how do I rock that drive and arrive looking lovely?

Tip #1:
The Scarf.
I have this great scarf I bought during my last trip to France. It's meant to be worn wrinkled. When you wash it you actually let it dry crumpled in a knot, practically impossible to ruin its look and nothing says "Oh look, I'm all dressed up." like a scarf does.

Hide a wrinkled top, hide a stain from the 3 gallons of starbucks you needed to consume to make the drive, hide a missing button, and still look pulled together and dressed up. Scarves have been my secert weapon for years.

You don't need a wrinked scarf either, you can use almost any type. My favorite ones are long and can be worn a variety of ways. I usually prefer scarves that have nice texture, they stand up well on those long car rides as well as at the airport during those long holiday lay overs.

Tip #2
Wrinkle resistant clothes.
Traveling is not the time to put on your best silk that wrinkles as soon as you take it off your hanger. When you have a flight or a long drive ahead of you, think about the business casual part of your wardrobe. Think about colors and textures that you can wear all day at work that still look great at your 4:30 pm meeting with major clients. Those are the clothes that will travel well. And you probably the perfect outfit in your wardrobe right now.

Tip #3
Comfortable Shoes.
This is the time to ditch the heels and got for the most comfortable shoes you have. When flying I prefer to wear shoes that slip on and off of my feet easily for airport security check points. I also like to be sure I have really comfortable shoes when I'm driving. When I need to take a break I pull over at a rest area and do a little power walking, it's refreshing and great for your circulation.

Another secret tip (whether I drive or fly) is that I keep my heels in the outside pocket of my bag so when I arrive at my destination I can slip off my travel shoes, slip on my heels, and I'm ready to go.


Although my drive is longer than most I am still really looking forward to seeing my family and life long friends in Virginia as well as the wonderful man I am dating in Philadephia on my way back home. I wish I had time to see my extended family and all of my friends all over the world so for any of you I am not able to see, please know that I am thinking of you this holiday season and sending you lots of love.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Great Style for the Holidays

With all the Holiday Parties, Family Gatherings and upcoming events this season comes the question: What do I wear?

Most of my family celebrates Christmas or Hanukkah and there are always lots of events to attend including of course the Holiday Office Party. While these events can be as different as night and day I have found a few simple rules to stick to that really help this time of year.

Having great style is all about finding your personal comfort level and wearing things you really enjoy. Personally I am not comfortable in snowman sweatshirts, christmas tree sweaters, deer antlers, santa hats or flashing christmas tree lights but I still want to look appropriate for the season and the occasion.

Tip #1. Dress up. Whether you are going to a family party or just the office party chances are there will be lots of pictures taken and this is a special event so look your best and dress it up a bit more than you normally do.

Tip#2. *Sparkle*. While flashing christmas tree light necklaces are a no, this is a great time to have fun with fine jewelry or faux jewelry. I have a great rhinestone necklace that is simple and elegant. It adds just a touch of flash and can transform an every day outfit to an outfit for a speacial occasion.

Tip #3. Texture. The holidays are a perfect time to indulge in luxurious textures and fabrics. Think Velvet and Cashmere. When you get those holiday hugs from friends and family, you and your wardrobe will make a great impression.

Tip #4. Color! This time of year people can go overboard on pattern. Avoid those pink pastel snowman plaid printed flannels and try a simple red cashmere sweater with great jewelry. Green is another great color choice for the season but so is any color that you feel comfortable with. Classic black is another great choice especially when you add the perfect jewelry accents.

When you see how great you look in those holiday pictures you'll be glad you took the time to dress your best and your happy holiday memories will last a life time.