I Love My Colors

Some of life’s choices got real easy when I had my colors done.  Simple things like buying a pair of summer sandals or a new top are so much easier because I have a color palette.  It’s not just a color palette!  It’s a color palette scientifically and artistically made for ME.  Not you, not you either, but ME.  Unless you have exactly the same hair color as me and the same skin tone AND the same eye color (which I doubt), than this palette could not be yours.  It could be similar but not exact because this color analysis system is based on science and the Munsell color wheel (hence, the science and art).

It took me two seconds to choose this nail polish color and less than five seconds to choose this inexpensive pair of sandals from Target.  Do you have that much time?  Of course you do!  I didn’t have to agonize over whether these two items would be good purchases for me.  I have bigger fish to fry in my day!

The bonus?  These sandals are an even greater find because not only are they in my color family, but they are also of a striped pattern.  Perfect for my angled face.  I’ve scored 110% with this easy purchase by capturing my best colors and working with my inside line (face shape).  It just doesn’t get any easier.

If you would like to simplify your shopping or would like some help purging your closet, contact me today.  It’s just that easy.

My contact info:

kate@adistinctiveimage.com

919.624.2294

Carolina Silver Company

If keeping up with the trends is important to you but your budget is saying, “NO,” don’t worry. There are options out there for even the most budget-conscious fashionistas. Be daring with bold, earth-friendly looks or create a soft allure with the feminine touches of lace and silk. You can get the hottest looks for the season without breaking the bank.

Scaling back doesn’t mean giving up your quest for that perfect spring look. Accessories are going to be your best friend this season and hopefully for seasons going forward. Today more than ever, the accessory industry closely follows all of the clothing trends. According to Carolina Silver Company, located in Raleigh and Cary, “We strive to stay in step with current trends for women of all ages and lifestyles.”

Accessories are the easiest way to update your look and are generally less expensive than buying a whole new wardrobe. “Our customers know they can always count on us to keep them in style with fun, affordable accessories for every occasion,” says Terri Taylor, owner of Carolina Silver Company. You can find quality silver jewelry, such as the currently popular Pandora and Waxing Poetic lines, plus colorful beads and earth-friendly, bold pieces at her stores.

Shopping smart this spring season means taking last year’s look and updating it with some hot new accessories! Here are the 5 top trends from Raleigh’s leading silver company:

Top 5 trends from Carolina Silver Company

1. Floral cluster necklaces – colorful and feminine
2. Big, bold BANGLES and cuffs – Tribal inspired
3. Multi-strand necklaces – full of small beads for a chunky look
4. Hardware style earrings and necklaces – hoops and discs connected by long chains
5. Scarves – light, airy, patterned or embellished in lieu of jewelry

Take cues from this list to update your best looks from last year. To make a smart investment even smarter, buy one complete set (for example, the necklace, bracelet and earrings). Purchasing a set affords many more opportunities to mix and match the pieces, creating endless fresh looks. For example, wear the bracelet and earrings together. On the next day, pair the necklace with another necklace from your existing jewelry collection. (Layering pieces is very “in” this spring.) Wearing the earrings with the necklace, for example, creates an “outfit” out of separates. You get the idea. Have fun and don’t be afraid to mix up your old pieces with the new.

Does this look familiar?

What happens to your attitude when you gaze into your closet? Many attitudes are sabotaged by that “I-can’t-find-a-thing-to-wear” moment. Besides, most people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. Why is this? Closets get crammed full for many reasons, but you can stop the clutter by purging out-of-date, ill-fitting items. Increase your confidence today by getting organized because when you look good, you feel good.

Follow these steps to de-clutter:

1. Remove everything from your closet
2. Examine every item with brutal honesty
3. Sort each piece into one of three groups: keep, maybe and pass

When examining each of your items, be sure to ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it age appropriate?
• Is it in good condition? (No pills, rips or stains)
• Does it fit?
• Is it a good color for me?
• Do I wear it often? (Hint: If you have not worn it in a year, let it go.)
• Is it in style? (Hint: styles don’t come back around exactly the same as before.)
• Is it appropriate for my current lifestyle?

Your keep pile will most likely be that 20% that you wear all the time. You only want your favorites in your closet.

Your pass pile should be sorted into groups that are for charity, friends and trash. Why hang onto items that you don’t wear when someone else could be enjoying them?

Your maybe pile will be the hardest challenge but remain steadfast. Be brutal about each piece and revisit the questions above. Don’t keep an item just because it evokes romantic memories of a past date or a time when you were 20 pounds lighter. Let go of those excuses! You are on a totally liberating mission of increasing your daily confidence with a beautifully organized closet.

Like hangers keep clothes from tangling

Before you begin to refill your closet, think about its physical structure first. According to Raleigh’s leading professional organizer, Janice Russell of Minding Your Matters® Organizing, “Make your closet functional by creating a retrieval place rather than a storage space. Storage implies a crowded, unknown space. If your closet is a retrieval place then it is like going to a well-organized store each day.”

Janice offers these organizational tips:

• Use the same kind of hanger for uniformity (wooden, plastic or wire)
• Consider a double-rod system. There are hanging rods which attach to the existing rod, creating additional, flexible space which can be removed or changed when desired.
• Stack items using vertical dividers
• Remove rods not in use. Just because there is a rod doesn’t mean it has to stay there

Analyze what you have kept. Do you notice similar colors, similar patterns (stripes, flowers, geometric) or like-styles? Make note of the good, bad and ugly. Use these notes to shop smart. Congratulations, you are gaining confidence with organization!

Red lips are hot this season, and are one of spring’s “must-have” looks. Typically a fashion barometer for spring, the Oscar’s “Red Carpet” fashion show was not a disappointment as everyone seems to still be talking about Sandra Bullock’s red lips. Red lips are bold, striking, sexy, and can be quite glamorous if worn correctly.

Historically speaking, in a struggling economy, women have traditionally purchased lipsticks in place of a new outfit. During our last economic slowdown, The Wall Street Journal stated that lipstick sales at mass retailers rose 11% for 3rd quarter over the previous year. And if a woman’s budget this year is limited to lipstick purchases, than why not choose a daring, bold color like red? A red lipstick can make last year’s best outfits look like new! However, the problem with red lipstick is finding the right shade of red.

Sadly, the wrong red can detract from your look. Many will argue that Ms. Bullock’s fuschia shade, which is from the red-purple group, is not her best and that a true red would have been more in harmony with her own coloring.

A simple way to look at the different shades of red is to look at a color wheel. The picture here is a fun look at the scientific side of color. The top center is the true red pencil and just to the right of it is the orange pencil (red- yellow). To the left of the true red pencil are the pink and purple pencils, also known as the red-purple group. Now study the reds within your wardrobe. Do you see more burgundy (red-purple) or more brick red (red-yellow) in your closet? Perhaps your favorite red is a true red. These different shades of red within your own wardrobe are good indications of which red will be more flattering on your lips.

Finding Your Best Red

As with all items in your wardrobe, if that burgundy or brick red in your closet is not being worn, than you have a pretty good indication it is the wrong red for you! Your subconscious is at work when it comes to selecting your best colors. Listen to your own voice. But be daring! Be bold! Be one of the first in your circle of friends to try a hot, new red lipstick for spring.

Try our ColorFit demo to discover your best red (Warm v. Cool v. Neutral) today!

Don’t be a fashion victim!

Fashion Doesn't Have to be Scary!

Perhaps the designers at Marc by Marc Jacobs liked the idea of infusing bold colors with different patterns to create texture and interest, but Dawn of the Dead in Technicolor?  Please! Buying and wearing every item in the spring collections is neither a good investment for your wallet nor your closet.  Collecting a few key pieces should be your strategy to looking updated and fresh. Here are my 3 simple steps to accomplishing your spring goals: 1. Choose one or two new looks that appeal to you. 2. Analyze what each look has to offer, and why it caught your attention. 3. Choose a few pieces from that analysis to make the looks your own. .

I’m going to now put these 3 steps into play with inspirations from Harper’s Bazaar, March 2010.  I’ve decided that my first favorite trend is nautical.  For me it represents carefree, fun summers whether I’m at the beach or just relaxing in Adirondack chairs watching the sun set.  The fabrics, textures and colors of the nautical look are clean, fresh and strong

My second favorite trend this season is the color red.  Red is dramatic, strong, and full of energy.  Red is terrific in a dress or a statement blouse, but it’s just as great in small doses as an accent color.  It’s incredibly versatile, and for me, the oh-so-practical-stylist, that is what I want in a color. So now that I have chosen my two favorite spring trends, how do I incorporate them into my closet so my existing pieces look updated and fresh?

I have decided on 4 new items that I would like to have based on these favorite picks.

1. Blue and white striped top or jacket
2. Woven wedge sandal in natural, navy or red
3. Red top (Make sure it’s in YOUR red.  For me, that would be a true red, not orange-red as shown in the above picture. If you don’t know, you need an analysis.)
4. Bold accessory like a belt or bracelet that screams “nautical.”

And how do I tie these items back to my wardrobe?  My options are endless, but let me give you a few examples:

1. Either of the tops and/or jacket would work back with my navy suit for business casual.
2. My jean skirt and natural blazer could be paired with either of the tops plus the wedges.
3. Adding the bold bracelet and/or belt along with the wedges to my navy suit easily gives me a fresh, updated business look.

So you see, just by adding a few pieces from the season’s trends can keep you on track with your budget but still make you feel like you’re wearing new and exciting outfits.  Choosing from a few of your favorite trends is easier too.  But most of all, it just makes sense to avoid the over-done, and often times, scary looks seen in the fashion magazines.

If you are still wondering how to incorporate some fresh new looks into your spring wardrobe, call me now for your free initial consult.  Let me help you with your wardrobe strategies today. You can reach me by phone 919.624.2294 or email me – kate@adistinctiveimage.com.

Top 5 Wardrobe Strategies For 2010: Cost-Saving Tips That Are Easy To Follow

1. The Skinny on Belts.

Belts can make an outfit look very pulled-together. The key to successful belt-wearing is knowing your figure type. For example, if you are short-waisted or have a higher hip, go for a narrow belt. A wide belt looks great on a longer waist because there’s room to spare. If you bulge around the belt, try a thinner belt or a bigger size. A bigger size works well to “skim” the waist while defining it. A belt peeking out from under a jacket creates the illusion of a waist, even if you don’t have one!

2. Just MY size.

If you think clothes should fit you perfectly off the rack, think again! And forget about clothes’ sizes too. Fit to the largest part of your body. For example, choose a pair of pants that skim over your hips and thighs, ignoring the gaping waist. A waist can be easily altered. Become friends with your tailor to get “just my size” clothing.

3. The Secret Behind Your Face.

Do you have an angled or contoured face? Harmony and balance can be created easily with the right neckline. Choose your necklines and style lines that best represent your face shape. If your jaw area is more angled, than a v-neck or square neck will be more flattering than a scoop neck.

4. Size Does Matter … When it Comes to Accessories.

Keep your patterns and accessories in proportion to your body and pay attention to their placement. Oversized earrings or large designs overwhelm a petite person, just as a small purse will look disproportionate on a fuller- figured person. Much like an overwhelming design, jeans with a design on the back pockets are not the best choice if you don’t want to call attention to your derriere. And be aware that a purse with a short shoulder strap will add width to your upper torso.

5. The Quest for Color!

Your personal style begins with knowing your best colors. Use color to reflect your personality while sending specific messages. Are you fashionable and creative? Try a navy, yellow and purple color combination. Or do you want others to see you as intelligent? Go with yellow! With a little help, finding the right colors and smart combinations can be your first simple pleasure of the New Year.

As a professional style consultant, I want to help you create a style that works for you and is easy to maintain. Life is too short! Don’t get bogged down with a closet full of “nothing-to-wear” items. A few simple tricks, a palette with 40 of YOUR best colors and a personal style portfolio is all you need to look great every day.

Contact me if you want to “keep it simple!”
Call Kate @ 919.624.2294
or email her @ kate@adistinctiveimage.com

Tools ‹ adistinctiveimage.com — WordPress.

OK, some of you may be thinking, “That’s not a messy closet!”

But for someone like me, this is totally a disaster! I have a very small closet and it must stay neat and organized for me to maintain my sanity. Getting dressed each day should not be a chore, nor should it instill a bad mood.

What is your idea of a perfect closet? For me, it has to be orderly and organized by color.

Regardless of whether you are male or female, wear suits or business casual, or work in a corporate environment or at home, you should place high importance on your closet and your wardrobe. A messy wardrobe or a closet full of “nothing” can really affect your attitude for the rest of the day.

Here are 5 key points to consider for your own wardrobe:

1. Build a wardrobe that meets your lifestyle needs. (Use a pie graph to chart this.) An example would be:

a.  55% of your time needs work clothes
b.  35% – family time/play clothes
c.  5% – athletic/outdoor activities
d.  5% – social events

2. Do you travel a lot for business or pleasure? Do you have a system for packing quickly and effectively?

3. What colors are predominant in your wardrobe? Is that working for you or would you like to add more color into the mix? (I’m going out on a limb here to assume you mostly have black!)

4. What’s your personal style like? Could you describe it? Could you recognize it in

a store?

5. Do you have time to shop and plan for your wardrobe?

Taking the time NOW to organize, purge and reclaim your wardrobe is a smart investment. Save your precious dollars! Don’t buy something just because it’s on sale. And stop wasting time and money on bad clothing mistakes because you were under some time pressure.

Put your energies into your existing wardrobe:

• Do analyze your lifestyle needs to make sure you have the correct proportion of work clothes to play clothes to social events, etc.
• Take the time to go through all of your spring/summer (don’t worry about your winter clothes till the fall) items to make sure each piece fits you well, flatters your skin tone, hair and eyes and is in good condition.
• Please purge the items that don’t pass this test. This may be most of your wardrobe. Don’t panic.
• Look for other ways to wear your current pieces together. I bet you can find different looks if you try.
• Stop! Don’t forget to jot down any items that you need to add or want to replace, like your white dress shirts. A season of dry cleaning/washing will dull your whites to a dingy yellow.

Know your colors, what looks best on YOUR body and what style is most like you (Look for the commonalities in your current wardrobe.)

Maybe because I’m headed on a business/fun trip soon or perhaps it’s because I watched “Bucket List” again that has me thinking of “lists.” One in particular that has been swirling around in my head is what to wear/what to take on this trip. So, the other day, I sat down and just jotted down all the items that one might need for a trip based on weather, activities, dressy or casual events, etc.  Although I don’t know if I really need every item on the list, it does get me thinking about my trip as well as my spring wardrobe. No pressure here. Just add any item that you would like to have. (i.e. capri’s, wedges, lightweight blazer/jacket, fun handbag, casual dress, etc.)
I’m hearing a few “groans” from some of you who would rather go to the dentist than think of packing for a trip, let alone preparing for this season’s wardrobe! Thinking ahead can ease the stress and burden of it all. Besides, it’s certainly not too early to think of your spring/summer wardrobe! After all, we are officially in the season of spring, even if it’s chilly outside. Right now, the new season’s styles are out in the stores and most are already on sale. So, if you see something that passes the 3F’s test (Fit, Flatter & Function [does it go with 3 other items in your closet?]), than by all means, snap it up. And not just because it’s on sale!

This brings me back to my list … do I own the items that I jotted down? If yes, are those pieces in good condition? Case in point, my wedges. Yikes! They definitely need replacing.  I can buy those online or in the stores since shoes, for me, are easy.  However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Tip #1: Buy items that work for you, your body type, face shape and personality over buying something just because it’s a hot trend.

Ok, so I don’t have all of the items on the list, but now I can scrutinize just what I really do need.

Tip # 2 Prioritize your wish list. What is really necessary and what can I do without since my budget is slimmer this year and the carry-on bag must not bulge.

Now with my list trimmed down, I now know exactly what I need to buy, pack and wear for this trip of mine … and it’s not 11:30 p.m. on the eve of my trip!  Success!  I will also be that much closer to having my spring wardrobe organized when I return from my trip. Woohoo!