Planning a family spring break getaway? Have some upcoming work travel? Does the change in season or temperature have you wondering what to pack? Getting ready for travel can be exciting and stressful.

 
Sometimes we throw all good taste and sense out the window when traveling. Opt for a simple and classy look. Success means you feel great from the airplane to your destination, and back. And, you didn’t over pack!

 

Tips for getting started:

 
A light grey or black open cashmere sweater is a must for traveling in any season. It’s a versatile layering piece to keep the chill out, whether you wear it under a coat in New York City, or over a dress on a cool Arizona night.

 
Don’t pack a lot of separate items that you will have to match each day on the trip. If you have a favorite item that has to come along, make sure it coordinates with at least two other pieces.

 
To help me plan, I get out the travel bag I will be using ahead of time. That way I can be realistic about how many items can be packed. Shoes are the heaviest and the most space stealing item, pack those in the bottom of your bag.

 

I like to use Packing Cubes to stay organized. They are small rectangle zipper containers, lightweight enough to fit inside your suitcase. If you don’t want to be fishing through your bag to find your swimsuit, these little organizers come in handy.

 
Roll clothing! This is a simple technique that prevents wrinkling. Lay clothing out and layer pieces on top of each other, starting with the largest long sleeved item, followed by those with short sleeves, then top off with pants or skirts. Press the entire stack as flat as you can and roll in one large bundle.

 

What to pack:

 
Lightweight jacket or blazer
Black t-shirt or turtleneck; depending on the season
White t-shirt or blouse
Print blouse
Jeans
Black pants
One dress or skirt
Low profile Adidas shoe for walking
Neutral colored, mid-heel shoe for daytime (metallic or cork)
Evening shoe with a heel
A bright colored pashmina shawl

 

If you are headed to the beach
1-2 swimsuits
Cover-up
Flat sandals

 
Finally, think in terms of outfits or uniforms
• Airplane outfit
• Daytime outfit
• Evening outfit
• Beach

 

 

 

 
Now your only worry will be whether or not you need that new purse for the trip!

 

 

 

Time to get real about your cluttered closets!

 

A closet that is bursting with clothing, shoes and accessories can be overwhelming.

 

Clear out your jammed closets of past bad choices, including clothing that has never been worn, and those good deals in the size you were hoping to be.

 

Start with an empty closet. Only things that you “love” get to stay. It’s worth the effort. Imagine opening your closet to find all of your favorite pieces hanging freely for you to choose with ease.

 

Knowing what you should really hold on to is the million dollar question. Often clients ask about keeping clothing in the hopes that they will come back in style. You must ask yourself, if you had the chance to pull it out again, would you have the guts to wear it? If the answer is no, then say goodbye.

 

If you have a few things you can’t seem to part with, store them in a clear bin and label it so you know what is inside. You can keep one box for what I call “keepers” (no judgment!). This will prevent you from sabotaging the process with indecision. Only things that you are currently wearing should have the privilege of being a part of your working closet.

 

In my many years of cleaning closets for clients, I have discovered that most of us wear a small portion of what we own. We all wear our favorites and the most recent additions.

 

Another tip on organizing your closet space is making sure the structure of the closet works for you. Don’t settle on the given set-up of the hanging rods in your closet. If the hanging bar is too high lower it. Never position upper rods too close to the lower ones, as the clothing bumps into the lower closet rods. This is annoying and it makes searching and sliding clothing impossible. If you make the space pleasing to the eye you will stay motivated to keep it neat and tidy. Make sure shelves are open and accessible.

 

Once you have things set up, organize your clothing by lifestyle. Keep your go-to items up front and center. Lesser worn items like formal wear and keepsake box should be in the back.

 

 

Here’s an idea to keep favorite items at your fingertips. It’s a portable organizer that I found at Urban Outfitters that could be added to a closet or bedroom. This would also be handy for staging outfits before a big trip.

 

This is a great time of year to revamp your closet. Letting go and ridding your life of clutter can truly be a life-changing experience. Contact me for a closet consultation, and start living in the present. Take a deep breath, get real, and begin your journey into 2016!

 

 

 

 

 

What to Give

Oh my! It’s that time of year when gift giving is at its peak. Not a difficult task at all, right?? Keep it simple and think about what the gift recipient would like to receive, not what you want to give them.

 

A great gift is often something the person would not normally buy for themselves. That’s what makes gift giving so fun! Don’t rule out the practical gift if the receiver is open to a gift that is less than whimsical. But, know your audience. If unsure, error on the non-practical side; surprise gifts such as jewelry, bath & body products or services, even a special piece of clothing, can make wonderful gifts.

 

I know what you are thinking; how am I going to accomplish this? First, contact me. I have been gift shopping for clients for many years and it’s my passion. I can assist you with personal gifts for family and friends, or office and corporate gifts.

 

I can pick things out, have them wrapped, and deliver them right to you. I also offer gift giving consultations by phone to get you headed in the right direction.

 

Gift certificates are another option for those that are still undecided. I can send any dollar amount for either a shopping trip or a closet consultation. All services are $75.00 an hour.

 

In the end it’s the thought that counts! So put your best foot forward and enjoy the season of gift giving. Make this the year that you get a little expert advice from a seasoned professional shopper.

 

What to Wear

Holiday office party? Entertaining at home? Meeting friends for some holiday cheer? No need to stress about what to wear. Holiday dressing, December through Valentine’s Day is special, and it should be. One exception is the “ugly sweater” party. Go for it! Wear that fun sweater you picked up at Ragstock. I like to call those items non-commitment pieces!

 

That said, don’t keep and wear holiday outfits that are outdated. If you pull on your red sweater from 1985 and feel frumpy, trust your instincts and wear something more on trend.

 

Your outfit doesn’t necessarily have to be red and green to make it a “holiday outfit”. Try wearing a sequin sweater or blouse in a color that looks great on you. A little sparkle feels festive! Pair the sweater with a fitted black pant or leather skirt, and you have an updated look. Finally, don’t forget the shoe of the season, the bootie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t mean a stylist to the Hollywood stars. I mean a stylist for you!

 

 

I’m talking about styling what you already own. If part of your favorite outfit is looking tired, we can take the piece that’s still wearable and repurpose it into a new look. Maybe it’s that forgotten print tank you used to wear under a long-gone cardigan. Or that black blazer that was once part of your power suit but now collects dust in the back of your closet. Why not take that black jacket and pair it with a boyfriend jean for a new fall look?

 

This is not about purging. This is about “Lifestyle”. Do you work 5 days a week and all you have in your closet is Lululemon? Often, the solution may be already hanging in your closet. I can help you pull together the right mix of outfits for your specific lifestyle. Let’s make sure to put all your great pieces to work. We can also dig through your jewelry and scarves that are waiting to be worn.

 

Good for you if you come home with another black cardigan and you proudly donate the three others hanging in your closet. However, many people tend to purchase clothing and forget about what they already own. Let’s face it; some clothing is just easier to buy. And who can pass up a great deal? But, buying a piece just because it’s cheap is not always the best strategy.

 

Regardless of whether you work outside of the home or not, everyone wants to look good and feel fabulous in any situation. So, the answer to the question is yes, you do need a stylist!

 

 

 

 

Men, are these fashion offenders lurking in your wardrobe?

 

Three Button Jackets – It’s just about impossible to find three button jackets out there now. Two buttons are the name of the game, with either a single or double vented back.

 

Long Sport Coats – If you have been to any social event lately, especially weddings, you will notice that the suit coats are definitely shorter. A long jacket that falls too far beyond the bum is a dated look.

 

Oversize Shoulders – Less is more in the shoulders, so the less padding the better. A slimmer cut sleeve is also best.

 

Baggy Dress Shirts – Drop those off at Goodwill, or have a tailor take in the sides to give a less baggy and more streamlined look.

 

Full Pleated Pants – I know they are comfortable, but opt for a flat front or a single pleat pant.

 

Polo Shirts – These can be great, but if you wear the shirt untucked, the tail should not be longer than the top of the back pockets of your shorts or pants. Also, pay attention to how deep the V goes when the shirt is unbuttoned (too much chest hair is out). The depth of the V will vary depending on the designer. Finally, as with dress shirts, a slim fit is best.

 

If your radar hasn’t been focused on men’s trends, here are a few more to pay attention to:

 

Tailored Separates – Buying off the rack just got easier; many retailers offer matching suit separates. This means that you can buy the jacket and pants separately, typically resulting in less alterations. That said, having the advice of a good tailor is a must.

 

Neutral Suiting – Suits in shades of gray, ranging from pewter to stone, with the single breasted styles being the most on-trend.

 

 

Suit Without a Tie – Don’t be afraid to dress down a suit for Saturday night. Go ahead and ditch the tie. Wear a crisp dress shirt, or even a nice crew-neck tee.

 

No need to panic, men’s trends are not as quick to change as women’s, meaning if you make these updates to your wardrobe, you will be in style for a while!