Category Archives: Fashion

The Closet of a Fashionista – 40 Hanger Challenge

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I’d like to share that I fully intended to have this challenge in place and “working it” January 1st. I didn’t, however, take into account… Christmas and all the fun activities that we do during that time. ugh…

Now my goal is to have everything in place February first and begin posting an outfit a day on my Facebook page and a weekly review here. What is the 40 Hanger Challenge? Several months ago I came across a blogger who did this for her closet. She cleared out her closet and only kept 40 hanging items. She did this for a year. If something came in another item had to leave. Made her really think about what her fashion personality and needs were. It has been mulling around in my head all this time.  Could I really do that? Do I even WANT to do that. Then I thought about a few of my clients. While I am a clothes horse my clients who truly just want a few key pieces need to KNOW I really can achieve that for them.

At this time I am not planning on staying with just 40 for more that just the month. I do plan on downsizing as the shear number is just silly and truly I want pieces I love, of quality and I fit into. My husband was happy to hear this, as it seems I have taken over some closet area that was suppose to be his 14 years ago. oops…

In the mean time… here is where I am at:

  • Counted the number of hanging clothes I actually have in my closet. (over 300 OMGosh!) No this doesn’t count what’s in my dresser. 
  • Found 40 PURPLE hangers to use.
  • Purchased a container to store the clothing not being used in the challenge and started filling it. I have purged a few items along the way. (yea, me!)

What does 40 purple hangers look like?

40 Purple hangers and the space hubby wants back.

40 Purple hangers and the space hubby wants back.

Now to decipher the ratios of pants, tops, jackets, etc… February in Arizona can range from 40* to 80*. I am also contemplating how I want to apply this concept to shoes and accessories, eeek.

Lots to think about. Stay tuned.

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New Year Resolutions – Goals – Ideas for the Fashionista

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Here we are mid month in January.  Did you make any resolutions? How are you doing? It takes 21 days to make or break a habit. (I think longer if food is involved.) I’ve heard that right about now, mid month, is when people give up. Think about it this way, either it wasn’t right for you or it needs to be broken down in to chunks. By the way, it is totally OK to start over. I think I have about 3 times already.

Here are some ideas I have for your beauty regime.

  • Wash your face (twice a day). I am partial to BeautiControl’s facial system. If you don’t have one find one. If your in AZ I’ll help you. Even if you want to just fall into bed. You’ll feel so much better. Take it from me, I’ve been falling into bed the last 7 years (oldest child) I feel so much better when I do this.
  • Wear Sunscreen everyday (no it doesn’t matter that it is the dead of winter) the sun is blaring and the UV rays are bouncing off of everything. Protect your skin.
  • Brush AND Floss  No I am not being paid by the dentistry association. Keeps your smile healthy and you healthy too. I found out the plaque associated with heart disease is the same plaque in your mouth… Take care of your smile, take care of your heart.

    Daily Routine

    Daily Routine – Skin care and smile care.

How about some fashion ideas…

  • Shop your closet first  Before running off to the store to get something new, shop your closet. Get creative with a new look. Think outside the box or closet in this case. You’ll save time and money. Who doesn’t want both of those?
  • Only keep what fits you in your closet  There is nothing like pulling out something to wear and realizing you can’t fit into it weather to big or small. If you want to hang onto somethings fine, just keep them separate. It will save time and aggravation.
  • Decide what you are going to wear the night before  Even if you have to create two looks. Yes, I am guilty of it too. I pull something together the night before and then in the morning I am not in the mood for that look. Now I get two outfits ready. It saves time and If I can sleep in just a bit longer totally worth it.
Nothing to wear?

Nothing to wear?

What fashion or beauty resolution are you working on?

 

Fashion – Shopping Advice from a Pro

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After shopping with a few clients these past couple of weeks I have decided to give you the top 5 things to do, be it shopping with a professional like me or shopping by yourself.

  • Know what’s in your closet. This small piece of advice will save you so much time and money. Why? When you know what you have it is easier to mix and match and keeps you from over doing it on say, black pants or whatever you obsession.
  • Shop for FIT not size.  We have become a “size tag” obsessed society. “I should buy it because it says I’m a smaller size…”  No, you should buy it if the garment makes you LOOK a size smaller. Fit the larges part of your body then alter to make it custom for you. Example, if you have fuller hips find pants, skirts and shorts that fit you best around the hip. Then have the waist taken in so there’s no gap.
  • Buy it only if it will go with 3 other things in your closet.  NO, not in your cart, in your closet. This does 3 things… makes you “know” what is in your closet, keeps you from over spending, and forces a little more mix and match. Get creative.
  • Wear nice undergarments.  You might be asking yourself “why?” whose going to be seeing me try on these clothes. If I am going with you, I will see you. But more importantly when we wear undergarments that fit well, we feel good and our clothes fit better. By the way, just wear white or nude. Nothing distracts like a black under white.
  • Try everything on.  I can hear you now… “yeah yeah I know but I just popped in and didn’t have time.” The challenge is, if you didn’t have time to try it on there how much more time do you have when you get home. If it doesn’t fit you now have to find time to take it back. I have so many clients who still have clothes in their closet with tags that don’t fit properly and didn’t or can’t take them back for whatever reason. Wasted money, space and time. Don’t guess, try it on.

Happy Shopping!

Fashion Night Out – Enlighten Studio

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Yes, I have been MIA… I’ll explain in another post. In this post I’ll be sharing my review & experience at the Fashion Night Out event at Enlighten Studio for the Matrix Glossy event which was held Thursday, September 6th, 5pm-8:30PM in Old Town Scottsdale (AZ).

I have been invited to other locations and stores during this fun celebration of fashion in the past. And have enjoyed each of the events for their own unique reasons, but THIS event was particularly fun. Was it the location, event coordinator, guest list, gifts, or services… Well, all of the above.  Yvonne, the Enlighten Studio owner and master stylist/colorist really put a lot of thought and effort into planning the event from the decor and food to the gifts and services available for guest. It was not a huge event if you were to compare it to what the local mall was doing but it held it’s own in so many ways.

Guests could participate in a couple different ways: pre-purchase a ticket for two different packages which included color and styling, makeup lesson/makeover (from me), and a swag bag or just attend and enjoy the festivities get some pointers and meet some great women. There was a very special and fun bonus… Lauren from Destination Arizona was on location filming the before and afters & interviewing guests. She’s a fun fashionista.

Here’s some of the setup behind the scenes before guests arrived.ImageMy set up. I just pulled the most popular color of the season to show.ImageThe custom cupcakes.ImageThe decor and swag bags.

When guests started to arrive the energy was up with great music from a live DJ, yummy nibbles from Lesley’s Creative Cakes Flower and Catering, beautiful jewelry display from Becky Kessing from Parklane Jewelry, and of course the fantastic hair and makeup services.  I have never been so busy during one of these events as this one. There was someone in my chair the entire time and beyond the official end to the event. Everyone was having so much fun they were just hanging out and networking afterward.

Here are a few photos I was able to take in-between some my sessions. I really didn’t have much time and I of course would only remember after the fact. If you pop on to Facebook here Enlighten Studios they had a few people posting through the evening.

ImageThis guest wanted a “very natural, going to bed look”… so that is what I gave her.

ImageBecky after her touch up. Love the red lips… 🙂ImageGiving Tracy a smokey eye and bold lips.ImageOne of the models, even helped her pick her dress as she had several fun pieces to chose from.

So, in a nut shell, I had a ton of fun working with all the guests and Enlighten Studios stylists. I would do it again.

Here’s me.

Image

What did  you do for Fashion Night Out?

Fashion – AZ Assist Switch & Ditch

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I had the privilege to put on a Switch & Ditch fundraiser for AZ Assist a local (Arizona) nonprofit that assists young adults with autism and their families. It is impressive what they have been able to do for there clients with the little recognition they’ve received.

It was the largest Switch & Ditch to date. The ladies had a great time and were able to learn more about AZ Assist. I am still taken back on the amount of clothing that ends up being left over after all is said and done. It was all donated to Fresh Start Treasures. I love the win – win – win – win concept. 🙂 I think they are starting to get to know me over there as I have dropped off lots of goodies over the last year.

Here is a peak into the fun we had at Switch & Ditch…

AZ Assist – Switch & Ditch 

Oh AND this is also a “photo a day” 2. Empty – Not. It looks like a store.

Fashion – Color Choice & Mood

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Have you ever noticed that when you are in certain moods you buy certain colors? I am always drawn to purple, it’s “my color”. I am big on color as it is one of the areas I teach my clients about when I meet with them about personal style. I am “old school” and still see the value in color draping and knowing your best colors.  That being said, I also understand that we go through color phases in our life, partly from the trends that are available to us and partly what our mood or out look is.

I have had some migraines lately and have been feeling pretty… well… cruddy.  As I was going through my closet I noticed a new color trend that has never been there… Grey. Pretty much describes my mood too. Now, yes, grey is a great neutral, however, I tend toward black. I did have grey in my closet before this, like 2 things, but I have been choosing to purchase and wear grey a lot lately. I think I better go find some new purple things to see if it brings my mood up. I did luckily find some fabulous pink capris that have been fun to create new looks with.

Lots of grey for a purple girl.

What is your color trend and is it linked to your mood?

Fashion – May Photo a Day (3, 4, 6, 24, 30)

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Fashion is a daily thing for me. Here are a few from the month from the “photo a day challenge” on instagram. If you’d like to “follow me” I’m thejackiestyle.

3. Something you wore today  I have a challenge getting my own photo of the outfits I wear. I have been trying different angles and what not. I don’t really have a great mirror to get the look I want and the from above angle doesn’t flatter me. Urg! So this is what I came up with this time. If you have any suggestions on how to get a better “outfit of the day” photo I’d love it. 🙂

Something you wore today.

4. fun!  I was meting with an awesome friend I have known forever and we love fashion & make-up so we always end up talking about it when we are together.

Fun! – Coffee with a friend.

6. you  We were visiting the in-laws and I found a quiet spot to take this shot. Totally casual and wearing jean shorts and a new grey shiny shirt from the May Switch & Ditch.

You – Who me?

24. Something new  I found these beauties while doing a video blog at AZ Salvation Army (to be posted soon). They were $6.00! Kenneth Coles. I wear them almost everyday.

Something new – shoes!

30. Your Personality  This was a tough topic. I am easy to read but I couldn’t figure out how to make it come through in a photo. My C Boy had a Tea for all the moms who volunteered in the class. He told me, “Mom, you have to wear a hat, it is a tea.” So I grabbed one of my hats. I was the only mom in a hat. He was very excited. When I posted the photo on FB my friends said they saw joy. What do you think?

Your Personality – Joyful