Holiday Gifts

The following post offers some ideas for last minute holiday gifts. Good luck and enjoy the holidays!

Gift Guide

Do's and Don'ts for a 1st Date

Do's and Don'ts for a 1st Date

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Links

Links à la Stocking Stuffers

Edited by Fashion Pulse Daily

This week, as I've been getting geared up for the holiday season's shopping ( both loving and dreading it) via Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I couldn't help but compare the posts to stocking stuffers. Why? Because it felt like a nice, sentimental hodge podge of little items that although different, still fit together into the the bigger equation, hence my new phrase, "Links a la Stocking Stuffers!" Although I jest, I love the variety of posts this week, from how to style and what to wear including Retro Chick's guide to '40s hair for holiday parties, CoolMamaStyle.com's tuxedo jacket, The Coveted's adventures in Century 21 and What to Wear's Art Basel fashionable looks, to Prom Mafia's run in with Black Friday and SwaySwaySway's blissful tactics to keep your computer off on Cyber Monday.

As expected, there was a fabulous round-up of links in the forum as well, all worthy of your eyeballs!

Links à la Mode : December 3rd

• 39th and Broadway - How zoning may save the fashion industry
• Bonne Vie - talking about Knockoffs and why making accessible fashion isn't a bad thing
• Confessions of a Fashion Editor - Interview with Katie Mackay of What Katie Wore, as she reaches the end of her year-longstyle challenge, to wear something different every day!
• CoolMamaStyle.com - Binge or Bargain: Black Tuxedo Jacket
• Fashion Pulse Daily - Saks Fifth Avenue & Windows 7; an unlikely pairing for the holidays!
• Fashion XK8 - Explores Fashion through local anthropology
• Girl Friday - Mad About the Tote
• Little Miss Makeup: Smoky Eyeshadow: A Timeless Makeup Trend
• Oranges and Apples - Fashioning the Future: my favourites from the 2009 sustainable fashion awards
• Painfully Hip - Edie Sedgwick takes San Francisco (she was born a California Girl, after all)!
• Prom Mafia - Surviving Old Navy's Black Friday Sales
• Rags to Reverie - How Essie got me to embrace nail color once again
• Retro Chick - A Step by Step Guide to Easy 40s Style Party Hair
• Style Symmetry - Blog to Watch ~ My Mom, The Style Icon
• SwaySwaySway -A short and humorous guide to beating those seductive Cyber Monday urges
• [the 3st] - Interview with Hungarian Designer Dora Mojzes, recently featured at the Marie Claire Fashion Show,
• The Art of Accessories - helps you find a gift for everyone on your list with the 2009 Winter Gift Guide
• The Coveted - Finds designers at an old favorite discount department store, Century 21
• The Door in My Wardrobe - A lengthy post about fabric weaves and fibers, helpful for vintage hunter
• The Working Wardrobe - Check out these eco-friendly ties that work with your outfit and your office dress code.
• What to Wear -Art Basel Miami Beach--the most important art show in the United States

Beyond Fashion

Edited by Retro Chick

This weeks Links à la Mode blows away any preconceived ideas of the narcissistic fashion blogger posting endless outfit photos and magazine shoots by covering a huge array of topics. Ranging from Dream Sequins whimsical birthday tea party to High Fashion Girls detailed examination of racism in fashion magazines, these posts demonstrate what we’re capable of and the communities we can build.

Of course, being fashion bloggers there are also some great outfits to be found and our bloggers this week have looked at: movies, from Bollywood to Sci fi; their pyjama drawers; and even their cleaning cupboard in their ceaseless search to bring you fashion inspiration.

As ever there’s many more exciting links on the original forum thread

Enjoy!

Links à la Mode : November 26th

• British Style Bloggers – Intrinsically Florrie on British Style Bloggers on how you can support the lovely Luella brand in it’s time of need
• Dream Sequins – The stylish guests at a virtual birthday tea party (Part 2)!!
• Fashion X K8 – The Fashion Blogging community being analoguous to “The Girls” in Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof
• FashionHippo – Best Organic Lip Balms: 6 Natural Picks to Nourish Your Pout
• Fete a fete – Guerlain’s Imperial Holiday makeup collection review
• High Fashion Girl – Racism & Fashion
• Idiosyncratic Style – Idiosyncratic Style dares you to re-think the possibilities of Pajamas outside the house
• In Life and In Fashion – How to dress with Bollywood Flair
• Lillys Roses – The new charity tshirts by TV-Star C.F. for the eco label armeangels
• M.I.S.S. – She’s Crafty: DIY First Place Ribbon Accessories
• Mariels Castle – Are we trully free when it comes to our fashion choices?
• Oranges and Apples – What are charity shops for? Thoughts sparked by Mary Portas’ new Save the Children shop
• Prom Mafia – Happy Accident: How to bleach fun designs on your clothes
• Quirky Fashion – Movies that Inspired Fashion
• Retro Chick – Buy Audrey Hepburns Wardrobe
• Shoe Daydreams – Why Knock-offs are Bad for the Soul
• Style on a String – Confessions of an UGG Lover and Wearer (but only indoors!)
• THE COVETED – Coach Holiday : Review & Giveaway!
• The Demoiselles – Wing Tips: Finding a Tailor
• Work Chic – Win a Sondra Roberts SR squared Shopper tote!

20 Things An Image Consultant Can Do For YOU!!

Ever since I decided to pursue a career in Image Consulting I have been asked one question more than any other. I understand the question and quite honestly would have never been able to answer this question with any certainty until about two years ago. The question is..


I understand you are an image consultant, but what do you do? And why would I benefit from hiring you?


As Image Consulting is a new field it is not shocking that this question comes up so often. People seem to understand the idea of what a consultant does. They walk into a situation and look at it objectively, from the point of view of someone who is trained to understand certain types of situations and to offer tools to improve the situation. The image part however, is so broad that it seems people do not understand what specifically that image consultant can do for them and how.


That being said I have written a list of benefits to having an Image Consultant:

Image Consultants can...

 1.)   Show you what colors will most flatter your personal skin tone.

 2.)   Show you how to dress for your body, more specifically what sort of shapes will slim, bulk, elongate, shorten, etc.

 3.)  Teach you what sort of things to wear that will flatter your personal facial shape 

 4.)  Teach you how to accessorize properly finding items that flatter your personal structure, as well as show you ways to accessorize to avoid looking to minimal or “over the top”

 5.)   Work with you to determine your personal style

 6.)  Help you clean out your closet (s) dresser drawers

 7.)   Take your clean closets and donate the discarded clothes to local charities of your choice

 8.)   Offer you suggestions regarding tailors, dry cleaners, and  cobblers, etc to help you repair garments in need

 9.)  Take the clothes that you have and show you how to organize your belongings into a concise area creating ease for dressing in the future

 10.)  Show you what sort of garments you might need in your closet to help you complete your wardrobe

 11.)  Help you with shopping showing you what types of garments will fit you best as well as direct you towards brands that match your style / body type

 12.) Keep you updated on new styles entering the stores as well as sales

 13.)  Give you an idea of what is to come and what sort of looks are simply fads.

 14.) Shop for you and later have you try on garments on your own time or bring garments to you to try in your own home.

 15.)  Help you with shopping for gifts as well

 16.)  Work with you and your goals be it relationship, career, self improvement etc, to show you what sort of looks might resonate with your desired outcome

 17.)   Help teach you about body language cues that you give that work and those that do not work

 18.)  Work with you to develop body language cues that will work on helping you obtain your goals

 19.)   Show you ways to soften / harden, make professional, seem more fun your image

 20.)  Work with you to set specific goals for yourself and create a timeline as well as steps in order to achieve your goals.


 See our other article to see what an Image Consultant can do your business and organization


 To obtain additional information about Image Consulting or to hire your own Image Consultant contact Trel at:

www.myeternalstyle.com

lvstyleconsultant@gmail.com

248.225.1781

Raw Survival Trend Fall / Winter 2009

Raw Survival

The feeling it elicits:

• Survivalist
  
• Natural
  
• Raw

How to wear it for your body type:

Short: Try a pair of rugged natural looking slim jeans in a deep gray, pair that with a neutral button down in a brown, throw a rugged worn leather jacket over top.

Tall: Wear a pair of motocross inspired pants (actual motocross pants are not suggested) just means interesting graphics throughout the pants, with a neutral colored t shirt, allow graphics on the shirt for added interest.

Average: Try a pair of natural colored slacks in a natural fabric like wool, linen or cotton, pair that with a cardigan in a natural color (gray, brown, tweed, cream) try a tribal inspired tee underneath.

Athletic: Wear some slim jeans that look semi destructed, pair that with a tribal inspired t shirt and a worn leather jacket.

Heavy: Wear a pair of neutral worn colored slacks, with a button down shirt in the same worn shirt. Pair this with a destructed leather jacket.

Thin: Try a pair of natural colored slacks paired with a tribal inspired shirt, throw a cable knit  cardigan over top for cool days.

Additional Notes:

• Primitive Fabrics
  
• Wear dusty colored neutrals
  
• Leather items with metal studs
  
• Primal graphics
  
• Motocross pants
  
• Tribal Prints
  

Classic Trend Fall / Winter 2009

Classic

The feeling it elicits:

• Traditional
  
• Elegant
  

How to wear it for your body type:

Short: You will look fantastic in a slim cut vertical pinstripe suit. Keep the colors dark on the suit and pair the look with a brighter shirt underneath and classic styled tie.

Tall: Choose a pair of worsted slacks in a dark muted color like a charcoal, pair this with a slim cut plaid shirt.

Average: Try a dark wool belted waist coat. Pair this with slim cut worsted wool slacks. 

Athletic: Wear a pair of slim cut slacks with a sweater in a natural wool fabric. Be sure the sweaters pattern remains conservative and traditional like the Fair Isle sweater featured above.

Heavy: Take advantage of all the vertical stripes featured in this look. Be sure to get a dark suit with very fine vertical stripes, (large stripes will make you look bigger). Pair this with a dark shirt underneath and a dark slim tie. This season we can do dark on dark on dark.

Thin: Wear a highly textured sweater (cable knit) in a dark color under a light wool coat. Pair this with some worsted wool slacks.

Additional Notes:

• Make use of dark muted colors
  
• Pin collars - a strong collar is very important in this look
  
• Tweeds
  
• Waist coats are rather prevalent in this look
  
• Tailored structure is very important - make sure the suit fits well
  

Military Trend Fall / Winter 2009

Military

The feeling it elicits:

• Tough
• Regal
• Patriotic

How to wear it for your body type:

Short: Keep it streamlined. Try a hard edged military inspired shirt with a protective collar, and perhaps even a bit of insignia paired with a military inspired pair of slacks in a similar color, allow the slacks to be a bit relaxed but not loose.

Tall: Tall men can try a navy inspired knit in horizontal stripes (horizontal is key) paired with cargo pants.

Average: Wear an officer inspired jacket with a standard collared shirt underneath and some relaxed wool slacks.

Athletic: Take advantage of the long great coats that are available but be sure to wear it belted, pair that with a pair of rustic wool slacks.

Heavy: To achieve this look try a collared shirt under a office inspired jacket with vertical details. Wear the jacket open to create additional vertical lines. Pair this with rustic wool slacks that have a light vertical pattern.

Thin: Make good use of naval inspired knits (a bulky knit is preferred), pair this with some light cargo pants.

Additional Notes:

• Try to work in understated military details
• An embroidered insignia or baroque patterns is a great way to add military details
• A personalized dog tag adds a a bit personality
• This is a very clean pressed hard edged look

High Performance Trend Fall / Winter 2009

High Performance

The feeling it elicits:

• Athletic
  
• Clean
  
• Streamlined
  

How to wear it for your body type:

Short: Try a zip up jacket paired with athletic pants in the same color with a stripe down each side. For days that you cannot wear athletic pants choose a straight slack in the same color.

Tall: Enjoy some of the geometric patterned jackets available. Pair this jacket with either athletic pants (avoid stripes down the side) or slacks in a different color. Regular slacks will require a wide cuff at the bottom.

Average: Wear a baseball jacket with a pair of athletic pants or well - tailored pants.

Athletic: Try a tailored jersey that will accentuate your broad shoulders and your trim waist. Pair this with straight athletic pants or well - tailored slacks.

Heavy: For a streamlined look try a tailored jersey jacket with matching athletic pants. A stripe up the side will help to elongate the body. You may also wear tailored slacks in the same color as the jacket.

Thin: Create the illusion of bulk using light colors up top on a jersey with geometric patterns. This can be coupled with athletic pants in a different color or well - tailored slacks.

Additional Notes:

• Popular colors for this look are blue, gray, birch, raven, and teaberry pink
  
• Be sure the lines are super clean and sleek
  
• Use performance fabrics
  
• Baseball styling is popular
  
• Geometric patterns can be used as well
  

Male Body Shapes

Males it is your turn. Just as we went through the trends for Fall / Winter 2009 for the ladies last week we will now have a look at the trends for you now! Like the ladies we will break these trends down into suggestions for your body type. Have a look below to find your specific shape.

Short – 5’6” and under

http://java-girl.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/harry-potter-daniel-radcliffe-half-blood-prince.jpg

Tall – 6’4” and above

http://www.dosomething.org/files/prince-william-harry-400ds0.jpg

Average – Between 5’7” and 6’3”, average weight

http://zin3.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/cruise-y-denzel.jpg

Athletic – Muscular build

http://api.ning.com/files/TZ-GFqg3jT9p*9vrX-tGZX93v7DjsK7Bqi-EWLQSMM4rUSUZGobgWqCrpCsM-j6FW4aNzc0CosdWnlFcRCF5gpdS72pkEeKB/ll_cool_j_shirtless_5.jpg

Heavy – Above average weight

            http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/lb/kevin_james_200309/kevin_james_2338295.jpg

Thin – Below average weight

http://www.adrien-brody.org/  

Comfort Grunge Trend Fall / Winter 2009

We have reached our final trend: 6 of 6 for this Fall / Winter of 2009. The Comfort grunge look is a throw back to the 90's integrating knits, plaids, metals, and shoe boots. I am sure that at this point you have noticed that a good deal of these items will overlap from category to another.  That is a great thing, as it will give you opportunities to mix and match creating various looks to suit your mood. Again, Trel has given some suggestions on how to wear this look for your body type. Have fun and let us know if you have questions. 

Comfort Grunge

Feelings it elicits:

•             Comfort
  
•             Nostalgia
  
•             Unisex
  

Achieve this look for your shape:

Hourglass

Try a plaid dress that cinches in at the waist. Throw a cable knit cardigan over top for cool days, pair this look with thick soled shoe boots.

Triangle

Wear a plaid shirt up top with a pair of straight leg rustic wool slacks in a darker color like gray, navy, or black. This can be paired with a wool jacket with contrast facing up top. Be sure the jacket has a strong shoulder. Pair this look with a pair of fun heels.

V

Throw on a knit top up top with a cardigan for cold days. For your lower half try a ruffled mini, pair this with shoe boots.

O

Wear a knit top with lace detailing up top; pair this with a mohair jacket that reaches down to the hip line. Pair this with rustic wool slacks and a pair of heels.

Rectangle

Take advantage of the long plaid shirts that are available. Pair this shirt with black leggings, and a contrast-facing jacket in a straight cut. This should be worn with shoe boots.

Accessories

•             Canvas Bag
  
•             Shoe Boots
  
•             Cable Knits
  
•             Cardigans
  
•             Mohair Jacket
  
•             Plaids
  
•             Weaves
  
•             Rustic Wool
  
•             Contrast Facing (under cuffs, etc)
  

            

Elegant Warrior Trend Fall / Winter 2009

 We have now approached our 5th of 6 trends for this Fall / Winter season. I hope that you are getting some great ideas now, and starting to understand how to dress your body shape in a way that is flattering. Our fifth trend is Elegant Warrior. This is basically taking that tough rocker look and making a little fancier. This look is also meant to make a bit of a statement.  

Elegant Warrior 

The feelings it elicits:

• Influential
  
• Tough
  
• Regal

Achieve this look for your shape:

Hourglass

To wear this look as an hourglass, try a sequence jersey shirt over a skirt of jersey material. Pull it all in at the waist with a metal studded belt.

Triangle

As a triangle have fun with a structured biker jacket over a printed jersey shirt. Pair this with a straight skirt or slacks to complete the look.

V

To don this look as a V take full advantage of a biker vest over a jersey shirt as well. You may pair this with sequence leggings or a slimmer cut pant. For those who have a waist to show off throw on a metal studded belt as well.

O

O’s will want to throw on a jersey top with a fun vertical print, pair that with a slimmer cut slacks to show off your legs.

Rectangle

Rectangles can wear the biker jacket over an asymmetrical dress. The dress should have some fun prints to keep the look youthful and interesting

Accessories

• Suede’s
• Studs
• Prints
  
• Feature Photo
  
• Sequins
  
• Hard ware
• Reptile Capulet  

Opulent Rocker Trend Fall / Winter 2009

The 4th of 6 trends for Women this Fall / Winter of 2009 is the Opulent Rocker. The look personally reminds me of the interior of an old Russian Palace with an edgy rocker attitude, translated into actual garments. That is a mouthful however, it seems the best way that I can describe this look. Again, as with the rest of our guide take a look at your body type to get suggestions on how to wear this look while flattering your shape. The body shape guide for those who are new is located in the 40's post. Contact me if you have any questions lvstyleconsultant@gmail.com

Opulent Rocker

The feeling it elicits:

• Luxurious
  
• Rocker
  

Achieve this look for your shape:

Hourglass

The baroque rock is yet another waist cinched trend that will look great on you. Take advantage of the corset in a furniture inspired fabric, pair this with some leather boot cut pants or a straight skirt.

Triangle

A great thing about this look for you is that they included the tulip skirt, which narrows at the waist and billows away from your lower half. Wear this paired with lingerie inspired top that includes decorative details such as lace or interesting trimmings for a put together look.

V

As a V you will want to take advantage of the leather pants and wear those pants with a shirt that has metallic details. Try a blazer constructed of furniture inspired fabrics for chilly days.

O

O’s will also want to take advantage of the leather pants in a slimmer cut. You will want to pair this rock inspired top including metal studs or a rock inspired graphic that comes past the waist. For those who choose to wear the leather pants please do not pair this with a leather jacket as well, instead opt for a dark blazer.

Rectangle

Rectangles will want to take advantage of the body con dress thus creating curves and showing off your trim figure. For rectangles that are uncomfortable with the notion of a body con dress you may choose to wear the leather slacks with straight lingerie influenced blouse.

Accessories

•             Rock influence
  
•             Lace Boots
  
•             Decorative details
  
•             Metallic
  
•             Lingerie influence
  
•             Lace
  
•             Decorative Furniture Fabrics
  

Earthy Trend Fall / Winter 2009

As part of our trend series for Fall / Winter 2009 we are covering yet another prevalent trend for this season. As a reminder, the first two trends were the 40's and the 80's, now we are moving out of decade inspired fashion to natural inspiration. The trend we will look at today is Earthy. Earthy is a soft, draped trend. This trend will be very complimentary to those who are curvy as you will be able to wrap and drape over curves for comfortable sophisticated look. Again, if you are unsure of your body type please refer to the guide from the 40's post. Then look ahead and see the suggested looks for your body type in this look. For those who have questions please do not hesitate to contact me at lvstyleconsultant@gmail.com

Earthey by hla1998 featuring Dorothy Perkins

Earthy

The feeling it elicits:

            

• Comfort
  
• Soft
  

Achieve this look for your shape: 

Hourglass

As an hourglass you will want to take advantage of the wrap knits allowing them to drape around the waist thus showing off the waist. Wear the wrap as a dress or a top with a pair of cozy yet styled slacks. Keep the colors in the neutral earth tones and choose fur caplets and worn metal pieces to accessorize the look.

Triangle

As a triangle you may take advantage of some of the bulky pieces associated with this look and don them up top. These pieces include hooded cowls, fur caplets, and chunky knits. Pair these pieces with a straight slack or skirt. Worn metal pieces will make for nice accessories with these pieces to complete this look.

V

A V will want to steer clear of the bulky pieces up top, instead choose knits that are finer gauge and sleeker up top. You may want to pair this with the cashmere coat worn open, as this will create an additional diagonal line up top. As a V you may also want to pair this with a somewhat bulkier knit skirt for additional texture. 

O

As an O the pieces that allow for draping and wrapping in this look will complement your shape rather well. Steer clear of the extremely bulky pieces and opt for a finer gauge knit. Allow the piece to drape over the waistline and pair this with a slimmer slack, or a nice straight skirt that ends at the knee.

Rectangle

As a rectangle you will want to take advantage of all the draping in this look however, you will want to make an effort to keep the lines straight so avoid wrapping the fabrics around the body. Instead choose a cashmere jacket worn over an earthy knit and wear this with a straight wool slack.

Accessories

• Fur
  
•             Hoods
  
•             Worn Metals