Truly Styled

My Favorite Magazines...

There are so many magazines to consider when thinking about fashion, beauty and just plain fun I thought I'd share my top 5.

1.  More Magazine is my pick!!  I used to think it was for "old women" but then I became one of those so called "old women" and thought I should give it a try.  It's for the fabulous and over 40 woman and I've been reading it a couple of years before my big 4-0 to better understand some of my clients.  What they were facing with fashion, beauty and self-esteem.  Reading this  before my 40th made turning 40 that much more exciting!  This magaizine is about being amazing in your 40's and beyond.  Embracing your age, dressing sexy, being sexy, taking care of yourself and so much more.  This is the magazine that the first moment I take it out of the mailbox I'm flipping through it.  It is now my gift to friends turning 40.  It's embowering with great information.

2.  Real Simple.  Love everything about this magazine.  I feel like it covers everything.  Fashion, food, health, beauty, and household ideas.

3.  InStyle.  A good stand-by.  I like the section where they break down a style trend into your 20's, 40's, 60's.  I think their beauty advice is great and the style section's good too.  Different price points for everyone and not overly trendy.

4.  Harper's Bazaar.   You have to look at it with a skewed eye.  Most of us can't afford $1,000 for a t-shirt but I like to know what's in and out and this is a great magazine to do that.

5.  Us Magazine.  I love magazines about celebrities.  Ok, I've said it.  I love reading about other people's lives (which may be why I'm addicted to anything on Bravo with the title "Housewives of ...").  Just a fun, quick, mindless read.  Used to love People Magazine, but too many "feel good" stories and when you want to read about the celebrity world you don't want to read about ordinary people doing great things.  Well, I don't anyway.

Aging Gracefully?

I had an interesting weekend that I thought I'd share with you.  My husband and I are blessed enough to have the most fun, loving friends on the planet.  For years we've been getting together as couples or splitting up for girls trips/nights out or golf trips for the guys.  Every so often all 6 couples get 12 bleacher seats and hit Wrigley Field.  This year started out as fun as past years.  The guys sat in one grouping on the left and the girls (how long can I use the term "girls"?) sat on the right.  The guys spent the entire game gambling and pouring water on each other (did I mention most of us have hit 40 or are near?) while the girls chatted, drank beer and talked with the young group of guys on our left.  There were about 6 of them in their mid-20's.  Darling!!  Asked questions as if they were interested in our boring lives and we answered as if our lives were as exciting as a 25 year old starting a new career and living single in the city.  It all started out fun, light hearted and lots of teasing but somehow the teasing took a bad turn.  I asked one of them to take a picture of the 6 of us.  We re-applied lip gloss and made sure he got our best angle considering we were in bright sun in the bleachers.  We were all posed and thinking we looked hot (I don't mean sweating) when one of the "darling" boys said "Smile desperate housewives!"  It was as if someone threw water on us.  We glared at him and one of them said "No, he meant hot housewives!".  Needless to say the damage was done.  He busted us.  We were thinking we were hip, cool, and young when we are really married, old(er) and trying to stay hip.  We brushed it off as the pros we are and just got another beer.  The fun continued when the 25 year old asked me what it was like growing up in the 80's?  Another slap of reality.  I remember asking my mom what it was like growing up in the 50's.  I am now that woman who gets asked what it was like growing up in a certain decade.  When did that happen?  I still feel like I'm 20 something (most days). 

I went out to celebrate a friend turning 40 with a couple of friends last week and we were talking about what it is like to be 40.  What does it mean to us?  It was a a great discussion and I'll tell you it wasn't anything about wrinkles, sagging boobs/knees/arms...or gray hair.  It was about feeling sexy, sexier than we did in our 20's.  It was about feeling like we didn't have to get anyone's approval anymore, we were free to be who we want to be and not who someone or society is telling us to be.  So, I will gladly tell someone what it was like to grow up in the 80's.  I'm not 40 yet (2 more months) but when I am I'll let you know if I still believe this : )

My New Favorite Makeup Find

I have said it before and it needs repeating.  I am not a beauty editor (but I'm starting to feel like one).  I love makeup, skincare, anything that will make me feel more beautiful.  I love to try something new, get a pick me up from a new gloss to something more of an investment like skincare. 

I went to visit one of my best friends for her surprise 40th birthday party (more on that fun trip later!) and she was primping in the bathroom (she has always been known to have a full makeup counter with her at all times) and she's swirling this powder all over her face for a flawless finish.  I ask her what she is doing and she starts gushing over Bare Escentuals.  She said she is completely sold on it.  Her skin looks amazingly smooth, not too made up, it's glowing!  Needless to say I'm sold!

I go to Sephora although I saw it at Target.  I always like to see the makeup on me before I make an investment.  Anyway, I get a makeup artist who is trained in this makeup line to tell me what all the talk is about.  He starts swirling away on my face once we have determined the best color package for my skin and I'm shocked!  My skin has never looked so smooth yet natural before!  It covers all my skin imperfections (which he calls freckles instead of sun spots, I love him!) and redness for what I can only say makes my skin look radiant.  It's made of pure crushed minerals from the earth and has SPF of 15.  I  got the package for my face but there are also packages for eyes as well.  I get home to put everything away and find it comes with a DVD.  I just can't bring myself to take 60 minutes to learn how to apply makeup and I think I'm doing ok without it. 

I went with the starter kit which appears to be the best value. You can go to  www.sephora.com to find out more information on what it comes with.

I completely recommend trying this makeup!  It has withstood the heat of a street fair with out melting off my face (and I'm a sweat-er).  I actually had a friend I haven't seen in awhile ask me why at my age I don't have many wrinkles.  I replied that some of it is the good genes I got from my parents, my Arbonne skincare line I use and this miracle makeup system called Bare Escentuals.

The Great White Pant...

So, if you've been following this blog you know I think the white pant is THE pant to have this season.  I have mentioned in another entry that Express has a great white jean.  I have found two more white pants that are worth posting about.

 Banana Republic has a great wide-leg white jean.  The waist is a bit higher which makes shorter legs look longer and those with a muffin top more comfortable.  It has white stiching on the jean which can make it look more like a pant than a jean.  Easy to dress up or down.

  Issac Mizrahi for Target has an amazing white sateen pant for $29.99.  They run a bit big so if you are usually a 6 go for a 4.  I usually have to have everything tailored and these fit me off the rack (although I'll have to wear a pretty high heel with them).  These too are higher waisted and have a cleaner look to them than a jean.  If you don't like the appearance of the pockets (and this goes for all white pants) just have your tailor remove them.

And one more tip, check your car seat before sitting in them.

Coming clean...

I worked in a tanning salon in high school.  I loved it!  People would come in for 30-45 sometimes 60 minute sessions.  They'd put their headphones on, slide their goggles on and off they'd go for the perfect tan.  Living in Wisconsin made it a pretty busy place.  I got to tan for free, lucky me.  30-45 minutes basking in light to get the year round tan.  I also did it in college so I basically was orange through the winter and tan during the summer.  I thought I was so hot!

Fast forward 20 years and the effects of tanning didn't really pay off.  I have broken capillaries on my cheeks, sun spots all over my already freckly face and other irreversible damage.  But when you are in your teens you don't care about long term effects, right?  Just live in the moment! 

I have to come clean to you all today.  I visited a tanning salon yesterday for the first time since college.  Something I vowed I'd never do again.  I have worked too hard to reverse the sun damage.  But let me start my excuses with what an absolutely horrible winter it's been in Chicago.  All of you who live here can attest that the lack of sun exposure we've had and continue to have almost into June is unbearable.  We are all going a bit crazy.  My other excuse is that I have a trip coming up which requires a swimsuit and this body needs some sort of color that self-tanner just isn't doing it.

So, my plan was to do a 10 minute tan in the booth (so much better than the 30-60 minute tans I used to do, the excuses are still going) and then do a mystic tan.  I have to admit that the 10 minutes was amazing!!!  At first all I thought about was the damage I was doing to my face, what I'd have to do and spend to repair it.  Then, I just relaxed.  The feel of the warmth, and the feeling of pretend sun was invigorating!  I have to admit that.  I kept telling myself it was only 10 minutes and this face hasn't seen sun since last Sept.  How bad could it be?

Then off to the Mystic Tan.  What a weird experience.  I was terrified of getting orange with horrible streaks running down my legs.  The whole experience took 14 seconds.  I felt like I was in a car wash.  It was sticky and weird but didn't smell and was painless.  I was instructed to rub off with a towel and not to miss one piece on my body( leaving the mystic goop on you is what can make the streaks and uneven look).  The tan settled in over the day (you are not allowed to enter water for 4 hours).  I don't look orange, it actually looks like I may have just returned from a beach vacation (oh the little lies we live). 

I'm not sure how long this will last.  They say 5ish days.  We'll see.  I may or may not do it again.  I'll keep you posted.  I feel better and it was easier yet more expensive than a self tanner and I don't feel like I smell like self tanner (I should ask my 5 year old, she is brutally honest).

So, still feeling a bit guilty about the tanning bed but I'll get over it.  I won't go a lot and promise not to become addicted (like the guy who checked me into the spa, he needs to back off a bit).  I feel better and sometimes it's the little things that can accomplish that, even if it's for a bit.

PS.  I did wear sunscreen....

Becoming the Best Possible Me

I just returned from a Christian Women's retreat and it was so much more than I could have imagined.  We discussed many things but one section in particular made me think of my work as a personal wardrobe consultant/stylist.  The title of this session was "Becoming the Best Possible Me".  The speaker was Leslie Vernick and she was really amazing!  The questions she asked was "Am I the best possible version of myself?  Am I working as hard on my inside as my outside?" 

This discussion was centered around God and was I really dependent on God and was my ultimate goal to please him.  After I had time to think about all this and what it meant to me I started thinking about my clients.  Those women I have worked with that were tired of looking in the mirror and seeing someone they no longer recognized or even liked much any more.  The ones who hated their new bodies after having beautiful babies.  The ones who were hiding themselves behind clothes that were way too big because they were ashamed of their womanly shape.  These women knew something had to change and asked me to help them.  Help them find a bit of themselves again.  Help them feel more comfortable in the mirror when they would see their reflection, maybe even like what they saw. 

But you know what?  It doesn't end with the clothes.  We don't buy a book just because the cover is good do we?  No, we buy a book because the content is good.  The cover may entice us a bit at the start but if the content is no good neither is the book.  It's what is inside that really counts.  I will say that my experience has been that once we get these woman seeing themselves as the beautiful women that they are they change.  They are more comfortable, less shy, more excited to go out with their spouses or on dates, not embarrassed at school functions or work related events.  But it can't end there.  Even with the new clothes and a bit of the new attitude that can come with them sometimes that's not enough to snuff out the old thoughts and old nature.  That takes work.  It's one whole package.  Being whole inside and out.

I've always said clothes should not define us but they can make us feel a bit better.  But do we want to settle for "a bit" better?  No!  Change your inner voices.  Spend time meditating on God's word about how much he loves you and cares for you, take extra time to read, exercise, be with good friends who lift us up not tear us down.  Become the best possible you both inside and out!  It's work but it's worth it in the long run.  Be a great read, not just a good book cover.

Having a personal shopper for a day

I had a personal shopper for one day and what fun was that!!!  Seriously, I knew there was a reason I have been super busy.  There had to be a need for it, right?  Having experienced a bit of it myself now I know why.  It is so much fun to shop with someone who knows your body, knows what could look good on you and bring it all to you and then gush over how great you look!  I should charge more : ).

My mom's friend, who we really call an aunt she is so close to us, lives in Carmel, CA and we went for a visit.  We spent two days shopping and I have to say at first I really didn't feel like it.  I shop approximately 3 days a week so I could've been happy sitting in an outdoor cafe with wine frankly.  But there was something appealing to just browsing and looking for myself.  After helping everyone else find cute things I was finding I couldn't pull the trigger on anything.  I didn't really "need" anything, so I was happy to just look.  Then we went into Anthropologie and that store is sooo cute I couldn't resist to pull a few things for myself.  Well, while I was trying on my items, my aunt had been browsing the store and came into the dressing room with dresses for both my sister and I to try on.  They were so cute!!!  Both dresses fit perfectly (although of course I will need to shorten mine!), were comfortable and there is something great about having someone along to give you encouragement and make you just feel pretty! 

So, for those of you who think you don't need someone along to shop, try again!  Bring a friend you trust or find someone who knows your style, figure and is just plain fun and give it a try!  I wish she lived closer, I'd have her shop with me all the time! 

A new venture, men...

So, I worked with  my first male client a few weeks back and just completed the session.  When I decided that working with males would be a slam dunk to add to my work with women my husband was more than skeptical.  One question that came to mind was how was I going to feel about being in a man's bedroom while he changed his clothes, alone?  Good question and one I hadn't thought about.  My solution, if the client is married the wife will need to be present, at least in the house.  For those I meet that do not have a spouse or partner I will bring someone.  His other more pressing question was "Do you really think you know what's important to men?"  I replied, "After living with you for 9 years and watching you finally release yourself from way too big clothes I'm guessing comfort?".  Bingo!  So, I started studying and I am here to tell you that a man does not have to look sloppy to be comfortable.

My first visit with my male client (who was a spouse of a client and actually asked her for my information) was what I expected.  Way too big clothes and a need for updating.  The easy thing for men is that they don't really need that much to look great (yes, I'm jealous).  We don't necessarily need to pour over skin care, hair, makeup, dresses, skirts, etc...Keep to the basics and they will look fabulous.

So, we threw out everything outdated and too big (which was a lot) and I made a list of what I believed would complete his wardrobe and make him feel great when he took his wife out to dinner.  I emailed pictures of what I meant when I said "a straight leg, dark wash jean" and a "fitted shirt with color".  I was meeting with his wife later in the month and he met us first bogged down with bags of new jeans, shirts and shoes.  He tried them all on for us and he did awesome!!!  He looked leaner, hipper and was still comfortable. 

I got an email from his wife the night after they had friends over for dinner and she said "I kept looking at him and thinking I've never seen him look this good!  I guess I didn't even realize how big his clothes were."  Both looking great, thus feeling great = happy, happy, happy!  Mission accomplished!!

I have a PASSION for FASHION

I'll admit it -- I have a passion for fashion and helping people.  An addiction to accessories.  A walk-in-closet fantasy world. A desire to make sure people look as great as they are!   It started when I was very little.  Wearing my mom's high heels...staring at the fancy magazines...trying to figure out how to make anything look better than ever...telling my sister she looked horrible in something and finding something that looked so much better.

I started my own company, Truly Styled, of personal wardrobe consulting a few years ago in an effort to follow this passion.  And now it keeps me as busy as my two young kids! 

While I hate all-things-computer, I know I need to take the blog challenge and start sharing my tips and tales.  So here goes!  Come join me for the ride!